Jon Sasaki, 2008
An all-night performance for Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2008, Saturday, October 4, 7PM until 7AM Sunday morning. Lamport Stadium, Toronto.
For “I Promise It Will Always Be This Way” twenty-six
costumed team mascots took the field at Lamport Stadium, attempting
to whip the crowd into a fervent frenzy. Throughout the twelve-hour
endurance piece, they pulled out all the stops with their mascot shenanigans,
while "Jock Rock" played over the loudspeakers. As the night
progressed and physical fatigue began to set in, the mascots required
cigarettes, naps, snacks and bathroom breaks. Plush heads were removed
and mascot illusions were broken, revealing the performers to be human
after all...capable of feeling cold and weary. However, flying in
the face of all expectations, the mascots' morale never dwindled.
An unbelievably supportive, ever-cheering, crowd reciprocated the
enthusiasm, creating a touchingly symbiotic back-and-forth of support.
What was intended to be a much darker comment on futility and pathos
ended up being a very moving moment of social generosity.
Mascots:
Natalie Beaujot, Jonathan Bower,
Erin Braam, Elisa Carchesio,
Marie Chidiac, Mike Delorme,
Amy Drover, Mike Dyment,
Terry Eaton, Heather Friesen,
Helen Garrioch, Nelson Gouveia,
Amanda Haller, Brandon Hoare,
Sabrina Jayabal, Max Klein,
Jason Kruszynski, Matt Miller,
Gin Murray, Sarah Portway,
Ian Roberts, Shara Rosko,
Miles Stemp, Aislinn Thomas,
Carolyn Tripp, Stephen Wicks.
Produced by Scotiabank Nuit Blanche,
Miki Stricker, Bill Zeilstra.
Curated by Dave Dyment
Camera: Sarah Nasby, Jon Sasaki, Murray Vallis, Benny Zenga, Christian Zenga
Thanks to everyone...on the field, behind the scenes and especially
in the stands.