Dave Dyment: "About Face" Lola Magazine # 10. Fall 2001

About Face

Mitch Robertson has long been producing work I have wanted to like more than I have. Early in his career he published a series of trading cards depicting famous Canadian Art Stars, and he was careful to include himself. The piece worked in its gentle mockery of the humble Canadian persona, but his true agenda was clear. He then mimicked the Hollywood maps of homes of the stars, with maps of Toronto that labeled the homes of local artists. Again, this came across as transparent. The maps were not so much a dialogue about art and fame, but about Robertson establishing his own fame.

But then there appears his elegant clothbound book, Stories for Grandchildren , and it is light years ahead of any of his previous output. It is a collection of single line "claims to fame." Robertson compiled over 400 "claims" and wisely avoided including his own. He did, however, set the tone for the work by outlining to participants what was expected with his own examples ("Mitch Robertson once sat on a couch next to Menswear"). Most explore this tenuous link to fame ("Rosie Thom lives next door to Annie Lennox's grandmother"), others highlight trifle achievements (Michael Buckland even fabricates a tale of stealing Scorcese's umbrella).

That Stories for Grandchildren could sit quite comfortably on a table at Urban Outfitters does not detract from its quality. It is both accessible and compelling. The entry by Evan Resnick - "had his picture taken with Oliver North even though he disliked him" - succinctly captures the true nature of fame. That it doesn't require respect, only recognition.

- Dave Dyment