Strange(r) People

I’m back!

I think the major reason it’s been so long since I’ve updated is the weather. I tend to ask the questions to people walking through the streets of Toronto and I figured people wouldn’t want to stop in the cold to answer them.

… I could be using that as an excuse but I did become pretty busy with work and life.

Now… enough excuse making. Here I am with another update!

It was super nice outside the other day so I decided to get out and ask questions directly related to the weather. Pretty lighthearted questions.

Q. How do you feel about it being +10 in mid February?

A. It’s awesome! I can walk places instead of taking the streetcar.

Q. Do you feel the weather today has any relation to global warming? If so, how do you feel about that?

A. It could be but the groundhog did see his shadow!

Q. Do you enjoy winter?

A. Only when there’s snow so I can do the winter sports that come along with it. Otherwise… I hate it.

Q. Do you feel you get cases of “the winter blues”? How does it effect your day to day life?

A. Of course! It makes me so tired and I don’t get out running like I would in the summer.

Q. What’s your favourite thing about the summer and the warm weather?

A. It’s a good time to explore the nice weather. I like getting out and walking around new parts of the city.

Q. Are you happy? 

Yes.

Q. How do you feel about it being +10 mid February?

A. I like it! I’m not from here so I don’t know really know what’s normal. It’s nice after the chilly weather but I’m pretty sure it’s strange.

Q. Do you feel the weather today has any relation to global warming? If so, how do you feel about that?

A. I think it is, yes. I don’t support it - I try my best to make changes around my house and whatever I can do to prevent it. I don’t have the answers on how to fix it but if I did I would try my best to.

Q. Do you enjoy winter?

A. Yeah! It was challenging to bike around the city and I enjoyed that challenge. It encourages me to push myself.

Q. Do you feel you get cases of “the winter blues”? How does it effect your day to day life?

A. For sure! In mid-december I just wanted to stay home but that was only for like two days.

Q. What’s your favourite thing about the summer and the warm weather?

A. Going swimming in the lakes! I farm in the summer and it’s rewarding swimming in the lakes after a long day of work.

Q. Are you happy? 

A. Yes!

Q. How do you feel about it being +10 mid February?

A. Awesome!

Q. Do you feel the weather today has any relation to global warming? If so, how do you feel about that?

A. Yeah, I think it does. I actually didn’t think about that until you asked!

Q. Do you enjoy winter?

A. Yes and no. I do like winter but I really like the weather right now.

Q. Do you feel you get cases of “the winter blues”? How does it effect your day to day life?

A. Not really… never have!

Q. What’s your favourite thing about the summer and the warm weather?

A. Beer outside!

Q. Are you happy? 

Yes

Q. How do you feel about it being +10 mid February?

A. Makes me hopefully for life.

Q. Do you feel the weather today has any relation to global warming? If so, how do you feel about that?

A. This world is going to go on with us or without us. I’m just happy in the warmth.

Q. Do you enjoy winter?

A. Yeah, especially christmas because of the christmas spirit.

Q. Do you feel you get cases of “the winter blues”? How does it effect your day to day life?

A. Yes… and yes but then I have to remember that my life is pretty fucking awesome.

Q. What’s your favourite thing about the summer and the warm weather?

A. Well i’m from BC so I don’t know about the summers here but my favourite thing about BC summers is the cooking and wine. Life is all about drinking wine and passing time!

Q. Are you happy? 

A. Yes.

Q. How do you feel about it being +10 mid February?

A. Excited about it! I actually really like this.

Q. Do you feel the weather today has any relation to global warming? If so, how do you feel about that?

A. Yes! Makes me nervous.

Q. Do you enjoy winter?

A. No… it eats my shoes.

Q. Do you feel you get cases of “the winter blues”? How does it effect your day to day life?

A. Especially in February…you can just see that people are generally more sad.

Q. What’s your favourite thing about the summer and the warm weather?

A. The sun!

Q. Are you happy? 

A. Yes.

Q. How do you feel about it being +10 mid February?

A. Amazing!

Q. Do you feel the weather today has any relation to global warming? If so, how do you feel about that?

A. Totally! Kind of scary!

Q. Do you enjoy winter?

A. Sorta… I don’t like walking in the cold, tho.

Q. Do you feel you get cases of “the winter blues”? How does it effect your day to day life?

A. Yes. It slows me down.

Q. What’s your favourite thing about the summer and the warm weather?

A. The vibe.

Q. Are you happy? 

A. Yes.

Nuit Blanche is an all night art festival held in downtown Toronto. More info can be found at… http://www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca/home.shtml.

The night was extremely hectic/fast so I only shot two questions at people. They’re good, tho.

Q. Are you an artist? If so, what is your form of art?

A. Yes, I’m a learning artist but I went to school for computers. I’m a classical artist.

Q. How do you feel your art affects the world around you?

A. I feel it allows you to communicate with people. It lets you get past the trivial stuff and focus on the important.

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Q. Are you an artist? If so, what is your form of art?

A.  Yes, I do print… t-shirts/comics and stuff.

Q. How do you feel your art affects the world around you?

A. I particularly like selling it on the street like this because it gets further than the rich peoples homes. There’s more interaction with the people… that’s what the streets are about for me.

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Q. Are you an artist? If so, what is your form of art?

A. I’m a DJ. I play laptop music.

Q. How do you feel your art affects the world around you?

A. I play for my six friends. That’s all that matters. 

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Q. Are you an artist? If so, what is your form of art?

A. Yes, I’m an art director in advertising.

Q. How do you feel your art affects the world around you?

A. I influence culture by creating billboards and TV commercials. 

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Q. Are you an artist? If so, what is your form of art?

A. Yes! I put shit on cardboard.

Q. How do you feel your art affects the world around you?

A. I’m just trying to get more attention than anyone else at Nuit Blanche.

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Q. Are you an artist? If so, what is your art form?

A. Yes. My art form is light… illumination.

Q. How do you feel your art affects the world around you?

A. It brings a smile to peoples faces.

Q. If you had the opportunity to provide everyone in the world with one object, what would that object be?

A. A phone.

Q. If you could have absolutely anything (other than money) right now, what would it be?

A. A boyfriend.

Q. If you had to rid everyone in the world of one emotion, what would that emotion be?

A. Sadness.

Q. If you had the opportunity to speak to anyone in the world, who would it be and what would you say?

A. Audrey Hepburn and I’d tell her that I love her.

Q. If you could spread one message to everyone in the world, what would that message be?

A. “Always love”

Q. Are you happy?

A. Yes.

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Q. If you had the opportunity to provide everyone in the world with one object, what would that object be?

A. A camera. It’s the ability to reflect on your own and others experiences. It’s a great form of expression.

Q. If you could have absolutely anything (other than money) right now, what would it be?

A. A huge group of friends that are dedicated and enthusiastic. A group to work on projects with

… although I already have that. More is always better.

Q. If you had to rid everyone in the world of one emotion, what would that emotion be?

A. Indifference… I’m glad I came up with that.

Q. If you had the opportunity to speak to anyone in the world, who would it be and what would you say?

A. My grandfather because he passed away when I was younger. I’d just talk to him man to man.

Q. If you could spread one message to everyone in the world, what would that message be?

A. Be passionate.

Q. Are you happy?

A. Yes.

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Q. If you had the opportunity to provide everyone in the world with one object, what would that object be?

A. A Bike.

Q. If you could have absolutely anything (other than money) right now, what would it be?

A. A random plane ticket. Like, if I just found one on the ground.

Q. If you had to rid everyone in the world of one emotion, what would that emotion be?

A. Contempt.

Q. If you had the opportunity to speak to anyone in the world, who would it be and what would you say?

A. The Pope and I’d just ask him “why?”

Q. If you could spread one message to everyone in the world, what would that message be?

A. You can be happy, no matter what.

Q. Are you happy?

A. Yes.

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Q. If you had the opportunity to provide everyone in the world with one object, what would that object be?

A. An invisible object that that they can create to be whatever they want it to be.

Q. If you could have absolutely anything (other than money) right now, what would it be?

A. Peace of mind… wait, I have that… A greater ability to live in the moment.

Q. If you had to rid everyone in the world of one emotion, what would that emotion be?

A. Initially I thought that that’s not fair… we need them to grow. But, if I were to choose it’d be hopelessness.

Q. If you had the opportunity to speak to anyone in the world, who would it be and what would you say?

A. God. I’d ask him if I’m on track.

Q. If you could spread one message to everyone in the world, what would that message be?

A. You’re exactly where you’re meant to be in this very moment.

Q. Are you happy?

A. Yes.

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Q. If you had the opportunity to provide everyone in the world with one object, what would that object be?

A. Food.

Q. If you could have absolutely anything (other than money) right now, what would it be?

A. I have family… I have love… I’d say a house.

Q. If you had to rid everyone in the world of one emotion, what would that emotion be?

A. Hate.

Q. If you had the opportunity to speak to anyone in the world, who would it be and what would you say?

A. My mother, who’s deceased. I’d tell her that although I haven’t been to your grave site I still think of you every day.

Q. If you could spread one message to everyone in the world, what would that message be?

A. Can’t we all just get along?

Q. Are you happy?

A. Yes.

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Q. If you had the opportunity to provide everyone in the world with one object, what would that object be?

A. Dick.

Q. If you could have absolutely anything (other than money) right now, what would it be?

A. Just a nice day.

Q. If you had to rid everyone in the world of one emotion, what would that emotion be?

A. Nervousness. The majority are either nervous or unsatisfied.

Q. If you had the opportunity to speak to anyone in the world, who would it be and what would you say?

A. Christina Aguilera and I’d tell her to take me on a date.

Q. If you could spread one message to everyone in the world, what would that message be?

A. Don’t trust anybody.

Q. Are you happy?

A. Yes.

An introduction… Through this project I plan to integrate my love of portrait photography with my curiosity of the people around me. Through meeting people I hope to further open peoples minds to the differences between individuals and to hopefully ask the person a question that sparks a thought past our 10 minute interaction.

By combining my passion for photography and my love of people I’ve decided to create Strange(r) People.

Strange(r) People is about comparing peoples thoughts and outlooks while giving them meaning through relating them to a portrait. By putting a face to the answers I hope to increase the meaning and impact of each response. Also, Strange(r) People will never release the name of the person - it’s both completely irrelevant and it may also cause some privacy issues.

This is just the beginning of Strange(r) People and it will probably change in a few ways over time. I will hopefully post a new update each week and with each update will probably come an improvement to the blog. Strange(r) People is also a way for me to further practice my portraiture skills; depending on my mood that week the photos could be shot completely different than the week before. I also plan on changing at least one of the questions each week and that will also depend on my mood, interest, or perspective that week.

If anyone has any questions to recommend I would love to hear them! If you’re curious about other peoples perspectives on something e-mail me the question (contact@dylanleeder.com) and it may end up answered!

So, introducing for the first time… Strange(r) People:

Q. Where are you going?

A. Nowhere, I’m painting.

Q. What do you do?

A. I’m an artist. Yeah, I paint.

Q. When you were a kid what did you want to do when you grew up?

A. Be the Prime Minister.

Q. What is one thing you think the world could do without?

A. Religion.

Q. Where is your favorite place to be?

A. Vancouver Island

Q. Are you happy?

A. Yes.

Q. Where are you going?.

A. book store.

Q. What do you do?

A. Environmental design student.

Q. When you were a kid what did you want to do when you grew up?

A. Study dinosaurs and cars.

Q. What is one thing you think the world could do without?

A. Cars. They’re completely destructive and shouldn’t have been invented.

Q. Where is your favorite place to be?

A. My Nana’s house or the city - I need them both.

Q. Are you happy?

A. I’d say right in the middle.

Q. Where are you going?

A. To Korea Town.

Q. What do you do?

A. I’m a nurse.

Q. When you were a kid what did you want to do when you grew up?

A. Be an astronaut.

Q. What is one thing you think the world could do without?

A. Politicians - because they take so much of our money. We should make our decisions ourselves.

Q. Where is your favorite place to be?

A. Back home in the Philippines.

Q. Are you happy?

A. Yes.

Q. Where are you going?

A. To a good friends.

Q. What do you do?

A. I’m a musician - synth and keys.

Q. When you were a kid what did you want to do when you grew up?

A. A super hero… and when I was in grade six I wanted to be a plumber.

Q. What is one thing you think the world could do without?

A. Keys - so people never locked their doors. I wish we didn’t have to.

Q. Where is your favorite place to be?

A. In the kitchen with friends or… the bathroom with friends.

Q. Are you happy?

A. Yes.

Q. Where are you going?

A. Home.

Q. What do you do?

A. I’m a fine art student but I really enjoy sending strangers letters. I call it Burden Box… (Check it out! http://burdenbox.blogspot.com/)

Q. When you were a kid what did you want to do when you grew up?

A. Famous - but that’s completely changed… I’d say it’s the opposite now.

Q. What is one thing you think the world could do without?

A. Smell - not that I really want that.

Q. Where is your favorite place to be?

A. Anywhere there’s long grass.

Q. Are you happy?

A. I’m content.