As most of you guys already know, this is my first exhibit ever.

I cant lie and say Im not shitting bricks at the thought of me showcasing my work and being the center of attention all night.

I cant lie and say Im sweating bullets when I think of the possibility of everyone saying my work sucks…

I cant lie and say also not excited as schmuck for this event either.

This exhibit was the eventual plan for this collection of photos…I just never voiced. Gavin hit me up on it one day saying he had an idea for it. Im glad we were on the same page. In as matter of days, Gavin hits me and is like ok, so Johnny Hockins from MTV News is spinning, MTV is probably going to document it, I found the craziest venue for, I got a graphic designer…Im like…*jaw drops

I know you think this shouldnt sound like anything surprising, but I really mean it when I say that everyday is still a surprise to me. To know people are down to support you and help you out is one of the greatest feelings. I have one of the best families anyone could ever ask for. Even the thought of this exhibit showcasing my work is a bit surreal and overwhelming…

Dont be surprised if I have an anxiety attack and pass out in front of people next Saturday night.

And yes…I also took new shots for this collection that you guys havent seen yet.

I would like formally welcome all of you guys, my blog readers to attend my exhibit next Saturday. It would be an amazing to finally be able to put a face to so many of my commenters and readers. It would be an honor to have you guys in attendence, because without you, there would be no me. It just wouldnt be the same without you.

Thank you especially to Gavin for single handedly making all of this happen. You never cease to amaze me, brother.

Shout outs to my brothers Brock and T at 1LOVETO.com, Michelle and Kathleen of Brazen Hussy, Dre for the amazing flyer work, the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) and to Ashley MacIntyre for always being the awesomeness. I couldnt have done any of this without you guys…OH YEA! and thanks to Bryan Espirtu for always being the big brother I never had. You are my inspiration.

Below is the press info that Gavin put together for me.  Feel free to blog, re-blog, pass it on, post in your local bars washroom stall…whatever. lol

See y’all next week.

Peace and Love.

T’s and O’s.

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The Remix Project x Lost In The Willderness Presents:

“IN SEARCH OF GOTHAM”

Chris Bosh and one of The Remix Project’s official photographers William Nguyen launches debut photography exhibition in the cross streets of urban decay and urban renewal.

• Gotham City, a fictional city appearing in DC Comics, is best known as the home of Batman. Batman’s place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 (Winter 1940).

Reinterpreting Toronto as the mythical Gotham City, photographer William Nguyen highlights the Mega City’s gothic, seedier side giving us a glimpse of what Toronto might look like if the caped crusader indeed roamed our streets.

Believing firmly that we all have superheroes resting somewhere within our breast, William Nguyen’s “In Search of Gotham” exhibition is as much an expression of love for his city as much as it is a call to action to it’s citizens.

“I always loved batman growing up. For the obvious reason that he looked cool, but also because of what he represented. He’s an ordinary man, with no super powers. Fueled and motivated by the things that happened/are happening around him. He took action to change things, at the same time sacrificing his life. He sacrificed love, a personal life and maybe even a reputation for the greater good. The goal was to make a difference and inspire others when they had lost reason to believe in better things. I frequently assess my life and found some similarities. Obviously I’m not doing what batman does, but I am him, to a smaller degree, in my own way. And, if I am batman, than this, Toronto, is my Gotham City.

We can be anything we can imagine, the question is, when do we start converting our imagination to reality. This series is my attempt to realize that dream and show people that the fantastical exists in our everyday. We just need to recognize that.” – William Nguyen

Urban decay and potential meet seamlessly at “Unit C” located at 102 Ossington, Unit C for this exciting new show. A rough space of pockmarked concrete, old graffiti tags and sparkling new dry wall, “Unit C” on the developing Ossington strip is the perfect home for In Search of Gotham.

Music supplied by Johnny Hockin of MTV News

Artist, William Nguyen, in attendance.

A percentage of all sales will be donated to registered charity, The Remix Project.

More about The Remix Project:

The Remix Project is dedicated to ensuring Toronto’s most talented, aspiring young creative minds are given the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

A registered charity, The Remix Project is a priority project of the Mayor’s “Community Safety Secretariat” and an award-winning partner of UN Habitat’s “Safe Cities Programme”. The project ensures personal responsibility and skill development while giving each participant the opportunity to follow their own passions, on their own terms. Participants are paired with industry professionals in a unique mentorship program. This unique program grants unprecedented access to the recording, creative and cultural business industries, ensuring the highest quality of education through our hands-on approach.

Throughout The Remix Project, we not only hope to empower youth from priority neighbourhoods, we also seek to inspire Torontonians from across our city to give back.

ARTIST BIO:

William Nguyen known to many as “Photo Will” (as dubbed by Drake in “I’m Still Fly”), has become one of Toronto’s leading event photographers. The personal photographer of Chris Bosh of the Toronto Raptors, Will has also photographed for concerts/shows by the likes of the Rza, N.E.R.D, Fabolous, Swizz Beats, Common, Lupe Fiasco, Rick Ross, Alicia Keys, Clipse, Lil’ John, Kid Cudi, The Veronicas, Keys N Krates and Kim Kardashian.

His fashion show portfolio includes shooting lookbooks for Ransom’s Spring/Summer and Fall Winter 2008, Brazen Hussy’s Spring/ Summer 2010 lookbook and fashion show and the Greta Constantine Spring/Summer 2010 fashion show. He recently finished a photoshoot for DJ Whoo Kid of G-Unit records.

In addition, he has worked alongside music video director, RT to cover the behind the scene stills for Snoop Dogg’s “Hot Girl” Video. Will is also the personal photographer of the Bossy Girls (stylists) whenever they are on music video sets. He has documented various press conferences and worked with Sol Guy from the 4REAL TV series from MTV. He has also shot for Timex Group’s Marc Ecko Watches, BMW Group’s MINI and special events sponsored by Absolute and Smirnoff Vodkas, Fuze Beverages, Budweiser and the Buffalo Bills. Will also works closely alongside 1loveto.com as the main photographer.

The importance of giving back strongly ingrained in him as an alumni of Toronto’s The Remix Project, Will used both his experiences at Remix as well as his degree in Urban Geography to found a photojournalism program called Concrete Willderness in association with the Remix Project which he continues to run today.

Will has gained a lot of success through his blog, www.lostinthewillderness.com with an average of 50,000 hits monthly. Will has branched out into promotion and coordinated events such as Drake’s 22nd Birthday Event and collaborated on fashion shows and live art installments.