URGENT EMAIL UPDATE FROM CAT AND BOYD, MAY 1, 2008:
In 2002, the Counting Past 2 TS/IS/TG Festival, was produced by Cat Grant and Boyd Kodak. It was a great time for all and funded for the first time by the Ontario and Toronto Arts Councils, and NOW Magazine. It screened at the renowned Bloor Street Cinema, with different themed programs for 7 days.
The festival has not taken place since 2002, due to a horrific event that happened to us. In 2003, our home and studio had to be evacuated as a result of toxic mould found behind the walls that could not be seen. It released an odourless gas vapour that contaminated the house, poisoned us and has left us very ill. We, with pathologist Dr. William Croft, put together a graphic comic with hand drawn and real photos. It can be downloaded for free at http://www.atoxictale.com. It contains information everyone should know about.
We, Cat Grant & Boyd Kodak (aka Jan Waterman), have spent many years doing volunteer work for many organizations.
Unfortunately we have been so ill, we have not produced any shorts, broadcast segments, been able to do any Festival curating or take part in volunteer work since then, and the Counting Past 2 Festival has not taken place since 2002.
We are in a legal battle with the company responsible for causing the mould problem. Both of us became disabled in the early ‘90’s. Boyd was born with a liver and blood clotting disease and Cat had spinal injury. We teamed up in 1997 and together, contributed as much as we could. The defense is saying that because we had prior disabilities, we had no real value to society, and the lack of our presence represents no loss to anyone or anything. We say that though we had prior disabilities, we were doing well and contributing significantly from 1997 to 2002. Since, we haven’t even been able to go and see our friends, and we miss our community.
We ask what about all of our volunteer efforts with numerous charitable organizations and contributions to the art world? Our work was well liked and played at festivals worldwide. We were described as a colourful pair, and that our work was evoking both tears and laughter. What about our potential?
Our lawyer told us to put together a portfolio with all of the guides and media
clippings, but everything like that is in the toxic house and is contaminated
and cannot be removed. He said to get together what we can to present to them
about the importance or affect of anything we did, so we are going to try.
If you miss the Counting Past 2 Festival and /or if we have encouraged,
affected or assisted you in anyway, be it through the work we have done or have
helped you to do, please, please help us.
Also, if you have been to our home and studio and can comment on the lovely
condition it was in, this would be so appreciated.
Please take a moment and write a note of support to tstgismovies @ 3web.com as
soon as you possibly can.
Contact info will be kept confidential.
We miss our community and we miss our lives.
Thank you so very much. xo Cat & Boyd