Yesway

In September 1997, I helped my friend Billy Mavreas launch his website Yesway.com. After a few latte-infused chats at Café Olympico (at that point better known as Open Da Night) we decided on a direction for the site; a place to archive some of Billy’s weird collections of objects and art. We had grand plans to keep working on it and expanding it but when we finished putting in place the 2 key collections (Litter and Spells) it felt like it had just enough to launch. It let people see enough of what was mulling around in Billy’s brain.

I’m not sure if Billy ever plans on updating it but if he doesn’t, it’s a fine testament to the state of the internet at the time. It’s simple, small, slightly interactive with no grand, sweeping animations. I plan to keep renewing the domain to make sure this little sliver of the internet stays just as it is.

Billy Mavreas is a Montreal based artist as well as co-curator and resident-at-large of Monastiraki, a gallery/boutique in Mile End, Montreal. His art practice is informed by his activities as a collector, archivist, teacher and curator.

His art practice is based on accumulation and accretion, consisting of various personal collections, stacks of drawings on 8.5 x 11 sheets, various scraps of doodles and an assortment of found objects that resonate with him on an aesthetic and spiritual level.

He is the author of two graphic novels, one book of posters and countless mini books, zines, pamphlets and assorted ephemera. He is also a co-founder of Expozine, one of Canada’s largest and most well respected Small Press Fairs.