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Chloë Lum

@the_compulsive_observer

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Multidisciplinary artist. PhD student. Perfume fanatic. Crip. Collector of words & things. 1/2 of @lumdesranleau ; formerly @_seripop_ Edmonton.

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The one problem with having the studio in the basement, is I tend to overdo it and hurt myself. It’s very easy to overdo it when one has the overwhelming desire to be in the zone and also fibromyalgia. So I’m in the living room, feeling twitchy. Trying to take it even slower than usual.
#nowplaying #publicimageltd by @the_compulsive_observer

The only thing I like about the weather cooling is that more birds hang out at the feeder. If I’m honest most of the The Fall’s catalogue made me. I love how Mark E Smith spit out his lyrics as if they taste bad. #nowplaying #thefall #artrock by @the_compulsive_observer

Sunday vibes. I relate to Mayo through the Tin Pan Alley echoes here and the Canterbury echoes there. #nowplaying #mayothompson #artfolk by @the_compulsive_observer

Having a bit of FOMO as I see friends post their 9 albums grid while being unwilling to give my data to yet another online AI platform. I’m becoming more wary even though the horse left the barn a long time ago.
Anyway, this album is one that made me. Maybe especially the marimba parts. Though I could just as easily have posted Doc at the Radar Station as my Beefheart inclusion. I might think about these memes and lists too literally, as works one encounters as a young person starting a practice. But, also, as a middle aged mid career artist, I feel like I’m constantly being remade or perhaps refined by the great art I encounter. I like discussions of influence, even if I find them sticky, tricky.
Anyone who doesn’t know this record should give it a try at *least* twice. #nowplaying #captainbeefheart #avantrock by @the_compulsive_observer

Just the right amount of intensity you need when your body feels like rusting machinery that keeps catching on itself. Something with abstraction enough to jolt those bones in spite of themselves. Will it shake off the rust and dust? #nowplaying #freejazz #milfordgraves #arthurdoyle #hughglover by @the_compulsive_observer

My rhipsalis pilocarpa is blooming for the first time! When we moved into our house in Edmonton, I started getting into jungle cacti for their foliage, the blooms are a nice bonus. From a wee baby plant in a 2 inch pot to long branches with blooms in 18 months. by @the_compulsive_observer

We went to a noise show this afternoon that was part of a festival and questions on if we had checked anything else out (we had not) led to a conversation between me and Yannick on how we do go to shows but pretty exclusively of peers. Which in turn led to a discussion on how neither of us really know what young musicians are up too. To that I say, leave me with the ancients and the ancient songs, they are the songs I understand who understand me in kind. #nowplaying #sixfingersatellite #avantrock #ancientsongs by @the_compulsive_observer

Have you ever seen a more splendid boy? Brought him home 7 years and 1 month ago and he is just the best. 🧡 by @the_compulsive_observer

I’m absolutely gutted to learn of David Fair’s passing. Half Japanese are one of the most important bands in my cultural pantheon and have greatly influenced my approach across creative mediums. David’s essay on how to play guitar especially helped me get out of my head and honour my own idiosyncrasies. #nowplaying #halfjapanese #avantrock by @the_compulsive_observer

We will be in a group exhibition at FAB Gallery @uofaartdesign
Live performance on Sept 8 with @soyacraig
New video with @lizlimax

Climates of Health: The Weather Inside Us
September 8 - October 3, 2026

Opening Night Events:
Tuesday September 8, 2026

5:45 p.m. Live Performance of Becoming Unreal by Chloë Lum & Yannick Desranleau
Bleviss Laboratory Theatre: Fine Arts Building, FAB 1-63

7 - 9 p.m. Exhibition Reception
Fine Arts Building (FAB) Gallery: FAB 1-01

RSVP for Opening Night Events — link in bio by @the_compulsive_observer

Please do get in touch if this you or an artist you know of. 🎭 by @the_compulsive_observer

This used to belong to the U of A music library and the sign-out card on the inner sleeve is empty. Now it’s ours and gets played on Sunday nights that should be Friday nights. #nowplaying #xenakis #avantsounds by @the_compulsive_observer