Visual Encounter

Patrick Mikhail Editions

2012-02-15T11:49:00.000-08:00

Looking for affordable original works of art? Priced from $125 to $1000, a new project and exhibition at the Patrick Mikhail Gallery features exclusive limited-edition artworks! From today on till March 4, 2012, the gallery provides the opportunity to acquire artworks by some of Canada’s leading emerging and mid-career contemporary artists (some of them local), like:

Jessica Auer
Stephen Brookbank
Andrea Campbell
Olga Chagaoutdinova
Josée Dubeau
Scott Everingham
Adrian Göllner
Jonathan Hobin
Kristopher Karklin
Thomas Kneubühler
Jennifer Lefort
Deborah Margo
Andrew Morrow
James Olley
Cheryl Pagurek
Josée Pedneault
Michèle Provost
Andreas Rutkauskas
Amy Schissel
Cindy Stelmackowich
Andrew Wright
Jinny Yu
Ewa Monika Zebrowski

The exhibition and online catalogue includes photographic prints, photo-based works, digital prints and paintings, video paintings, artist books, original drawings, and sculptures. They are all offered in editions of 30 or less. Each original artwork has been specially conceived and created for the editions project.

Facts:
Patrick Mikhail Editions
February 15 - March 4, 2012
Artist Reception:
February 17, 2012
5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
http://www.patrickmikhailgallery.com/artists/

Interview: Aerial Photographer Louis Helbig

2012-01-31T13:36:00.000-08:00

Aerial art photographer Louis Helbig recently gave an interview with CityTV Edmonton about his series "Beautiful Destruction":

http://video.citytv.com/video/detail/1367742830001.000000/beautiful-destruction/

Helbig explains his interest in the oil sands in the tension that arises between his truly beautiful images and the environmental disaster going on there. With his neutral aerial photographs, Helbig gives the viewers the opportunity to form their own opinion. This documentary approach nevertheless is an important contribution to the current debate.

To see more of his work, check:
http://visualencounter.blogspot.com/2011/02/aerial-abstractions-burtynsky-gursky.html

Louis Helbig's web site: http://www.louishelbig.com/

Made in America 1900-1950. Photographs from the National Gallery of Canada

2012-01-26T08:22:00.000-08:00

It took me over one month but I finally made it to the photographs exhibition at the National Gallery (NGC). “Made in America 1900-1950” belongs to a series of exhibitions that has shown 19th-century British and 19th-century French photographs in the recent years. Now the first half of the 20th century American photography has its turn… and it turned out very well.

The exhibition at the second floor shows just over 100 photographs, and follows the approach to present both photography as art and documentary. This clearly lies in the nature of the show, presenting American photography in the first half of the 20th century which of course includes art and documentation – just thinking about names like Edward Steichen, Dorothea Lange, Berenice Abbott, Lisette Model, and Weegee. And it lies in the nature of photography; so this approach is not entirely new. It even might leave some of the visitors a bit wondering about the combination of these photographs that follow so different approaches. (Still, regardless of the discussion about photography as art and its place in museums that seems to be obsolete by now!) But on the other hand, the exhibition gives an excellent overview about the development of American photography and its most famous photographers – and it shows amazing vintage prints that we all have seen in textbooks about this era.

The exhibition starts with Pictorialism of the first two decades of the early 20th century. In particular Gertrude Käsebier’s romantic gum bichromate prints (one shows Edward Steichen standing beside her sister and friends) caught my attention. The photographs clearly show the Pictorialist aim to advance the status of photography as a true art form. But it left me wondering, why the curators decided to NOT include photographs of the 19th century in the exhibition (after all, the Pictorialist movement started in the late 19th century and not strictly with the year 1900).

Furthermore of interest: The NGC designed the first two rooms of the exhibit in homage to Alfred Stieglitz’ Gallery 291 with its distinctive look: with muted green walls, dim lights and curtains hanging low from wooden chair rails. The second room shows stunning portraits by Stieglitz, Edward Steichen and Frank Eugene etc.

The exhibition also shows photographs by the Group f/64 that followed a modernist aesthetic in opposition to Pictorialism. Edward Weston, Ansel Adams and Imogen Cunningham (I love her portrait of Frida Kahlo (1931)!) are represented with some of their most iconic photographs.

In the field of documentary, in particular Lewis Hine’s and Dorothea Lange’s works are worth to be mentioned. The NGC owns one of the best prints of Lange’s iconic “Migrant Mother” (1936) in which the baby’s face is visible. Also represented are photographs by Margaret Bourke-White, Berenice Abbott, Lisette Model, Weegee (I love the shot of the sleeping kids on the fire escape platform), Andreas Feininger, and the members of New York’s Photo League.

So, in case you are wondering why the exhibition stops at 1950: That’s because the NGC holds so much more interesting photographs from the following decades that they will get their own show. When, is not announced yet. I am already very curious to see works by Lee Friedlander and Diane Arbus then. And I am sure that this exhibition will be also worthwhile a visit – like this show is!

Facts:

Made in America 1900-1950. Photographs from the National Gallery of Canada

09 Dec 2011 - 01 Apr 2012

http://www.gallery.ca/madeinamerica/

Preview: Karen Jordon "Slow Dance"

2012-01-23T10:42:00.000-08:00

On my way through the Byward Market last weekend, I curiously stopped by at the Karsh-Masson Gallery. Turned out, the gallery is closed in the moment for the installation of an upcoming exhibit: Karen Jordon “Slow Dance”. It starts in two weeks, on February 3rd.

But when you walk by, you can get a first glimpse of her works; like a huge mountain of record tape spaghetti, an old radio, a tape recorder, and other audio equipment, arranged in the display window.

As the Virtual Museum web site of the Karsh Masson states: “Slow Dance itemizes components from the period of the sound and culture industry bracketed by the decline of record albums and the advent of compact discs. The resulting work both maps and predicts the accelerating pace of changing technologies and subsequently diminished life spans of electronics and communication devices. Jordon juxtaposes the intimate and abiding place music holds in people’s lives against the unwanted technologies left behind when material and utility are parted.”

Karen Jordon received her BFA from the University of Ottawa in 1992. She also joined the Enriched Bread Artists (EBA) collective in the same year.

Her work is process-based involving the collection and manipulation of her own, and other people’s, discarded belongings. Her statement on the web site of the EBA:

“Part consumer parody and part lament my work is a parallel system of acquisition and abandonment that reassigns values, meanings and possible histories. My objective is to disrupt the frenetic pace of our post-industrial world, to slow the viewer and myself, down, to create spaces that invite acts of contemplation or of simply looking.”

Looking forward to that show!

Facts:

Karsh-Masson Gallery

February 3, 2012 to April 8, 2012

Open Wednesday 12 to 5 p.m., Thursday 12 to 8 p.m, Friday to Sunday 12 to 5 p.m.

http://enrichedbreadartists.com/members/KarenJordon.htm

Three Must-See Exhibits… And Only Five Days Left!

2012-01-04T11:47:00.000-08:00

First of all: Happy New Year! Isn’t it unbelievable how time is passing by?

In Ottawa, three must-see exhibits only run until January 8th – so just four more days to go! Take your last chance to visit these outstanding exhibits:

Ramses Madina, “Road Crew 29”, 2010, Silver Gelatin Print, from the web site: www.facebook.com/Public.Art.Ottawa, copyright by Ramses Madina

Ramses Madina – Night for Day: Road Crews @ City Hall Art Gallery

Ramses Madina’s black and white photographic series “Night for Day: Road Crews” already caught my attention when I visited the “Place and Circumstance” exhibition at the City Hall Art Gallery last June (http://visualencounter.blogspot.com/2011/06/place-and-circumstance-city-hall-art.html). In his stunning night photographs, he draws with light attention to the road workers who labour as the city sleeps enveloped in darkness. We see Ottawa by night in an uncommon way, like captured from an imagined landscape. Occurring in darkness, when most of the citizens are sleeping, these actions seem somewhat mysterious. The crew’s overnight activity ensures that the roads are ready for the morning shift to venture out to start its day. A stunning documentation!

http://www.ottawa.ca/rec_culture/arts/gallery_exhibit/city_hall/index_en.html

Cindy Stelmackowich: Dearly Departed @ Bytown Museum

A bit creepy but also fascinating is the work of Cindy Stelmackowich that examines the highly charged visual and written language of mourning in the 19th century. She draws her inspiration from various historic objects in the Bytown Museum and her own artefact collection.

Stelmackowich’s digital prints and sculptures reconsider and transform traditional mourning objects such as Victorian hair wreaths, bereavement verse and women’s black lace clothing regarding the cult of grief and remembrance. Her findings like jewellery, wreaths and watch fobs were actually made of human hair, some of it most likely clipped from the heads of corpses! The widespread cult of mourning was inspired by Queen Victoria who mourned the death of her husband, Prince Albert, for forty years.

Quiet an amazing show!

http://www.bytownmuseum.com/en/exhibits.html

David Askevold: Once Upon a Time in the East @ National Gallery of Canada

David Askevold (1940-2008) is recognized as an important contributor to the development and pedagogy of conceptual art. This full-career retrospective exhibition considers the four strains of Askevold’s exploratory journey – sculpture/installation, film and video, photo-text works, and digital images and includes key pieces from each stage of his career.

Like the director of the National Gallery, Marc Mayer points out: “He was a pioneering figure in the development of conceptual art in the 1970s, and continued to be an influential conceptualist throughout his career. […] For me, what’s compelling about Askevold is that he worked hard to maintain an independent artistic perspective in the exploration of new media. He believed in the role of the artist as unique in our contemporary set of professions.” (From the NGC web site)

http://www.gallery.ca/en/see/exhibitions/current/details/david-askevold-once-upon-a-time-in-the-east-66

Andrew Morrow on CHUO TODAY at 5 pm

2011-12-21T10:26:00.000-08:00

I know it’s short notice, but there is an exciting interview today with Quebec painter and video artist Andrew Morrow: Today, Wednesday at 5 pm, on CHUO-FM89. Andrew’s work is currently on view at Patrick Mikhail Gallery.

THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND THERE’S NOTHING WE CAN DO TO STOP IT, is an exhibition of Morrow’s recent paintings. That’s his first solo exhibition with the gallery.

http://www.patrickmikhailgallery.com/exhibitions/2011-11-16_andrew-morrow/

Morrow’s classical landscapes and highly sexualized scenes are challenging (sometimes even disturbing) and demonstarte his sophisticated painting technique.

You can find a brief review on Andrew’s exhibition at the CUAG from last Spring here:

http://visualencounter.blogspot.com/2011/01/disturbing-and-energetic-4-ottawa.html

Looking forward to his interview!

Link to CHUO

Sketch @ Saw Gallery

2011-11-27T15:23:00.000-08:00

"Sketch" @ Saw Gallery

Great show! On Friday, November 25^th, 2011, the “Sketch!” fundraiser at Saw Gallery was a huge success – according to the crowd! The walls are covered with drawings, prints and collages by more than 175 artists, prices started with $10. Amazing!

"Sketch" @ Saw Gallery

Artists included e.g. Joyce Westrop, Karina Bergmans, Adrian Göllner, Howie Tsui, Eric Walker, Michael ZEKE Zavacky, . There was also a spotlight on Cape Dorset artists in a separate room.


"Sketch" @ Saw Gallery

"Sketch" @ Saw Gallery

http://www.galeriesawgallery.com/sawgallery.html

The Art of Finding the right X-mas Gift

2011-11-22T12:28:00.000-08:00

One month to go: then it’s X-mas! I have to confess I’m already excited about it. And this year I’m actually thinking about buying unique and local works of art as X-mas gifts. The best: In the next few weeks, some pretty amazing X-mas art and craft sales, fundraising events and jewellery shows will take place here in Ottawa.

That’s my list of upcoming art events. It might not be exhaustive, so I’m happy for any comment on other opportunities to buy unique works of art by local artists. So have fun shopping for art!

Jewellery and Fashion Event for Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Support Program

@ Wall Space Gallery

What to expect: Eco-friendly holiday styles from Green Tree Eco Fashion and jewellery by local jewellery artists, to be exhibited down a “runway” by real-life models in the community. Jewellery designs by Lirical, Tai Knots, Kathryn Rebecca, Fluid, Alexandra Temple, Lover Fighter, JMBCanada and many more!

When: Wednesday, November 23rd, 6-8 pm
Where: 358 Richmond Road, Westboro Village
Entrance fee: A $20 suggested donation is your ticket for entry and a portion of the jewellery sales will be donated to Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Support Programs.

www.wallspacegallery.ca

Sketch

@ SAW Gallery

What to expect: Artists, non-artists, animators, designers and architects band together for an unique holiday fundraiser. Sketches, drawings and collages - with most works priced affordably, this fundraiser is an ideal place to buy original works of art! The fundraising party will include DJs, entertainment and door prizes, and will feature works by internationally acclaimed artists in a silent auction. All proceeds of the sales will go toward Galerie SAW Gallery programming activities.

When: Friday, November 25, 2011 from 8PM to 2AM
Where: 67 Nicholas Street, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Entrance fee: $5 at the door
www.galeriesawgallery.com

27th Annual Holiday Art Sale

@ Ottawa School of Art

What to expect: This art sale features a wide range of unique and affordable works of art, perfect for collecting or gift-giving. All works are created by the students, instructors and alumni of the OSA in a wide variety of media, sizes and prices. This event provides an opportunity to see the variety of techniques and styles of work that are continually being generated by the Ottawa School of Art community.

When: Opening reception: Dec. 1, 5-8 p.m. Works will be on display from Dec. 1-18, 2011
Where: 35 George St., Byward Market
Entrance fee: Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

www.artottawa.ca

LUCK! 2011

@ Council for the Arts in Ottawa

What to expect: Now’s the chance to get lucky and become the new owner of an original work of art by an outstanding Ottawa artist at the Council for the Arts in Ottawa’s favourite fundraiser!
For a $100 ticket you are guaranteed to get a wonderful addition to your art collection. Works by 40 artists are represented. You just have to come with your ticket and try your luck When your number is drawn you take your pick. Share in everyone's luck! For $25 you can enjoy a fun evening of art, desire and serendipity.

When: December 1, 2011, 6 - 9 p.m
Where: Arts Court, 2 Daly Ave., Ottawa
Entrance fee: Art Draw Tickets: $100
Event Only Tickets: $25

http://www.arts-ottawa.on.ca/events/luck/2011/index-en.php

Seasons Greetings Craft Fair

@ Stittsville Arena

What to expect: This Annual Craft Fair is a fundraiser for the Ottawa Humane Society. The Artisans represent a wide variety of crafts which include fine jewellery, stoneware pottery, wooden toys, quilted hand bags, knitting, stained glass hockey players and other sports figures, candles, Christmas decorations, oil paintings and gift cards. The items for sale range in value from stocking stuffers to high end jewellery and stained glass panels.

When: November 26 & 27th, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: in the upper Hall at the Stittsville Arena, 10 Warner-Colpitts Lane
Entrance fee: There is no admission fee and the upper hall is accessible by elevator.

http://www.craftersnetwork.ca/showlist.htm

“Dunya (Part two)” by Ottawa-based artists Dipna Horra

2011-11-13T08:55:00.000-08:00

Dunya (Part two) by Dipna Horra, courtesy by the artist

An old-fashioned, golden dressing table with mirror. A golden chair standing in front of it. On the dressing table plenty of handpicked red roses and yellow, white and orange dahlia floating in a water bowl. The flowers find their equivalent in the light orange flower design of the seat cover. We hear voices and sounds telling the tale of the Hindu Goddess Parvati.

Dunya (Part two) by Dipna Horra, courtesy by the artist

This installation “Dunya (Part Two)” by Ottawa artist Dipna Horra was part of an exhibition at the Pink Gallery, Berlin, this summer. The exhibition "...Into GOLD" dealed with the material and meaning of the legendary Gold. But the main focus was not the solid substance or a pure representation of gold; rather the spiritual aspects of this treasure. In installations of various objects, sound and video, the artists referred to larger narratives.

In Dipna's case, the story of her grandmother combined with the dressing chair and the mirror as symbols of vanity are strongly reflected by the shiny, golden metal. The titel of the work “Dunyā” is the Arabic and Punjabi word for the temporal world and its earthly concerns and possessions in opposition to the spiritual realm.

Based on a parable told by the artist’s grandmother, Dipna Horra’s "Dunya (Part two)" animates a found object with sounds and voices recounting a tale of the Goddess Parvati’s quest for material wealth. Horra’s interest in storytelling is combined with a background in architecture and multi media installations.

Dipna is an multi-media artist with focus on media explorations and interdisciplinary collaborations. She deals with identity issues, hybridity, and transcultural synthesis of materials and thoughts. Areas of primary investigation for the artist are space, time, myth and migration as they relate to cultural identity.

Dipna has completed a Masters of Fine Art at the University of Ottawa, with a focus in sound installations; and is now preparing research for her doctoral thesis. She has worked in architecture and art education in New York and Canada. Her works could be seen in Canada, New York, Dubai, U.A.E., Berlin and London, U.K. I am looking forward to see more of her installations!

To get an impression, take a look at her web site that is an amazing new media experiment: www.dipnahorra.com

About the Berlin exhibition:

...Into GOLD

With works by:

Dipna Horra & Can Henne

Exhibition at Pink Gallery, Berlin:

August 19 - 28, 2011

Supported by Canada Council for the Arts and Ontario Arts Council

http://www.pinkgallery.de/Exhibit/ig.htm

Ottawa Art Expo 2011

2011-11-06T13:36:00.000-08:00

Sara Chivot's booth at the Ottawa Art Expo 2011

Last weekend was the Toronto International Art Fair (TIAF). For 4 days, leading Canadian and international art galleries presented their artists in a dynamic visual art event. And so exciting: The AXA Art event exhibiting Vogue magazine photos by Erwin Blumenfeld from the early 1950’s. Blumenfeld I wrote my Ph.D. Thesis about! (http://webdoc.sub.gwdg.de/diss/2009/werner_a/) But guess who had no chance to go there? Me!

Nevertheless, I tried my best to get some cultural input last weekend and the advertisements for the Ottawa Art Expo caught my attention. Despite the fact that is tiny, tiny comparing to the TIAF, I was impressed with the broad spectrum of media, topics and approaches towards contemporary visual arts. And the artists had the chance to represent themselves!

A few artists in particular caught my attention:

Eryn O'Neill: I love her studio interiors!

Eryn O’Neill

Her interior studies of her studio with canvasses on easels, painting tools, folding chairs, step ladders etc. is amazing. She has been focusing on using the environment of her Glebe studio as the source of her current work. The tranquility and the impact of light that shines through big windows in the open space emphasize the artistic process.

As she states on her web site: “The above body of work addresses my practice through the role my studio plays in the creative process. I am painting the action that occurs before the work is fully realized. The tension that exists between the artist and the blank canvas, waiting to be activated by the artists hand is a moment that requires patience, determination and full autonomy. This is a time consuming and often frustrating experience.” In particular the paintings that show canvasses in verso caught my attention, reminding me at Velazquez’ (Las Meninas of course!) and Rembrandt’s studio interiors…

Also interesting are her oil paintings of reflecting surfaces like shop windows and storefronts…

http://www.eofineart.com/index2.html

Sara Chivot in her booth.

Sara Chivot

Mixed-media artist Sara Chivot, who is also located in Ottawa, presented her abstract pieces. They are rich in texture and color - I love her dark blue paintings! Sara uses natural materials such as leather, stones, handmade paper and sand to create exciting and unpredictable effects on canvas and on wood. The interesting texture of the paint layers are clearly made by using a palette knife.

http://sarachivot.webs.com/

Gordon Harrison in his booth

Gordon Harrison

Talking about the use of palette knifes and strong paint textures: Gordon Harrison presented his Canadian Landscapes at the Ottawa Art Expo. The exhibited paintings in oil are characteristic with his bold use of colour and remind me strongly at the Group of Seven....

http://www.gordonharrisongallery.com/

J.P. Leclair with some of his amazing assemblages

J.P. Leclair

Really impressive assemblages were shown by J. P. Leclair. As he mentioned, he was strongly impressed by Joseph Cornell. Like this American artist, he’s juxtaposing unlikely objects in wooden boxes like door latches, nails, teeth, jewellery, figurines…. It takes him months to create his unique assemblages. His creations are paradox, ambiguous, and mysterious. He is also influenced by Dadaism and Surrealism, and in particular by the German artist Max Ernst.

http://www.jpleclair.com/

Louis Helbig before some of his aerial photographs

Louis Helbig

I also met Louis Helbig whose Aerial art photography had me already impressed in his exhibition at Exposure Gallery last February. (http://visualencounter.blogspot.com/2011/02/aerial-abstractions-burtynsky-gursky.html) Turns out he has German parents… So we could chat in German for a while. As inspiration for his abstract/figurative aerial shots, he mentioned John Updike’s ability to create images with words in the individual minds of his readers. This point if reception is very important for him. He is also influenced by photojournalism of Cartier-Bresson in particular and the Magnum Photos in general.

http://www.louishelbig.com/

A lot of the artists I talked to stated that the Ottawa Art Expo was a huge success for them and I have to say that there was really a crowd around. And this was Sunday at noon! It looks like Ottawa really has an audience for contemporary art – even though that I always hear that Toronto has an international flair and more dynamic arts scene. Great show and indeed more exciting than I had expected. Next year I will be there for sure!

http://www.ottawaartexpo.com/

Participating Artists:

Hamid Ayoub www.hamidayoub.com

Anne Barkley www.annebarkley.ca

Jane Barlow

Joanne Beaubien

Bhat Boy bhatboy.com

Helene Caron www.helenecaron.com

Sara Chivot www.sarachivot.webs.com

Margaret Chwialkowska www.artistsincanada.com/margaret

Peter Colbert www.petercolbert.com

Sheila Davis www.sheiladavis.ca

Denise Dowdy www.denisejdowdy.multiply.com

Corin Ford Forrester www.corinfordforrester.com

Stephanie Ford Forrester www.stephaniefordforrester.ca

Miguel Freitas www.freitas.ca

Lisa Free www.lisafree.com

Patricia Gordon www.patriciamgordon-studios.ca

Ann Gruchy www.anngruchy.com

Gordon Harrison www.gordonharrisongallery.com

Louis Helbig www.louishelbig.com

Leah Hicks www.lhstudios.ca

John Hiscock www.jphiscock.ca

Barry Hobden www.bhfineprints.ca

Gillian Horgan www.gillianhorgan.artspan.com

David Houlton

Terry Hsu www.oilbyterry.com

Peggy Hughes www.peggyhughes.ca

Garrie Bea Joyce www.garriebea.com

Bill Keast www.paintingsbykeast.ca

Patricia Kirby www.pkirbyartist.com

Simon Koo

Aili Kurtis www.ailikurtis.com

Remi Lacroix www.remilacroix.com

Diana Rosa Latourt www.dianaartist.ca

Jean-Pierre Leclair www.JPLeclair.com

Donna Lynd www.donnalynd.ca

Jamie MacLean www.artistsincanada.com/jmaclean

Martha Markowsky www.marthamarkowsky.com

Christopher Masoure www.studiomazur.com

John Mlacak www.JohnMlacak.com

Sarah Moffat www.moffatbailie.com

Sara Nadeau www.saranadeaustudio.com

Sylvia Naylor www.sylvianaylor.com

Eryn O'Neill www.eofineart.com

Jesse Parker www.photobasedart.com

Nikolai Petrov

Alena Plihal www.alenaplihal.artacadamie.com

Y. Donna Randall www.ydrandall.com

Rosemary Randell www.Rosemaryrandell.com

Anne Remmer Thompson www.anneremmerthompson.ca

Dave Rheaume www.daverheaume.webs.com

Ross Rheaume www.rossrheaume.com

Peter Ripley

Judith Savic www.judithsavic.com

Isabelle Sauvineau www.isabellesauvineau.com

Terry Schaub www.twschaub.com

Monika Seidenbusch www.kaleidoscopestudio.ca

John Shea www.john-shea.artistwebsites.com

Sue Shuker www.omma.co

Mike Smith www.mikesmith.ca

Laurie Sponagle www.lauriesponagle.ca

Charles Spratt www.cspratt.ca

Eric Tardif www.erictardif.com

Ivan Papazov-Vanche www.vancheart.com

Dan Werstuk www.danwerstuk.com

Wayne Williams www.waynewilliams.ca

Lloyd Wilson www.lloydwilson.ca

Steve Wilson www.steveartandimagery.com

Gallery 101 – Every Gallery Needs Walls

2011-10-25T08:38:00.000-07:00

We all know about the importance of non-profit artist-run centers in the contemporary art scene. Gallery 101 (together with the Enriched Bread Artists (EBA) I would say) is one of the most important of these locations in Ottawa, with its dedication to professional presentation and circulation of visual and media art. G101 organizes a broad range of solo and curated group exhibitions of Canadian and international contemporary artists every year, like e.g. the amazing show by Daniel Corbeil.

In its 30 years history (!) the gallery has become an integral part of the city’s cultural life. Not only visual artists, but also poets, writers, curators, and musicians were involved in exhibitions, performances and events. Many of them were merging artists who have become internationally known. Unfortunately, G101has been forced to move approximately every 5 years due to gentrification.

That’s a lot – and it has an impact on the continuity of the artists’ projects and their reception. Therefore the gallery needs a permanent, stable location. “We are also looking to increase our size to address community and membership needs for exhibition, studio and workshop space, to create a resource/research room, provide space for public readings of poetry and literature, experimental music, and gallery space for local constituents.” [from the competitions web site, see below] They would like to purchase a building and have already raised $30,000 for a down payment – but that’s just a drop in the bucket with the real estate market here in Ottawa.

To increase the funds, G101 takes part at the Aviva Community Fund Competition. You can vote for the project here:

http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf12110

The aim: to get a funding of $100K – 150K! That would be great – good luck! I keep my fingers crossed!

http://www.g101.ca/

Maggie Knaus' Road Trip Polaroids @ Exposure Gallery

2011-10-11T16:33:00.000-07:00