Your Cultural Concierge! VoCA offers critical commentary on the Canadian art scene, with a focus on Toronto. Featuring exhibition previews, critics picks, interviews and in-depth articles on art in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Halifax.
April 17th, 2008 — Artists, Events/Talks, Toronto, Video/New Media
VoCA recommends General Idea: Art, AIDS and the fin de siecle, a fantastic new film by Annette Mangaard, screening at Toronto’s Hotdocs festival on April 20 and 26, 2008.
General Idea. Image: aabronson.com
It’s a wonderful look at the history of the Canadian artist collective General Idea. Group members Felix Partz, Jorge Zontal and A.A. Bronson were active from 1969 to 1994. After Partz and Zontal died of AIDS, Bronson reinvented himself as A.A. Bronson: Healer.
April 16th, 2008 — Articles, News: Canada
Marni Soupcoff on Canada’s biggest mistake: The $7.5-billion that Canadian governments lavish on the arts every year
Image: nationalpost.com
Marni Soupcoff from the National Post thinks that the Canadian government should stop funding the arts altogether.
After all, “Let’s be honest — who makes up the majority of the audiences of symphonies, art galleries and ballets? It’s middle-class and rich people who can afford to pay for their own entertainment.”
VoCA doesn’t necessarily agree with her article, but we think she has a point.
Should the government continue funding the arts? Or not?
Read the full article HERE
April 15th, 2008 — Artists, Exhibitions, Painting, Toronto
There’s an odd relationship between the mixed media work of Rudolf Bikkers and Andrew Rucklidge’s paintings, both currently on view in Toronto at Craig Scott Gallery and Christopher Cutts Gallery, respectively.
Andrew Rucklidge, Falls, coloured, 2006. Image: cuttsgallery.com
Both artists make strikingly original works that refer back to art historical precedents while they also move forward into uncharted territory.
April 14th, 2008 — Artists, Events/Talks, Loved & Loathed, Toronto
Has the AGO done it? Is Massive Party Toronto’s best contemporary art fundraiser?
Image: coachella.com
April 11th, 2008 — Artists, News: Canada, Painting, Underrated Canadian Artists
Have you heard of the Canadiana Fund?
Kenneth Lochhead, Saskatchewan Jubilee, 1955. Image: kennethlochhead.com
They have, apparently, in Saskatchewan, where collectors from the province have been donating works of art by local artists to the fund, which sees the work displayed in Canada’s official residences.
“The fund is also pleased to have works from all of the members of the Regina Five, which is a regionally noteworthy group. The Regina Five are Arthur McKay, Ronald Bloore, Kenneth Lochhead, Ted Godwin and Douglas Morton.”
April 10th, 2008 — Exhibitions, Painting, Photography, Sculpture/Installation, Toronto, Vancouver
1. AARON CARPENTER: THE ART OF RICHARD TUTTLE AT THE HELEN PITT GALLERY, VANCOUVER
April 11 to Saturday May 3, 2008
VoCA loves the work of American artist Richard Tuttle. Now, the young Vancouver artist Aaron Carpenter is getting all Sturtevant and copying Tuttle’s oeuvre.
(Elaine Sturtevant has made her name copying famous artist’s work - see her Warhol below)
Elaine Sturtevant, Warhols Flowers, (1964-1991). Image: saatchi-gallery.co.uk
Aaron Carpenter’s THE ART OF RICHARD TUTTLE is the first installment of the Helen Pitt Gallery’s three-exhibition Workaday series, addressing process, labour and the performative gesture.
April 9th, 2008 — Architecture, Articles by Andrea Carson, Artists, Exhibitions, Sculpture/Installation, Toronto
Paulette Phillips is a conceptual artist worth watching. Her latest work, on view at Diaz Contemporary, presents sculpture, photographs and video based on the Modernist architecture and furniture design of the Irish architect Eileen Gray.
Paulette Phillips, Details of Touche (magnetized books),2007. Image: diazcontemporary.ca
Click HERE to read my full article, from today’s Globe and Mail or click below for the article:
April 8th, 2008 — Miscellaneous thoughts on art
Ok, so it’s a little off the beaten track for VoCA - but we’re getting back to basics.
In honour of Milan Design Week, April 16 - 21, and our belief that design should get back to basics, too, here’s a fascinating recent post on Designboom called Silk making in 6 steps.
Check it out - more info and images - right HERE.
Silkworms have made cocoons - here in trays. Image: designboom.com
April 7th, 2008 — Architecture, News: International
VoCA was pleased to hear that French architect Jean Nouvel has won the Pritzker prize for architecture. His Fondation Cartier in Paris is one of VoCA’s favorite exhibition spaces, and his Insitut du Monde Arabe is simply as magical as a university institution can get.
Jean Nouvel’s Fondation Cartier in Paris, 1994. Image: fondation.cartier.com
Click HERE for the Guardian’s article.
April 4th, 2008 — Artists, News: Canada, Toronto
Canada’s rising art star Michel de Broin (who VoCA spoke to HERE) has won his appeal against the city, which issued driver Dean Baldwin a ticket for operating an unsafe vehicle.
Michel de Broin’s Shared Propulsion Car, 2005. Image: micheldebroin.org
Andrea Carson writes on contemporary art, architecture and design...Read full bio