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.
May 21st, 2010 — Sculpture/Installation
Canadian artist Robert Waters has a show, curated by Shai Ohayon, at Tokyo’s Mizuma Art Gallery.
Waters installing Man at Computer. Image: Courtesy Shai Ohayon.
Waters’ projects “investigate the human nature and body through themes of male sexuality, violence and mortality“, and present the human body as a site of political action, according to the press release.
May 17th, 2010 — Sculpture/Installation, Thoughts on art, Toronto and region, Video/New Media
This past weekend, an exhibition titled Art School: Dismissed, curated by Heather Nicol, brought together works made by artists who are also art teachers. It took place in a decommissioned elementary school in Toronto. Here are some highlights:
The exhibition’s poster. All photos by VoCA.
Jay Wilson’s sculpture made from toothpicks and white glue. It reached nicely between floor and ceiling, and was a reminder of school art projects, where the joy was in making something really cool. We liked its shape and structure.
May 13th, 2010 — Articles by Andrea Carson, Artist Spotlight, Design, Sculpture/Installation
Check out my article in this month’s issue of Azure magazine, on the incredible Emu feather concoctions by Colombian artist Maria Fernanda Cardoso.
One of Maria Fernanda Cardoso’s Emu Wear pieces. Image: ifoundsometreasure.com
Cardoso decided to investigate the Emu - the Australian, ostrich-like bird - as a way of relating to her new homeland, Australia. She began with feather sculptures and ended up with sculpture-like cloaks and hats that work as a kind of camouflage for the wearer.
May 12th, 2010 — Articles by Andrea Carson, First Nations/Inuit, Painting, Performance art, Toronto and region
Check out my piece on artist Kent Monkman’s home and studio in the current issue of Design Lines magazine. The studio, a former factory, was re-done by Jason Halter of boutique design firm Wonder Inc.
You know Monkman for his traditionally painted landscapes into which he inserts contemporary figures of First Nations people, often doing rather unconventional things…
Kent Monkman, Achilles and Patroclus, 2008. Image: kentmonkman.com
Or for his drag performances as Miss Chief Eagle Testickle…
May 11th, 2010 — Performance art, Sculpture/Installation, Toronto and region, Upcoming Events & Exhibitions, Video/New Media
It’s well known – in the art world, at least – that many artists support their careers by teaching.
It has also become popular for artists, collectives and independent curators to mount exhibitions in abandoned spaces.
Johanna Householder, video stills from installation in the Principal’s Office. Image: courtesy Heather Nicol
May 8th, 2010 — Thoughts on art
“L’harmonie, c’est la conciliation des contraires et pas l’ecrasement des differences” - Jean Cocteau
We just came across this quote. Harmony is the reconciliation of opposites and not the squashing of differences.
It’s a good thing to remember.
Jean Cocteau. Image: meanjin.com.au
There’s more on the poet, writer, filmmaker, ballet and opera designer and painter. HERE.
May 6th, 2010 — Art Criticism, Sculpture/Installation, Toronto and region, Video/New Media
Marshall McLuhan’s poetic description of photographs as “dreams that money can buy,” begins the catalogue text for the 2010 CONTACT photography festival in Toronto.
A view of the exhibition by David Rokeby. Image: VoCA
The 2010 festival, on throughout May in various venues across the city, celebrates the media legend – wonderfully and appropriately – on the 30th anniversary of his death.
May 6th, 2010 — Architecture, Toronto and region
Vote now for your favorite - or least favorite - buildings in Toronto!
The Toronto skyline. Image: flickr.com
The Pug Awards, the people’s choice awards for architecture, celebrate the best in Toronto architecture and planning.
Register and then decide what you love, like or hate.
Right HERE.
May 5th, 2010 — First Nations/Inuit, Photography, Sculpture/Installation, Toronto and region
Now’s a good time to check out the Art Gallery of Ontario again.
Part of Barbara Kruger’s billboard on the facade of the AGO. Image: VoCA
You can take in Barbara Kruger’s magnificent billboard that lines the front of the gallery, (done for CONTACT photography fest, which in on throughout May.) The billboard reads LOVE IT-SHOVE IT-PRAISE IT-PLEASE IT-DOUBT IT- SHAME IT-BLAME IT-KISS IT-BUY IT-BELIEVE IT.
April 29th, 2010 — Architecture, Art Criticism, Books, Montreal, Toronto and region, Video/New Media
There’s so much happening in the Canadian art world, it can be difficult to keep up with it all. Here’s a reminder of some places you can hear excellent talks, watch videos and read thoughtful commentary.
On OCAD’s website, check out videos from their excellent speaker series, including talks by the critic Hal Foster, Jamelie Hassan and Vandana Shiva.
Jamelie Hassan, Wall with Door, 1977. Image: canadianart.ca
Also, Filip, the Vancouver-based art publication, has some excellent podcasts, including THIS one from last year by the writer Diedrich Diederichsen on Judgment, Objecthood, Temporality.
Andrea Carson writes on contemporary art, architecture and design...Read full bio