by Marja-Leena

Kiki Smith revisited

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Kiki Smith
Jewel (#2), 2004
etching 14 x 17 inches
(from Barbara Krakow Gallery)

I love Kiki Smith’s work and have mentioned her several times in my blog, most importantly the MOMA video presentation on her printmaking.

Today, thanks to Linden Langdon, I’m admiring more of her works on the website of the Barbara Krakow Gallery.These are mostly prints with some sculpture, drawings and photographs.

Also mentioned by Linden, and by a commenter on my earlier post, is the excellent PBS video series art: 21 featuring numerous artists including Kiki Smith with her very moving sculptures. Enjoy!

August 11, 2005 in Other artists, Printmaking 7 Comments »

by Marja-Leena

dog days of summer

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I always wondered where the expression dog days of summer came from. It made me think of overheated dogs panting with their mouths open and tongues lolling. I do feel rather like a hot dog these days.

In the summer, Sirius, the “dog star,” rises and sets with the sun. During late July Sirius is in conjunction with the sun, and the ancients believed that its heat added to the heat of the sun, creating a stretch of hot and sultry weather. They named this period of time, from 20 days before the conjunction to 20 days after, “dog days” after the dog star.
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Art is a simple tool for fine-tuning our experience of being alive. I like what Ismo Santala writes in his article Art: Advances in Acuteness via wood s lot.

Noting the author’s Finnish name, my curiosity sent me googling. Ismo Santala has published reviews of literature, comics, music, film and interviews but the only biographical information I could find was at the scriptorium:
Ismo Santala was born whilst Jacques Tati celebrated his final birthday, and is currently studying English Philology at the University of Tampere, Finland.

August 9, 2005 in Being an Artist, Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric 3 Comments »

by Marja-Leena

Art of the Hibakusha

Like so many others, we have been following the marking of the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, then Nagasaki tomorrow. This made us recall the stories once told us by two Japanese-Canadian friends now in their seventies who were living in Japan during the war. Setsuko vividly remembers the day Tokyo was bombed (not atomic). About ten years old at the time, she picked up her youngest brother, an infant, and ran and ran and ran. All her family survived but many of their neighbours and friends did not. She relived that day in nightmares for many years.

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Our friend Tomio has just kindly emailed me his story again, and I quote it in its vivid entirety:

I did my best to place a mushroom cloud over Nagasaki in my panorama picture (above) which I took when we visited our homes about four years ago.  Nagasaki is 80 km away from my old home in a countryside. The picture was taken in the autumn of that year, and the bomb was dropped over Nagasaki when some low cumulous clouds were beginning to appear over the distant mountains or hills you can see.  The rice fields were not yellow but dark green with yet-to-ripe rice plants.  The skies were as blue as you can see on the picture and a few clouds beyond the hills were brightly shining.

I was 13 years old and on summer holidays from school.  The countryside of Kyushu Island was calm in spite of the fact that American invasion was supposed to be imminent at a southern tip of Kyushu Island.  I guess Japanese homeland forces were devastated and defenseless not requiring American forces to bomb  any more.  Tokyo was almost completely devastated to the ground anyway.  We, Kyushu Island citizens, were expected to fight to the last man along with the military forces.  Almost all the young men were fighting abroad, and old folks, their wives, and children were working in the rice fields. 
 
On that day, I visited my friend whose parents owned a pear orchard on a hillside.  After enjoying delicious pears as a guest, I started to walk downhill towards my home.  I think it was about two o’clock in the afternoon.  When I reached a point of clear view of the plain below, I suddenly noticed an ominous clouds towering into the sky over the distant hills. I stopped walking and watched it, and the first thing I imagined was some ominous change in the universe although I had heard on radio about a new type of bomb dropped over Hiroshima prior to that day. 

The side of the mushroom shape was faintly tinted with colours (spectrum of light) and looked pretty.  The mushroom shape seemed standing still (although it started to disintegrate very slowly and mix with with the surrounding shining cumulous clouds towards the late afternoon),  and the atmosphere was quiet without any sound of enemy or friendly airplanes used to fly over up to about 10 days ago. Then, I resumed descending the hill with a puzzled mind toward my home. 

Of all that’s been written on this subject, Mark Vallen’s post about the art of the survivors struck my artist’s soul the most.

August 6th, 2005, marks the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Japan. August 9th, marks the bombing of Nagasaki. Those who survived the blasts became known as hibakusha (Atom Bomb Survivors), and in 1974 the hibakusha began contributing artworks to an unusual project that would preserve for the world their memories of atomic fire.

Do read the rest, about Vallen’s involvement and the website Art of the Hibakusha, that he has upgraded to commemorate the first… and hopefully last atomic war. The paintings comprising this exhibition are sober reminders of the reality of atomic warfare, created by people who actually lived through an atomic holocaust.

Also don’t miss reading about the amazing and powerful Hiroshima Panels, comparable to Picasso’s Guernica. View them at this online gallery.

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Melting Hand by Takakura Nobuko

August 8, 2005 in History, Other artists 3 Comments »

by Marja-Leena

Janus Study I

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Janus Study I
reduction drypoint
33 x 28.5 cm.

August 5, 2005 in Older Works, Printworks 6 Comments »

by Marja-Leena

Evolution: 80 Years of Emily Carr Institute

An unexpectedly nostalgic event is occurring at Emily Carr Institute. Formerly Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design. Formerly Emily Carr College of Art and Design. Formerly the Vancouver School of Art. Originally the Vancouver School of Decorative and Applied Arts, founded in 1925. The nostalgic event is Evolution: 80 Years of Emily Carr Institute Alumni, an exhibition of some 195 works spanning multiple generations, cultures, and media.

“This is the first-ever comprehensive show of alumni work,” says Wynne Palmer, alumni- society board member and Evolution curator. (In 1994, Sam Carter curated 64-94: Contemporary Decades, which surveyed 30 of the school’s then 69 years.) And, she adds, there’s never been a formal reunion of former VSA/ECI students. “It’s not only the 80th anniversary of the school but it’s also a homecoming of sorts for the alumni.

Read the whole article by art critic Robin Laurence in the Georgia Straight.

The opening is happening as I write this, and I’m sad that I’m not there as planned to see many artist friends and note the many big-name artists and admire their work. I had a medical appointment and errands in town this morning, and this afternoon I began to feel unwell and very tired, partly from the heat. Even a nap did not restore my enthusiasm to drive back and join the large crowds that I’m sure will be there. I have to comfort myself with the thought that I will later see all the work better without the bodies! I may even blog on the show after I’ve seen it.

If you are in Vancouver, this is a must-see exhibition, it continues to Aug 27, 2005 at Emily Carr Institute on Granville Island, Vancouver. Hours: 10:00am – 6:00pm

Update Aug.5.05: Howard Pennings, an ECI alumnus, attended the opening and took several photos – have a look.
 

August 4, 2005 in Art Exhibitions, Other artists Comments Off on Evolution: 80 Years of Emily Carr Institute

by Marja-Leena

art & civilization

..this quote from the guardian article “Civilisations are judged and remembered not by their most successful businessmen but by the art they leave behind.” yeah, sounds real nice if you can get over the fact it’s simplistic romanticized pap. perhaps in the sense of pre-history there is some truth in this. it’s hard to tell a businessman from a quarter inch piece of bleached knee bone. pottery and cave paintings are self evident. but once history began to be recorded i’d have to contend the exact opposite is the case.

This was written by the author of the nonist (a new-to-me blog) some time ago in a very thought-provoking rant concerning that ever perennial question, “what good are the arts?” Do read the whole post for he does make some sense while maybe needling the reader. However I really disagree with the above quote.

I think of the Renaissance period as a major example of where business and the arts collaborated to create some of mankind’s greatest art works. The wealthy businessmen and the wealthy churches were the patrons who supported and encouraged artists to create masterpieces for their homes, towns and churches. I guess what we need today are more patrons like the Medici family!

As for whether arts matters to society, I think of the many cities in the world that have great museums, opera houses, concert halls and theatres. Business and tourism thrives in these places, and the money that is made here is then spent enjoying the arts. Can you imagine Paris, Rome, London or New York without the arts?

I agree that many people are not interested in the arts at all, sadly, and I blame their deficient education. This brings to my mind the recent blog Finland Diary by Robert G. Kaiser and Lucian Perkins of the Washington Post who toured Finland to find out why it has the world’s best educational system, produces such talented musicians and architects, and is an economic success. (I blogged about it when it had just started.)

That’s enough of my mini-rant. Dear readers, are the arts important to a great civilization?

Addendum Aug.6.05: Here’s some interesting facts from the Alliance for Arts and Culture:

I think that the manifestation of our culture in terms of our identity is absolutely crucial.
-Prime Minister Paul Martin, on the subject of the Canadian Televison Fund, April29/03

Dollar amount that the arts contribute to Canada’s economy each year: $26 billion
Number of people who attend a live perfomance each year in Canada: 14 million (double the number who attend sporting events)

August 3, 2005 in Being an Artist, Culture 4 Comments »

by Marja-Leena

Adriel Heisey desert photos

After blogging about cuneiforms last week, I happened to go its source, the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Philadelphia. I noticed this announcement:

“FROM ABOVE: IMAGES OF A STORIED LAND,”Adriel Heisey’s Aerial Photographs of the American Southwest Desert Offer a Unique Look at Ancient and Modern Landscapes. It looks like a fascinating exhibition, on until October 2, 2005, so if you are in Philadelphia…

Chaco Canyon, Casas Grandes, and the Aztec Ruins National Monument are among the places photographed by Adriel Heisey, whose dramatic pictures are captured from a unique vantage point: his homebuilt, one-man, ultra-light airplane.[…] Heisey’s photographs offer viewers an uncommon opportunity to explore the complicated, curious, and often breathtaking patterns that people have imposed on the land over the years. The ruins of living structures and ritual facilities, remnants of roads, dry rivers and canals, and images carved into desert gravels that are featured in these images carry a wealth of information about how past generations of humans have pursued their basic needs. They mark important transitions such as the move from the migratory life of the hunter/gatherer to the more sedentary village life of early farmers and traders. At the same time, there is a juxtaposition of modern elements – new homes, cars, highways, fences, power lines, and even footprints – that remind the viewer of the unceasing nature of change and the ongoing impact of human interaction with the earth.

Disappointed that the museum website only features one image, I’ve been doing a bit of virtual exploring to learn more about Adriel Heisey. There’s an exhibition catalogue available, and National Geographic also has an article, photos and videos by Heisey on an earlier project, but not too many photos of this exhibition that I could find.

Inspired by the long list of sites photographed by Heisey, I went exploring and found many riches. Here are a few: Ancient Observatories: Chaco Canyon, Casas Grandes, which is also on the World Heritage List, and Aztec Ruins National Monument.

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Una Vida petroglyphs – from Chaco Culture National Historical Park

The American Southwest is an area I’ve never been to, but has numerous fascinating natural and manmade features that I dream of visiting and photographing myself one day, now re-inspired by Heisey. Hmm, I wonder why most archaeological sites seem to be in hot, dry places? (I’m heat intolerant.)

Update August 7.05: Here’s a review Art/Air Show by Edward J. Sozanski including a mention of a slide show of some of Heisey’s work.

August 2, 2005 in Photography, Rock Art & Archaeology 2 Comments »

by Marja-Leena

Lascaux & Lakota

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The Swan Winter Count

On a short lunch and rest break from final preparations for painting (rooms not canvas), I’m wandering through some favourite blogs. I’m really excited by these two posts about early man’s art and its reproduction, and unique record keeping by a first nations people:

Lascaux at Ionarts. I’m also envious that Charles Downey has personally seen the Spotted Horses in the cave of Pech Merle.

Lakota Winter Counts via Print Australia (or new name bellebyrd). Great online exhibit!

August 1, 2005 in Rock Art & Archaeology 2 Comments »

by Marja-Leena

Gates of Janus

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Gates of Janus
etching 56 x 38 cm.

August 1, 2005 in Older Works Comments Off on Gates of Janus

by Marja-Leena

long weekend

We all like our long weekends, and we are having one now with the first Monday in August being BC Day in British Columbia. I was curious to find out if all our provinces have such a provincially designated holiday (ie. not the national statutory ones like Christmas). Here’s what I learned from CanadaInfo:

The first Monday in August is holiday in most of the Provinces and Territories. What you will often find, however, is that its name changes from province to province, and even amongst different regions within a province. On calendars, it is generally labeled as “Civic Holiday” as not to be region specific. No matter what it is called, it is a much needed long weekend to augment the short Canadian summers.

The only other provinces designating it as a Province Day are New Brunswick and Saskatchewan. Manitoba, Nunavut and Northwest Territories call it a Civic Holiday, while Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island have Natal Day, and Alberta has Heritage Day. Ontario’s is designated as a municipal holiday with different names around the province. Quebec, Newfoundland/Labrador and the Yukon do not have a holiday on the first Monday of August but have other provincially designated holidays. Newfoundland and Labrador have six!

(Non-Canadian readers may find this map of provinces and territories of Canada of interest.)

So, after all these boring facts, you ask what are we doing this long weekend? After having had our floors refinished, we have now been vacuuming up the fine wood dust, patching walls and sanding wood window sills and trim, some of which have never been finished. After final sanding and vacuuming, we’ll paint the walls and ceilings, and varnish the wood! It’s hot and sticky so it’s early morning and evening shifts with afternoon siestas (or blogging)! It will look fresh and new again after fifteen years of family living!

Gotta go buy some more ceiling paint now! Hope you are having a great summer weekend!

July 31, 2005 in Canada and BC, Culture, Home Comments Off on long weekend