October 5, 2011

Kamloops Art Gallery

[Experience Participate Indulge]

October at the Gallery

Exhibitions

Tara Gardner

The Bones, 2011

video still from The Bones

Tara Gardner

The Bones

September 17 to October 29, 2011

The Cube

The Cube is transformed into a projection room for Tara Gardner’s The Bones. Gardner explores her family history through a digitally recorded performance of herself playing a Celtic instrument called the bones. The instrument was one of the few creative endeavours passed on to the artist by her father who valued hard work and utilitarian skills over creativity and artistry. The movement required to play this instrument and the framing of the work draw the viewer in while the practice of playing the music serves as a reminder of the artist’s father and a way of dealing with grief after his passing in 2009. Gardner blends traditional with contemporary music playing along to country songs on the artist’s MP3 player.

Curated by Craig Willms, KAG Assistant Curator

REDress Project.jpg

Jaime Black

REDress Project

October 4 to 8, 2011

In Collaboration with Centre for innovation in Culture and the Arts in Canada (CiCAC), Community-University Research Alliance (CURA), Interior Indian Friendship Society, Kamloops Indian Band, Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre, Secwepemc Cultural Education Society and Thompson Rivers University, the KAG’s Gallery Under Glass and main exhibition galleries will be two of the host locations for Jaime Black’s REDress Project, featured throughout the community of Kamloops. The project is a visual art installation with strong ties to the community and broader public. The REDress Project is based on an aesthetic response to the more than 600 missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada.

Evan Lee

Evan Lee
Stain #1, 2003
C-print
Couresty of the artist

On the Nature of Things

October 15 to December 31, 2011

To many Canadians the title of this exhibition will bring to mind David Suzuki’s longstanding science and nature television series of a similar name. However, in the context of this art exhibition the title is meant to summon up the words and images created by Roman poet and philosopher Lucretius in his epic poem De rerum natura. Its purpose was to explain Epicurean philosophy to Roman audiences in the 1st century BC.

In keeping with Lucretius’ clinamen principle, the exhibition On the Nature of Things is organized with a multi-directional and non-linear curatorial approach that highlights individual artistic practices through a close reading of specific works. Rather than choose one specific theme or medium to pursue, the exhibition introduces a number of subjects (or avenues) to explore. The artists in this exhibition share an interest in returning to strikingly Modernist forms and structures. Sampling from a wide range of sources as diverse as advertising, found photographs, driftwood and modernist art, these artists employ surrealist wit to repurpose clichéd forms from our everyday urban environment and popular culture into extra-ordinary aesthetic tropes that challenge a stable understanding of both art and our modernity.

The artists include Kim Kennedy Austin, Andrew Dadson, Sarah Dobai, Rodney Graham, Alexander Gutke, Sofia Hulten, Jack Jeffrey, Evan Lee, Kristi Malakoff, Shannon Oksanen, Kathy Slade, Gordon Smith, T&T (Tony Romano and Tyler Brett), Jacques de la Villeglé, and Neil Wedman.

Guest curated by Patrik Andersson

Sponsored by B-100 and Jane Irwin & Ross Hill

Calendar of Events

‘(official denial) trade value in progress’

An ongoing dialogic project initiated by artist Leah Decter and curated by Jaimie Isaac

Presented in Kamloops in collaboration with Centre for innovation in Culture and the Arts in Canada (CiCAC)

In September of 2009, Stephen Harper delivered a speech to the G20 Summit in which he stated that ‘Canada also has no history of Colonialism’. ‘(official denial) trade value in progress’ appropriates the latter statement as a springboard for dialogue. A textile piece made up of a composite of Hudson Bay blankets reaching 12 feet high with this statement machine-sewn at the center, acts as the platform for response and dialogue.

‘(official denial) trade value in progress’ invites people to interact with Harper’s statement by writing their response to it in a book when the piece is presented in public, and through series of sewing actions where people choose a response that someone else has contributed, and hand sew it onto the blanket.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, October 7, 3:00 to 6:00 pm

Student Street, Old Main Building, Thompson Rivers University

Participatory sewing with Leah Decter and Jaime Issac

Saturday, October 8, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Kamloops Art Gallery, BMO Open Gallery

Participatory sewing and responses with Leah Decter and Jaime Issac

Curator’s Exhibition Tour

Saturday, October 15

5:30 to 6:30 pm

Guest curator Patrik Andersson discusses On the Nature of Things. Patrik Andersson is an Associate Professor in Critical + Cultural Studies at Emily Carr University of Art and Design. He teaches contemporary art and ideas that are informed by his freelance activities as an art critic and curator. He holds a PhD in Art History from the University of British Columbia. He is co-founder of Made Magazine (2002) and co-editor/author with Judith Steedman of the book Inside Magazines (published 2002 by BIS, Amsterdam / Thames and Hudson, London / Gingko Press, San Francisco). Since 1997 Andersson has curated, published artist books and produced editions for artists under the name Trapp Projects.

Members’ Preview and Opening Reception

Saturday, October 15

6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Members and their families and friends are invited to join Patrik Andersson, Guest Curator for the opening of On the Nature of Things.

Art Classes

Sponsored by London Drugs, McDonald’s, Spectra Energy and Teck Highland Valley Copper

Art Classes offer opportunities for all ages to learn about art. Focussing on KAG’s current exhibitions, the classes include tailored tours and discussions, followed by instruction in art techniques, basic design concepts and various art media. Participation in KAG art class activities is inspirational, educational, enlivening and fun.

FOR EVERYONE

Community Group Program

If you are a community group interested in customized art experience, the Kamloops Art Gallery offers a variety of options appropriate for all ages and levels of art experience. Days and times are arranged based on needs and availability.

Guided Interactive Tour

60-minute exhibition tour
$35 per group, plus Gallery admission at group rate
maximum 20 participants

Guided Tour and Workshop

30-minute exhibition tour
60-minutes experiential workshops
$50 per group, plus Gallery admission at group rate
maximum 20 participants

Customized Series of Workshops

weekly two-hour experiential workshops with exhibition tour component
multiple weeks (6 weeks recommended)
$70/week per group
maximum 16 participants

birthday parties

Birthday Parties

The ultimate in birthday fun!

Leave the party arrangements to us and we will provide:

large, bright studio and party decorations
guided tour of current exhibition(s)
supervised arts and crafts activities
art-related goody bags (optional, $4.00 each)

We set up and clean up. You provide your own food, beverages and birthday cake.

Availability: Saturdays between 10:30 am and 4:00 pm

Length: Two hours per party

Fee: $145 (members receive a discount)

Maximum 20 guests plus the birthday person.

For children’s parties you must have one adult supervisor for every eight children. Ages 5 and up.

Four weeks advance booking and 50% deposit required. Two weeks notice required for cancellation.

Contact Tarin Hughes at 250-377-2405 to book a community proram or party.

Store logo

The Gallery Store has one of the most unique and intriguing selections of girftware and Canadian art merchandise in Kamloops. The Store offers quality products and specializes in modern Canadian design and fine craft with a focus on products created by local and BC artists, artisans and designers. Come let our knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff show you our wide range of authentic First Nation’s goods, Canadian made jewellery, paper products, designer giftware and children’s games and activities.

Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm

Thursday: 10 am to 9 pm

Closed Sunday and Statutory Holidays

Administration

Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm

Admission

Gallery Members and children under 6 years Free

Adults $5

Families $10

Students and Seniors $3

Groups of 10 or more $3 each

Free admission every Thursday sponsored by bclc

Ensure that you have a current membership to receive free admission every day!

Memberships & Donations

Membership in the Kamloops Art Gallery is a great way to become involved in the world of art, support and encourage the visual arts in Kamloops, and help ensure a stimulating community in which to live and work.

Your membership continues for 12 months from the time of purchase and comes with many privileges and benefits. Join a growing number of your friends, neighbors and colleagues who already enjoy the benefits of membership in the Kamloops Art Gallery.

Available on-line at http://www.kag.bc.ca/supportus/membership.htm

and/or make a tax-deductible donation at http://www.kag.bc.ca/supportus/donations.htm