GASTROSOPHY

Dear friends,
You're invited to Gastrosophy, an exhibition about the art and science of good eating. I am one of seven artists exploring the social, political and cultural functions of food in this exhibit.

They examine themes of its substance, social value, personal and cultural experiences, rituals of preparation and consumption and issues related to global production and distribution across media. Ultimately, the question that binds all of these artists together is: “What are we actually doing when we sit down to eat?” — Olivia Chow, Curator

At the opening, I will be performing a piece titled Practical Magick; of Kitchen Witchery where I will be sharing bread and tea in the kitchen space.
This piece explores mundane magic and subtle acts of superstition that are taken for granted in our everyday lives, for example, tossing spilled salt over your left shoulder or using aloe vera. The artwork was inspired by the innocuous doll in my mother's kitchen—the traditional scandinavian poppet, known as a Kitchen Witch, used as a rustic talisman to protect the home and bring good luck—and evolved to encompass references to superstitions, old wives tales, folk magic and ancient pagan traditions.
Because the kitchen is associated with the hearth and is of great importance to folk magic traditions throughout history, I choose to occupy the kitchen space of the gallery, transforming it through performance of rituals like baking bread and brewing tea. In this work, I recreate the space of my kitchen at home by bringing objects from my collection, and creations of more recent origin for the purpose of the exhibition to share with the viewer. I perform the role of kitchen witch—a solitary practitioner of domestic magic and personalized rituals.

The exhibit will also feature a performance of making traditional chinese dumplings. Caution: it may contain flour, meat, shrimp, vegetable, soy, sugar, sesame and traces of peanuts

Join me at the reception tomorrow!
Friday, March 7, from 7 to 10 pm
at The Works Gallery at Jackson Power, 9754 - 60 Ave

 

Magick Breadz

May whoever eats this bread have their hunger nourished and their wishes fulfilled. As the oven heated the bread and transformed it from its basic ingredients to something beautiful, so shall your desires be given energy and strength to be birthed into something amazing!
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SHINING STARS

In mere hours, a cold dark alley is being transformed into the site of an outdoor art exhibition, pop-up shop and an ice bar. Having participated in Illuminite last year, I was asked to judge the artworks at the event, now in its second year. Incorporating the element of light, "artists, designers and the creatively inspired join in the design competition that will create the outdoor gallery in the Alley of Light." Judging begins at 5pm. Hope to see you there!

AND THE WINNER IS ... ME

While you were all watching the Golden Globes, I was stroking my own trophy. Jokes aside, I had a good time building Fleeced for the Thaw Hut Design Challenge last weekend — with lots of help from the two most important men in my life. First place was just a bonus! Thanks to MADE in Edmonton and the Deep Freeze Festival on Alberta Avenue for holding a very interesting event. It was great to see so many different responses to the idea of shelter on a small scale. It also gave the attendees pause to think about architecture in an accessible, relatable way.

 

FULL DISCLOSURE

I will be down on 118 Avenue this weekend setting up a sculpture for the MADE Thaw Hut Competition, as part of the Deep Freeze Festival happening this weekend in Alberta Avenue, as previously noted. For this temporary outdoor show, I've decided to rework an earlier sculpture I did for Latitude 53. This, I'm guessing, is probably against all the rules and ethical codes of artists. But hey, we're in a park not a museum. I'm just happy to bring it out of my garage so it will see the light of day once again. Then again, I'm a keener, so I wrote this very academic Artist's Statement to go with it. Enjoy!

The concept for Fleeced was inspired by one of the most common forms in architecture – the dome. Its very shape suggests solidity and privacy. By providing the participant with a place to feel safe and protected from the elements, this hut not only gives physical protection from the cold and wind, but it encourages the viewer to take psychological comfort under its roof. The blanket of felted wool material covering the shelter further imbues it with connotations of coziness and warmth.
However, this experience is troubled by its the tent-like construction which is ultimately temporary and transient. The hut resides in the liminal zone between the boundaries of private and public, for its lack of walls deprives the occupants of their privacy and leaves the participant with the feeling of being watched. Fleeced is evocative of the psycho-analytic concept unheimlich or uncanny — described as exposing something to public view that was or should have been concealed.

 

SCHMANCY

Well, Schmoozy did not dissappoint! It was a packed house on Saturday, and I got to catch up with lots of people I haven't seen for ages. Nights like these always remind me of all the amazing artists and creative people that make life in Edmonton worth it, while bringing a bit of glamour to gloomy winters. Here are some of my favourite faces.

Rob Batke, an awesome musician (who happens to also be my oldest friend since kindergarten!)

Kirsta Franke (left) is one half of the lady-team that makes the 124 Street Grand Market happen. Mackenzy Albright (center) and Rachelle Bowen (right) are two ultra-cool artists who sometimes collaborate and also happen to be romantically involved.

The adorable Janis Galloway, fashion blogger and Marketing Coordinator at the AGA

The super-talented artist/designers Jeff Klassen and Sergio Serrano pictured here with a lovely lady who's name is Aimee.

Partners in life and art, Josh Holinaty and Genevieve Simms, pictured here with rapper and writer Omar Mouallam. Too much awesomeness!

TONIGHT!

I am pretty excited to be shooting photos for Latitude 53 tonight at their fundraiser event The Fine Art of Schmoozy. Some fabulous artwork up for auction if you want to drop by and support the gallery. If you can't make it, consider buying a membership or giving one as a gift. This place is one of the raddest — and oldest — artist run centres in western Canada, and are preparing for their big move to a larger space on the main floor of the building next door. Exciting!

Don your gay apparel and come celebrate with live music and fancy cocktails while you peruse neat artworks like this one and I snap your best serious-art-collector expression.

This work by Adriean Koleric is just one of the pieces we’re hanging in the gallery for the Schmoozy silent auction this week—we’ll be posting more photos over the next few days.

Donated artwork by Adriean Koleric

Scrappy Happiness

Once upon a time (last year) I used to identify as a band photographer, in an amateur kind of way. Mostly, i just felt like I had found a community of like-mided people and it was fun to feel like I had a purpose. Shows tend to evoke those feelings of being part of something larger – of belonging. Last night, I rekindled my love affair with taking pictures of people making sounds.

 

 

Thank you Joel Plaskett. It was a magical night.