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A guide to the best exhibitions and events in the visual arts
A reprised version of a 1981 drawing installation by the Conceptual art figurehead Sol LeWitt alongside a collection of LeWitt’s book works concludes Mercer Union’s 30th-anniversary year with a nod to the continued relevance of an ideas-first approach to contemporary art. On view July 10 to Aug. 18. Mercer Union, 1286 Bloor St. W.
Gallery 44’s annual spotlight on emerging photographers provides a key indicator of who and what to watch for in new photographic practices, including this year’s rising-artist contingent of Karen Zalamea, Christophe Jivraj, Aislinn Leggett, Meryl McMaster and Roger Proulx. July 9 to Aug. 7. Gallery 44, 120–401 Richmond St. W.
This year’s theme for CONTACT, “Pervasive Influence,” explores the authority of photography in a society devoted to the image. It asks: what are the illusions that images create, and are they preferable to reality? And how does that relationship transform human behaviour? Art practices today increasingly utilize the codes of advertising, the force of propaganda, the stylization of marketing campaigns—and vice versa. Marshall McLuhan’s theories offer a perfect frame for the theme. His ideas question the social effects of images, mass media and technology, as well as the way one medium of communication relates to, and may ultimately replace, another.
Bonnie Rubenstein is the Artistic Director of CONTACT. The photo festival runs from May 1 to 31 at venues in downtown Toronto.
In “StomeAche,” the Russian-born artist Olga Chagaoutdinova takes a heartbreaking journey into self-discovery. Tragedy, suffering and triumph: it’s all here. In two videos, she addresses the pain that’s settled through generations of preglasnost relatives. Evoking a modern-day Anna Magnani in Roberto Rossellini’s classic 1945 film Roma, città aperta, Chagaoutdinova endures an endless onslaught of crashing waves, emerging from each one open-eyed and hopeful. For those of us searching for our own happy ending, her performance is both magical and inspiring. Patrick Mikhail is the director of Patrick Mikhail Gallery. Olga Chagaoutdinova’s exhibition “Stome-Ache” is on view at the gallery until Apr. 10, 2401 Bank St., Ottawa.
The explosive drama of international headline news informs a sequence of meticulously staged large-scale photographic tableaux by the Montreal duo. From Apr. 29 to May 22. Nicholas Metivier Gallery, 451 King St. W.
Ordinary materials like concrete, fabric, cardboard, plastic, foam and tape are the starting points for an array of “anti-monuments” in an exhibition of sculptures by the B.C. artists Elspeth Pratt and Lynda Gammon and the Beacon, New York, artist Matt Harle, curated by Micah Lexier. Until May 30. Oakville Galleries, 120 Navy St.
Aquin uncovers poetic beauty in the midst of China’s ongoing industrial boom in his award-winning photo series “Chinese Dust Bowl.” Until Apr. 10. Stephen Bulger Gallery, 1026 Queen St. W.
From the dynamism of Parisian street scenes to poetic views of the French countryside, this survey show of more than 100 images from the National Gallery of Canada’s permanent collection pays homage to the pioneering vision of French photographers such as Nadar, Eugène Atget, Maxime Du Camp, Édouard Baldus, Gustave Le Gray and Auguste Salzmann, among others. Until May 16. 380 Sussex Dr., Ottawa.
A classic sidekick and psychological foil takes centre stage in Hurlbut’s “Shut Up,” a display of installation and photo works based on 1950s ventriloquists’ dummies. March 25 to Apr. 24. Georgia Scherman Projects, 133 Tecumseth St.
The Montreal artist’s ongoing fascination with the ephemeral nature of light, shadow, colour and gesture underlies “Intrigues,” a mid-career roundup of projections, videos and photographic works made since 2001. From Apr. 10 to May 9. Cambridge Galleries, 1 North Sq.
Themes of life, death and spiritual rebirth get epic treatment in an expanded version of the noted German artist’s Palmsonntag (Palm Sunday). To Aug. 1. Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St. W.
Patterson grapples with childhood memories of a long-lost best friend in Grudge Match, a sculptural construction and stop-motion animation that posits a futurepast narrative for the pair’s missing relationship. Fuglem responds to the intangibilities of space in a site-specific installation on view concurrently. Opens May 1. Rodman Hall Art Centre, 109 St. Paul Cres., St. Catharines.
The Bucharest-based artist stormed onto the international art scene in the late 1990s with graffiti-styled line drawings that made critical fodder out of everything from post–Cold War politics to local gossip. This spring, Perjovschi puts Toronto at the centre of his satirical world view in Late News, a new floor-to-ceiling installation that fills the ROM’s Institute for Contemporary Culture. Continues to Aug. 15. Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park.
The veteran conceptual artist transforms a biodiesel-powered delivery van into a mobile art/environmentaleducation lab for a collaborative project carried out with No.9: Contemporary Art & the Environment, the Toronto District School Board and the Art Gallery of Ontario. From Apr. 1 to May 31. Various locations.
Lee adds a painterly touch to his ongoing exploration of photographic processes and the authenticity of modern image-making in “Painting Photography,” a show of recent works created by printing found digital imagery on vintage photo paper, then manipulating the still-wet ink. Opens May 20. Clark & Faria, 55 Mill St.
Talk to take place January 26 at the Art Gallery of Ontario
Canadian premiere of new Marina Abramović documentary to be fêted February 22 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox
All our best wishes for the new year to come
Talks by Dan Cameron and Annie Cohen-Solal, free gallery programs among highlights of 2011
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Free exhibition at the Power Plant highlights our nation’s emerging painting stars
Award in Portrait Photography category recognizes Donald Weber's artist project in the Fall 2010 issue
More than 300 GTA teens enjoy free downtown-Toronto gallery talks during this fall’s School Hop
In 2010, at the age of 35, Toronto artist/DJ/promoter/activist Will Munro succumbed to brain cancer. Here, David Balzer reviews the first big survey of Munro’s work, which makes apparent how talented, prolific and perceptive this creator was.
The Dulwich Picture Gallery’s recent Group of Seven show was one of the UK museum’s biggest hits ever, drawing 41,000 visitors. The attention was deserved, writes Sarah Milroy, as the exhibition offered new insights even to seasoned Canadian-art observers.
The Occupy movement has galvanized the way we think about haves and have-nots. But where do artists fit in? As Joseph R. Wolin observes in this review of David Altmejd’s show at the Brant Foundation, context can be as powerful as content in determining the split.
What happens to identity when our relationship to land and language is disrupted? This is a key question raised in “A Stake in the Ground,” an exhibition of works by 25 First Nations artists, curated by Nadia Myre, that’s currently at Montreal gallery Art Mûr.
Our education and careers site has just posted more stories and tips to help students achieve a great winter term. Highlights include a profile of internationally renowned fashion designer Jeremy Laing, a Q&A on grad schools and more.
