Real and Imaginary News…

Hope you have enjoyed the long, beautiful days of summer. Mine were way too busy as I registered for three courses -which was almost insane. One was at Emily Carr U, an intensive history of art course from the 16^th century to the present –a review from the Baroque to the Conceptual art in just a few weeks. Condensing five hundred years of visual art production is no easy fit! The course was quite demanding yet greatly rewarding but I’m very glad it’s over. My brain must have grown to accommodate so much information… I’m taking this as a fun and healthy way to stay far from Alzheimer…

Another was a science course at UBC. This was like entering the tip of a toe in an immense ocean of knowledge. I learned a tiny bit of astronomy, biology, zoology, robotics, neuroscience, virology, botany, fluid mechanics, and more. All totally foreign to me… There is so, so much to learn…

The last one is an online diploma program on art photography based in Berlin. This will carry on until next January. The dynamic is quite different as the instructors and the students are in different regions. We have reviewed how photography, from its first baby steps in the 1850’s, took painting by surprise revolutionizing the art world.  Now it is photography going through a similar daunting shift and looking for a place for itself. A very interesting moment…

With all this going on, I had little time for actual creation, though I kept creating in my head. Now I’m antsy and ready to start producing again.

 

My last message (Sept 4) was about an ‘imaginary’ exhibition at the new campus in Emily Carr U. Few people picked this up though it says so under the title. The idea came organically while I waited in the still not quite finished building. I photographed the blank walls. Later when I sat at my computer it occurred to me to ‘hang’ my work on those walls… Next, I wrote the story… And then, art has to be seen to exist… In retrospect, I realize it was not respectful to the university and I regret that. My creative molecules blinded my thinking… I highly recommend checking the building and the gorgeous installations. Soon there will be real exhibitions!

 

Now, on to real activities:

I’m proud to be participating in the Canada 150^th Culture Days Celebrations. On Saturday, Oct 1, 1h30 – 4h00 pm, I’m doing an exploration on creativity and imagination free workshop. This will be in the Board Room at the Richmond Art Gallery, details here.  To save your space, send me a message, and please share this with your friends and family. Looking forward to seeing you there. It will be cool!

 

On Saturday, Oct 7, 4h30 – 7h00 pm, I will lead the Art, Beach and Sunset Worldwide Photowalk. This walk is in support of The Springs of Hope Kenya Orphanage.   There is a photography contest with lots of prizes.  The meeting point is the Laughing Guys sculpture at Morton Park, West End. To enter the contest, you have to register. It’s free. Check details here.

 

And last, my next -and real- exhibition will be at my studio #480, 1000 Parker, during the Eastside Culture Crawl, Nov 16 – 19. The opening party is on Thursday 16, 5 pm to 10 pm. Friday 17, 5 pm to 10 pm. Saturday 18, and Sunday 19, 11 am to 6 pm. Mark your calendar. I’ll have more information in my next news.

 

My thoughts go to all have suffered through the ravages of the fires, the hurricanes, the earthquake, the wars… Hope we turn around while there’s still time…