Calder Exhibit

I  spent a delightful afternoon (Feb. 17) at the museum (MBAM) wandering through the Calder exhibit. I first heard of Calder back in the 1960s. His sculpture, Trois Disques prominent at Expo 67 and is still on St. Helen's Island. A smaller version now sits in from of the museum.

There is an art to displaying art works and I have to congratulate the curators who came up with the plans for this exhibit. Much of Calder's work is whimsical - the lighting caused the shadows to be, at times, as important as the work. How many fish...

In the early years, Calder liked to work with wire and pliers to bend it into the shapes he envisioned.  The shadow gives us another angle at which to admire this creation.

I loved this idea of making the canvas three dimensional. And again - the play of the shadows added to the piece.

Some of his pieces are quite large. This one played with balance. I enjoyed both the positive and the negative - and the delightful playfulness. I had hoped to get back a second time but the exhibit closes on Friday and I ran out of time.

La Balade pour la Paix: An Open Air Art Museum

As part of the celebrations of Montreal's 375th anniversary (I know - that is a random number to celebrate), the Musée des Beaux Arts has mounted an outdoor museum, with sculpture and photographs on Sherbrooke Street stretching several blocks. The totem pole, which I wrote about here is part of this.

This sculpture, Dancing Nana, is by Niki de Saint Phalle (1930-2002), and was created in1995 according to the museum site (below). She towers over the fence around the McGill campus.

Lurking not far off is this wolf, a creation of Joe Fafard, a Canadian sculptor. I have featured some of his work before.

• Emily Carr
• Horses
• Cow

Further west on the campus is this circle of men, The Meeting, by Chinese artist Wang Shugang (born in 1960).

This pyramid of people is also located on the campus, somewhat obscured from my vantage point. It is called Human Structures and is by Jonathan Borofsky (born in 1942), It was created in 2010.



There are also photographs by a variety of photographers, slowing my walk as I stop to admire and, in many cases, reflect on the subject of the image.

This iconic image by Robert Indiana can be found in different colours in different places. I have seen it in Philadelphia and someone who checks out my Flickr photos saw one in Malaysia.

While I love seeing all the art, I am less enamoured with the flags which only seem to clutter the street.  Installing the standards that hold them must have been done at quite a cost - money far better spent on other things - maybe even more money for the arts!

https://www.mbam.qc.ca/en/exhibitions/on-view/balade-paix-an-open-air-museum/

Remixing

I have featured this sculpture on my blog before, but today I was looking at it with new eyes. I have been involved in CLMOOC and read Karen LaBonte's thoughtful blog post Pondering Remix. It made me think about ownership, about using other people's work with respect and about when it is appropriate and when it is not . This sculpture is itself a remix - using an actual imprint of the newspaper of the day. If you go to the photo on Flickr you can zoom in and see it in more detail.



Here is a detail - showing the back of the newspaper. Is this an infringement of copyright? The sculpture is by John Seward Johnson and I discovered he has done a similar sculpture using a Philadelphia newspaper. We walk a fine line between what is acceptable and what is not and in this litigious society there seems to be a push to claim almost anything as something to patent or copyright. I was glad that the recent court case about Stairway to Heaven resolved that Led Zeppelin did not break copyright.

Here are some of the questions Karen brought up

• What does it mean to “own” something composed we’ve composed? If we are remixing someone’s composition, then where does that ownership begin and end? Does it matter? (If not, why is intellectual property law such a booming field?) Is ownership in the intention or act of communicating? In the product?

I'll add some of my own -

• When is it honouring someone to do something "inspired by"?
• When is it just copying?
• In an era when it is so easy to take and remix, how do we teach students the importance of supporting artists (writers, musicians...) by paying for their work?
• I heard recently that the Eiffel Tower has a copyright on any photos taken at night. Photographers who post night time shots can be sued, especially if they charge for these shots - when is something in the public really private? (an article from my friend Barb: http://artlawjournal.com/night-photos-eiffel-tower-violate-copyright/

I am all for a the concept of sharing. In fact virtually all my photos on Flickr are there with a creative commons license (I would like credit for them, though). I do think when I photograph artwork as above - how will this image be used by someone else? Will they give the artist credit along with the photographer? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Keep Him Warm

I love public art and this sculpture is one of my favourites. Seeing the hat on this fellow made me smile. I loved the idea of people interacting with the sculpture in a playful way. He could probably use a scarf as well. Public art should be enjoyed (though not graffitied).

Public Art

Tai Chi Single Whip is a sculpture that sits at one end of Square Victoria. While I have walked through the square many times, my starting point is usually at the metro exit and I continue south, so this was my first encounter with this sculpture. It is by Ju Ming, a Taiwanese artist. Public art is so important to me. I like to stop and linger, admire. It is a refreshing change from the advertising, the logos, the garish store signs that dominate much of downtown.



I am sure I have featured this one before. The Illuminated Crowd by Raymond Mason is on McGill College. The sun really illuminated it and I could not resist taking another photograph. I walk a lot in the city and the many pieces of art I pass always add interest to my day. Like reading books, each time I pass I may see something new as the quality of the light and time of day changes the look of the piece and my reaction to it.

A Bit of Ottawa

 Photos: September 25, 2015

We spent a few days in Ottawa, mainly to see people, but we walked and saw some sights, too. I like the openness of Parliament Hill. Despite the tragic shooting last fall, it is still a place where people can walk and enjoy.


 

New to me was this monument by Barbara Patterson (it was unveiled in 2000, but I guess I have never walked past it before):  "Women are Persons"  It commemorates  five Alberta women, the Famous Five (Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney and Henrietta Muir Edwards)  who fought to have women recognized as persons.   You can learn more about it here.



This is a one of the figures in the monument. I think I would be toasting the victory with more than a cup of tea!

No Respect

As anyone who reads my blog knows, I love public art. This sculpture attracted my attention when I first saw it. I featured it here. Now it is defaced by a tagger who has no respect for the work of others.

I am outraged by this attitude. And it is prevalent - whether it is defacing other people's art work or defacing buildings taggers destroy. In contrast are murals by street artists - that is something to celebrate.

Bundled Up

Bundled Up, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

It's always fun to come across the unexpected. I photographed this sculpture last winter, but this year I had a surprise. Some kind soul had knitted a hat and scarf to keep this fellow warm.



I'm not sure it warmed him up, but it certainly made me smile. It has been a very cold winter. I'm getting tired of walking around like a turtle, with my head pulled into my coat as much as possible. When the weather warms we stand up straighter. It will come.... but when?

Le Malheureux Magnifique

Le Malheureux Magnifique, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Photos: February 26, 2014

I passed this sculpture on my way to meet up with others for dinner. It represents despair, sadness, but also reflection. As a bitter, damp wind whipped at me, I felt that heaviness of feeling no end to winter.



I refuse to let winter get me down. Once inside the restaurant, the warmth of family and friendship cancelled out those wintery blues. The evening happened because we had tickets to see Margie Gillis. She is a contemporary dancer who has broken many preconceived notions about dance. She is 60 and was celebrating 40 years of choreographing. Her usually one woman shows are trips into many human emotions, and yes - despair is sometimes featured, but also incredible joy. She does not have a typical dancer's body, yet she embodies dance. She conveys the human spirit in an honest, open way, its frailties, its anguish, its complexities and its pleasures. At 60 she is a model for women conveying the vibrancy of women of this age. What a pleasure to watch her.

You can see excerpts of her dance here.

More information on the sculpture (only in French) or go to my Flickr image

Sleeper

Sleeper, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

I love to find surprises in my city and I always appreciate finding public art. I noticed these sculptures last week while waiting for a bus and this week chose to go take a closer look. They are in Cabot Square. They are all by the artist, Robert Lorrain.




Oblivious to the frigid temperatures and snow, he sleeps on. I enjoyed walking around the square and discovering these pieces.




I was able to find the title of this one, L'Héroine d'Amérique. She stands at the corner, watching traffic go by.



I like her attitude. She stands tall against whatever she faces.



This horse looks like he took a mouthful of snow. He seems to be enjoying the weather. These are just a few of the sculptures in the square. I'll have to go back in the spring when some of the titles might be visible.

Horse to Horse

Horse to Horse, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Across from the Théâtre-St-James is this sculpture by Botero, The Volumptuous Man. I saw a caleche approaching and waited for an opportune moment to catch the horses communicating. Art meets real life.

Out in the Cold

Out in the Cold, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Our hardy sculptures don't mind the cold. This computer whiz sits out day and night, winter and summer, engrossed in his screen, fast food sustaining him. His concentration is such that the squirrel has managed to take his share from the bag.



Here is a detail of the sculpture - frozen in time in more ways than one. I was not willing to linger long. The wind was whipping up the snow creating a feeling of cold that was colder than the thermometer indicated. I'll have to go back in warmer weather to find the artist's name. S/he deserves to be acknowledged.

Addendum:
I was back in the area today in much nicer weather. It reminded me that revisiting (art, books, films) always provides another layer of understanding. Here's what I found. The sculpture is by Cedric Loth and was done in 2011. And what is the boy so intent on? Here is the computer screen:



which in English means: Steve Jobs is dead. 1955-2011.

Is it Art

Is it Art, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

This installation is in place for the summer as part of the museums outdoor sculpture exhibit. As a result the street is closed to traffic. Is it art? What makes something art? I can't say it does anything for me. What about you?




This piece can be found further up the street. I like its form and the spaces. I find it whimsical, playful... We appreciate art with our emotions, our eyes and our experiences.

Horses in the City

Horses in the City, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

I really wanted to find out who the artist is who created these horses. I wanted to have a closer look. BUT... I was not allowed to approach. They are located next to the circular driveway which goes to the entrance to the National Art Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. Pedestrians have to stay on the sidewalk on the other side of the driveway.



So if there is a plaque naming the artist, I could not even try to find it. I did like these prancing equines, but could only get closer with the zoom on my camera :-(

24/08/12
A friend just let me know that these are by Joe Fafard - a wonderful artist from Saskatchewan. One of his cows can be found here.

Without Words

Without Words, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

I tend to react to art as to whether I like it or I don't. It's a gut reaction, an emotional reaction. I don't pretend to know whether it's good or mediocre.

There was something about this one that struck me as whimsical. A literate person? He's easy to read? He's like an open book? He just sits there, perhaps mulling things over.

It's great that the museum has so many pieces of sculpture outdoors, accessible to all.

Under a Snowy Blanket

Under a Snowy Blanket, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

There she sat, holding her baby to her under the snowy blanket. Her bronze body didn't shiver.

Yet there are many homeless whose human flesh braves all elements as they seek out warmth in doorways, in metro stations - wherever warmth and shelter can be found. Recently a homeless man was shot by police in one of our metro stations. His mental state led to aggression. We have closed psychiatric beds, tried to medicate people out of their illnesses and sent them off. Without supervision and financial means, some end up on the streets. Surely, we can find better ways to support those who need it, to help them live safer and happier lives.

Deer from Crete

Deer from Crete, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Funny this photography bug -I'm trying for now to keep up with a photo a day. I've joined a group called Today's Posting, hoping their daily suggestions will inspire me. Today's challenge: find a statue, sculpture, or fountain and make a photograph of it today. Consider the time of day and light.

A weekend in Casselman does not provide many opportunities to find public art or fountains. So I hunted around for a sculpture and found this one. According to my spouse, who acquired this in Crete, the deer were revered, as they killed snakes. Here is a sculpture he remembered seeing in Chania (we found it via Google maps).

Emily Carr et ses amis

Emily Carr et ses amis, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

I love to come across public art. This one was new to me. It is a sculpture by Joe Fafard - Emily Carr et ses amis. I am a fan of both Fafard and Carr and it is nice to see an artist pay hommage to another.

Emily Carr was born in 1871. She certainly didn't follow tradition. A painter, a writer and a non-conformist, she is known best for her paintings of British Columbia, particularly those done in the Kwakiutl villages. You can learn more about her here. If you search for images on Google you will find many examples of her work as well as photographs of the artist herself.

Joe Fafard is a contemporary artist. I have photographed a cow he did, which lies near the Museum of Fine Arts in Montreal. The cow has recently been moved around the corner and now lies on grass. Learn more about Joe Fafard here.

Burgher of Calais

Burgher of Calais, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

I walked past the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts this morning. This sculpture, one of the Burghers of Calais by Rodin has been standing in front of the museum for a number of years. Odd that I should see it today as last night I saw the film, Midnight in Paris. I enjoyed the film, but I particularly enjoyed revisiting Paris - and the Rodin Museum garden. I have been there twice, each time revelling in the powerful work of Rodin.

I remember reading a historical novel about him: Naked Came I by David Weiss. It still sits on my bookshelf. Maybe it is time for a re-read.

James McGill

James McGill, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Photo taken May 13, 2011
I sometimes walk through the campus of McGill University. This sculpture of  James McGill was placed there after I graduated (some time in the last century). With the grey rainy days we have been having, he seems appropriately dressed for the weather.

McGill left a bequest for the establishment of a college which ultimately bore his name.