Rich Collaborations
In this issue, art commissions are realized by a variety of teams working together to achieve a high level of quality and symbolic meaning.
Novus Textura
Novus Textura is a site-specific public art installation by Gordon Skilling and Jolie Bird, drawing on the metaphor of the urban fabric as a fun and playful way of representing new directions in the ongoing development of Calgary.
Located on 8th Avenue Galleria Trees. 2023-2025
Cloth in Context
Fine craft demands of its maker that they are the artist, the designer, the craftsman and the technician. Where then, does such hand-crafted work live within a culture that celebrates convenience coming from ‘fast’ design and ‘fast’ making. A culture where traditional craft knowledge and skills have been marginalized by mass production and mass consumption?
As curator and a maker, Gerber wants to show not only spectacular examples of contemporary surface and textile design but to highlight the often discounted aspect – the value added to fine craft by the slower aspects of fine craft making. Curated by Natalie Gerber (Calgary, AB) Participating Artists: Charis Birchall, Jolie Bird, Natalie Gerber, Bill Morton, and Irene Rasetti
Alberta Craft Discovery Gallery- 10186 106 Street NW, Edmonton, AB.
November 7- December 24, 2020- Free- Everyone welcome
FIELD TRIP: Art Across Canada
FIELD TRIP: Art Across Canada is a new online platform to deliver arts experiences with some of Canada’s most celebrated artists in a national partnership with leading arts organizations. From children’s programs to artist talks and workshops, these activities are designed to advance the work of our nation’s organizations through digital platforms for different age groups, on a range of subjects, that engage communities and support artists, particularly during the challenges presented during a pandemic.
Closing reception-The Discipline of Constructing
On the last day of the exhibition, I unwrapped the dot I created throughout the duration of the show. I estimated around 30-40 hours to wrap the dot and just over twelve minutes to unwrap. I was happy with the beautiful markings left behind from the glue, thread and indigo dye. Video by Janetrash
The Discipline of Constructing
Opening Reception Friday, January 17 @7pm
January 17- March 6, 2020.
In Anni Albers’ famous text Tactile Sensibility, the dedicated weaver stresses the importance of the tactile materiality rooted in the act of making, in craft: “we touch things in order to assure ourselves of reality. We touch the objects we love. We touch the things we form.” 'The discipline of constructing' by Jolie Bird is an ode to the process of making through the cadences of intimacy between the artist, her tools, and materials. The exhibition collates weavings, textile installation, in-gallery performances, and idea and skill sharing with the community. Throughout the duration of the show, Bird will be working in a representational artist’s studio, complete with a four-harness floor loom, assorted weaving tools, materials and snippets from her recent trip to Japan that informs the new body of work. Bird will also lead two workshops on the historical and cultural context of rope and knot making allowing participants to experience the tactile act of making both practical and decorative objects with their own hands.
Thing To Wear
Thing to Wear is a collection of kimono-inspired garments created by students, staff, faculty, and alumni from the Alberta University for the Arts (AUArts) under the expert guidance of Associate Professor, Bill Morton. Upon returning from Japan in 1983, Bill began teaching in the Fibre Program at AUArts (previously Alberta College of Art + Design). During this time, he also offered kimono construction and painting on silk workshops at Pearson College UWC, Red Deer College and the University of Alberta. Students enrolled in Bill’s courses have had the opportunity to produce kimono, and over the last five years, he has generously offered a kimono construction workshop twice a year to anyone in the school with a desire to learn. Many of the pieces are innovative, incorporating fibre processes such as digital printing, papermaking and eco printing alongside traditional methods like weaving, brush blending, wax resist, indigo, and potassium permanganate dyeing. Programming including a gallery tour, technical demonstrations by AUArts Fibre majors, and a talk with Bill provide some historical context into panel garments from Japan, and his experience working under master dyer, Kunio Isa.
Bill Morton is a Calgary-based artist and teacher. His work is collected and shown in the United States, Japan, China and Canada. A graduate of the Alberta College of Art (1967), he studied in Japan from 1969 to 1983 including ten years apprenticing with a Master Dyer.
“My process is open-ended, offering limitless opportunities for exploration of colour and pattern. Each piece reflects a particular state of mind. The techniques I use take time and patience and require focus as unanticipated variations can occur when material, colour and process coalesce into something new.” -Bill Morton
November 21- December 14th, 2019
Public Programs
Gallery Tour with Jolie Bird and Bill Morton
Thursday November 21, 2019
1-2pm
Shibori Demo with Jolie Bird
Saturday November 23, 2019
2-4pm
Weaving Demo with Jingyi Ye
Sunday November 24, 2019
Tuesday November 26, 2019
Tuesday December 3, 2019
Tuesday December 10, 2019
Thursday December 12, 2019
2-4pm
Silk Painting Demo with Bill Morton
Thursday November 28, 2-4pm
2-4pm
Stencil Cutting Demo with Bill Morton
Thursday December 5, 2-4pm
2-4pm
Kimono Life Drawing
Hosted by Noah Richardson and Chichi Kimono
Supported by the Calgary Japanese Community Association
Saturday November 30, 2019
2-4pm
Thursday December 5, 2019
6-8pm
Saturday December 7, 2019
2-4pm
register here
All programs are free and open to the public