Browsing “The Arts”

Be sure to head over to Calgary Folk Music Festival’s Flickrstream and enjoy some excellent shots from last weekend’s festivities:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/calgaryfolkfest/

What do King Kong, Godzilla, Bigfoot, Yeti, Narwhal and a Unicorn all have in common? They are troublemakers of the everyday world, they are looked at and called Freaks. Not your average bunch of freaks. In their world, being a misfit is the way to be. And you’re in luck – they’re holding a Geeks of Nature Party and you’re invited!

The creator behind Podgypanda is New Zealand artist Richard Kuoch, Using his background in animation and graphic design, he creates characters and illustrations that show his “fun and unique take on life through art”.

The show runs from August 5th to September 1st, 2010 at Nation Toys and Tees located on the lower level of Art Central (100 – 7th Ave SW).  Mark your calendars for the exhibit opening on August 5th from 6PM to 9PM.

More info can be found at www.podgypanda.com and http://thisisnation.com.

Drop in to Green Calgary’s EcoStore over the next two weeks to watch artists at work for water conservation! From Wednesday, June 23rd through Saturday, July 3rd artists and aspiring artists can be observed in action as they share their talents and promote water conservation by painting rain barrels in Green Calgary’s EcoStore. Stop by and enjoy their creations, or perhaps get inspired to purchase and paint a rain barrel of your own!

Contact Green Calgary for exact timing and artist information.

Green Calgary EcoStore
809 – 4th Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2P 0K5
Phone: [403] 230 1443 ext. 222
Fax: [403] 398 0605
Email: ecostore@greencalgary.org

Routine Reconstruction

Kristopher Karklin
June 17 – July 27, 2010
Skew Gallery
1615 10th Avenue S.W.

As it says one night only; Young art, beautiful work from soon to be top artists.

In its capacity to be both foreign and intimate, while simplistic and utterly complex, the human body is a fascinating phenomenon. Through the careful collection specimens dipped and frozen in plastic, Dr. Gunther Von Hagens has captured and explored this fascination with Body Worlds, which can be viewed at the Telus World of Science. This collection also features a cross-sectional camel and the promise to astound you. With over 200 specimens to look at, Calgarians have another awesome way to spend an afternoon.

There's more to camels than their humps.

For more information on the exhibit, please visit:   http://www.calgaryscience.ca/exhibits/exhibits/bodyworlds/index.php

There’s more to the Calgary music scene than jangling guitars and swirling synths as music pulses from all corners of the city from even the most underrated instruments. By eschewing polka and other squeeze box standards, the Calgary Accordion Association has established itself as a progressive and entertaining organization that pushes the boundaries of the instrument. This June, the Calgary Accordion Association is holding its annual competition and festival. If you’re impressed by the frantic fingers of accordion virtuosos or want to see something different, check this out next month.

More information:

http://www.accordion-now.com/AAC/Welcome.html

“The City of Calgary Public Art Program has launched its first iPhone app, enabling art fans to get ‘up close and personal’ to 16 artworks within the Downtown Public Art Circuit. The app includes photographs, audio and details about each piece and the artist who created it. A geospatial component helps users locate the individual installations plotted on a map of the downtown, and pinpoint their real-time position on the circuit.”

The Glenbow Museum. Where so many worlds collide.

If my art history course at Mount Royal taught me anything, it’s that there is far too much art in the world to ever exhaust your personal imagination. Honestly.

I may also recall learning about Impressionism, Abstract art, large scale installations, and spoken Word performances. Those subjects do get brought up in class you know, but very rarely in the same sentence.

I guess that’s one of the reasons the Glenbow Museum’s Launch Party: Soyez Inspiré, felt so unique. Featuring The Painter as Printmaker: Impressionist Prints from the National Gallery of Canada and Riopelle: The Glory of Abstraction along with Lethbridge artist Catherine Ross’ massive installation, Stella Mere.

Catherine Ross, Stella Mere (detail), 1996-1999. Cast aluminum and steel rods. Collection of the Glenbow Museum.

Paul Cézanne, The Large Bathers, c. 1896-1898, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Photo © NGC.

The Glenbow’s Launch Parties are quickly becoming Calgary’s premiere art party, and definitely something no Calgarian should miss. First of all, it’s pay what you can. Second, the art and exhibits are always fabulous. And third, there’s never a dull moment. Case in point, Kris Demeanor’s spoken word extravaganza, complete with audience participation.

We can’t thank The Glenbow Museum enough for putting on a great show.

All three exhibits are showing at the Glenbow Museum until August 2nd, 2010. Don’t miss your chance to see them.

Also, you can find some great shots from the evening here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30239469@N07/sets/72157623969829399/

The Glenbow Museum is located at 130 – 9 Avenue S.E.  in Calgary. For hours of operation visit their website:

http://www.glenbow.org/

The Calgary Underground Film Festival is presenting The Found Footage Festival Saturday May 15 at the Plaza Theatre. Go to it! It looks amazing.