Browsing “Photography”

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/

Taken from one of many green spaces in our beautiful city.

The distant downtown core

In honor of Calgary’s Bike To Work Day this past Friday, Sean from Bike Bike (http://www.bikebike.ca/) sent us some excellent handlebar shots! Send us yours and we’ll add them to the post:

Sean's Tall Bike

Night ride with libations

Polo bike

I am releasing a large format newspaper and at the opening free copies will be available, Labcoast will be playing a set as well. Visit Truck.ca for bit more information.

I’ve had some time to put this write-up together, and to be honest, even though I went to see the exhibit almost 3 weeks ago, it’s still incredibly crisp in my mind. It feels like I’m still in the museum looking over the paintings, original short-films, photography, and unique pieces, that make up this one-of-a-kind experience. Kent Monkman’s: The Triumph of Mischief, a travelling exhibition currently showing at the Glenbow Museum from February 13th – April 25th, 2010, will have this effect on you. What I mean to say is, when was the last time you were greeted at the entrance to a museum exhibit by a scantily clad mannequin outfitted in pink headdress, feathered bra and underwear, with the techno tune “Dance to Miss Chief” bumping through the speakers?

Monkman, an internationally acclaimed Canadian artist, draws on his Swampy Cree/English-Irish roots to challenge the stereotypical views of the “Old West”. Front and center is Miss Chief Eagle Testickle (punning “mischief” and “egotistical”) an extravagant, cross-dressing hero with a mean Louis Vuitton bag collection. Miss Chief is also the artist’s performance-art alter ego, that appears in many of Monkman’s paintings and sculptural pieces.

Highlights of the exhibit include a 14 foot tall, beaded chandelier and tipi cinema: “Theatre de Cristal”, where two films play inside on simulated buffalo hide mats. Another incredible aspect of the show is the dream catcher bra, raccoon jock strap, and Louis Vuitton quiver (pictured below). All part of the Miss Chief persona.

But I think the most elaborate aspect of the exhibition is the large scale paintings, all displayed in incredible ornamental frames. Each painting plays out on a re-creation of a historical piece of art. A re-writing of history, so to speak. Monkman’s attention to detail is unmatched. Many of the scenes and themes are cheeky and humorous in nature, but no disrespect is present. You can see the artist’s love and respect for art history, and the original work.

Do yourself a favour and see this while it’s in Calgary:

http://www.glenbow.org

A massive THANK-YOU to Megan Bailey, Allison Moore, and Glenbow Museum, for allowing us to see the exhibit with our own eyes.

Some examples of Mr. Monkman’s work:

Kent Monkman, The Trappers of Men, 2006, Collection of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

Kent Monkman, Louis Vuitton Quiver, 2007, Collection of the Artist.

Wednesday March 3rd the Calgary International Film Festival brings yet another compelling documentary from its highly acclaimed Doc Soup series.  This month’s screening is entitled Last Train Home (Official Selection Sundance Film Festival).  It is an emotionally engaging and visually stunning debut film from maverick director Lixin Fan. As a bonus to the audience, Lixin Fan will be in attendance at the screening.

Last Train Home draws us into the fractured lives of a single migrant family, the Zhangs.  Like many other families in search for a better life for their children, they are caught up in the desperate annual migration for work.  Ironically, this very quest tears at the family’s fabric.  The Zhangs must try and rebuild their broken bonds.  Intimate and candid, the film paints a human portrait of the dramatic changes sweeping the country.

Where? Eau Claire Cinemas (200 Barclay Parade SW)

When? March 3rd, 7:00pm

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $12 @ Bird Dog Video (1333 16 Ave SW) or at the door for $14.

I have two passes to give away to the screening so be the first to e-mail me @ charlene.wilcock@gmail.com .

PHOTOGRAPHY SPONSORSHIP!
It’s October, and we are happy to announce that our next artist sponsorship will be photography specific.

The winner will get 400.00 to spend on supplies and photo finishing at VISTEK, as well as 100.00 at KENSINGTON ART SUPPLY!
The winning photographer will also be given a gallery space at MARKET COLLECTIVE in the new year to show (and sell, if they choose) their photos!
We would like to thank both of these businesses for being so amazingly supportive to both Market Collective and local artists!!!

This sponsorship will be a random draw. In order to get your name in please send an email entitled “Photography Sponsorship” to: the.market.collective@gmail.com.
In the email please include one sentence about yourself or your work, and attach one photo (good, bad or ugly) that you have taken! Deadline: October 31st Midnight. 0000000 spoooooky!

If you are interested in Market Collective events or other artist sponsorships please visit our facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/seansader?v=wall&ref=search#/group.php?gid=16693452905&ref=ts

My friend Shawn sent me a picture that his wife took of this prairie dog at the Calgary Zoo and It’s too good not to be shared.

Photo Credit: Cheryl Lucas

Kevin Lowry.

Check out the trailer for Sus Monts, a skateboard video featuring Kevin and a bunch of other Calgarians. Sus Monts is available for purchase at all skateboard shops in the city.

Drew