Art

Cape Breton project brings Mi'kmaq culture to life with art, science and technology – Cape Breton Post

Published

5 years ago

March 1, 2020

MEMBERTOU, N.S. —

Two hundred students came together Friday to work on a project that will see a five-book series on Mi’kmaq traditional animals come to life on film.
The students from First Nations communities across Cape Breton gathered at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre for the project, which is based on stop-motion animation through an immersive educational experience.
Andrea Durfee, a spokeswoman with Digital Mi’kmaq, said the students were animating illustrations by artist Dozay Christmas from a five-book series on animal stories based on Mi’kmaq traditions, written by authors with Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources. Durfee said there are a variety of stories such as with the moose, the oyster, the eel, and the martin, each with a traditional Mi’kmaq name.
Stations were set up in the centre where students worked in groups. Each group of students had a box — cut out in areas — with a tablet on top and the photo inside the box. Using a small stick, the pictures would continue to be barely moved by a student while another student would take photos of each move.
The end result will see the images of the students combined to create the five films.
Durfee said the project is a blend of art, science and technology with a unique tie to Mi’kmaq culture. The next step will be adding audio, she said.
“A total of five films will be made and the animators’ names will be at the end of each one,” she said.
“When you see it all come together and come alive, you can really see it in all their faces, it’s such an amazing moment.”
Callie Stevens, a Grade 7 student at Eskasoni Elementary School, was demonstrating how they contributed to the project by integrating the moose into the films.
“You’d take a picture, move it a little bit and take a picture. When you put it all together it will be this cool video,” she said. “We took, say, 120 pictures, which is about only eight to 14 seconds.”
At another table David Durham, a facilitator for Concordia University working on the project, said the preliminary part of the project was understanding how to make inanimated objects move. At first there was a lack of interest from the students as it was a daunting task just moving the picture and taking photos.
“As they got involved in the process, over time it became evident that the movements that they were creating allowed them to take on bigger challenges during the process,” he said.
Zophia Nicholas, a Grade 8 student at East Richmond Education Centre, said she enjoyed the the teamwork it took and especially the end results.
“Someone has to move the pictures, someone has to take pictures and you have to stay organized,” she said. “I really like seeing how it all came together and I’m really excited at seeing the big picture that will show up when it’s finished.”
Grade 7 East Richmond Education Centre student Max Johnson said the project wasn’t much fun at first but once they started putting the images together, it was.
“We got to see how it was all coming together. It was fun then.”
The project was also described as a fun way to help First Nations students to develop their digital skills to help bridge the digital divide many communities face.
sharon.montgomery@cbpost.com

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Art

Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

Published

1 week ago

September 2, 2024

Harry Miller

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com

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Art

Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

Published

4 weeks ago

August 18, 2024

Harry Miller

The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”

On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”

The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.

Blaze in the West Wing

The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.

About Somerset House

Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.

Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.

Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.

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Sudbury art, music festival celebrating milestone

Published

4 weeks ago

August 15, 2024

Harry Miller

Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.

The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.

Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”

With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.

The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.