Art
Saskatoon play tells the stories of the Canadian artists sent to document wars
An upcoming performance at Persephone Theatre highlights the impact of art and artists during wartime.
Opening Thursday night, The Art Of War is a performance that combines real events and people with fictitious characters to highlight the role of war artists during the Second World War.
The idea came to local playwright Yvette Nolan when she visited the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau in 2000. The museum featured an exhibit of 70 paintings depicting the First and Second World Wars.
“They had all of this war art that had been in storage spaces,” said Nolan. “I was shocked. I was shocked that we had sent artists to war to document war. And that started me thinking.”
The play focuses on the Second World War, and it highlights the evolution of documenting wars through different mediums, representing different periods.
“The difference between photography and film and art in this period in time, more people had seen a photograph than had seen a painting,” said actor Joshua Beaudry. “And the artists were able to able to filter the image through their own perspective and their own lens. So different artists would glorify war, others may show the horrors of war.”
Nolan had hoped to open this performance in 2021, but the pandemic forced her to shelve the project.
Since the cast and crew have returned to rehearsals, escalating conflicts around the world make the subject matter resonate even more.
“Just in the past month because of what’s been happening in the escalations in the Middle East, our conversations about war are taking on another level at the present moment,” said Skye Brandon, who plays multiple roles.
Nolan says before the war, there wasn’t much of a Canadian visual arts identity or existence.
When many of the Canadian art icons returned home, their experience on the battlefield transformed them, and Canadians.
“It was seen as elitist,” she said. “And when the artists went to war and came back, suddenly it was like a Canadian connection to what happened in those places. So really, I feel the war artists contributed to Canada’s idea of itself.”
The Art Of War opens Thursday night followed by nightly performances Friday and Saturday. The final show will be Sunday afternoon at Persephone Theatre.
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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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.
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.
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