Art
CELEBRATING 125: Culture and collaboration inspire new art installation in Agassiz – Agassiz Harrison Observer – Agassiz-Harrison Observer
A new piece of art has quietly manifested in Agassiz’s Pioneer Park.
Local artist Mike Edwards and Sto:lō artist Zack McNeill-Bobb created “Squaring the Circle” in honour of the 125th anniversary of the District of Kent.
Amid the cold December rain, the artists finished the install on Dec. 10. From the base of ancient, glacier-polished stones on up, the sculpture stands as a tribute to the Fraser Valley long before the Fraser Valley ever had its colloquially known name.
READ ALSO: Monday Painters celebrate 58 years of Agassiz art
The eastern face of the sculpture is McNeill-Bobb’s work, titled “Slalem te Alemex.” It is a four-faced representation of Turtle Island. The four faces represent the four cardinal directions on a map, and the turtle itself represents a moving home wherever you go, there’s home. The circular shape of the turtle can represent the animal itself, the cycle of the seasons or the world.
“If you look closely, you’ll see that the four faces share one mouth, and this represents diversity with a shared voice, and offers a vision for a better future together,” the artists told The Observer.
The western face of the sculpture was created by Mike Edwards and is titled “Tabula,” the Latin word for table. Edwards chose the name because tables are where conversations happen. “Tabula” is also a reference to the phrase “tabula rasa,” which means a fresh start or clean slate.
READ ALSO: Indigenous artist re-imagines B.C. provincial flag
The map on the western face features longitude and latitude lines cutting through the local mountains, rivers and landmarks.
The name “Squaring the Circle” comes from an ancient math problem of trying to create a square that perfectly encompasses a circle. While a square’s area is easy to calculate, the circle is a bit more complicated.
“The circle is a different story,” the artists wrote. “Calculating the area of a circle involves the magical number pi, which is infinite. In other words, you can literally calculate the digits in a circle’s area until the cows come home. The area of a circle cannot equal the area of a circle, but we can come really close.”
The sculpture itself is meant to represent different points of view, different homes and different ways to draw maps, all occupying the same valley.
The 1967 novel “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Márquez inspired the sculpture.
“This book acknowledges history, colonization, and, at the same time, a respect for science and the true magic of nature,” the artists said. “We hope our sculpture does this, too. We also hope you’ll find your own stories in the artwork. In the end, whether we are defined by squares or by circles, we all share this rich-soiled valley and the river that runs along its bed of polished stones.”
The artists gave special thanks to the District of Kent, district director of community services and projects Jennifer Thornton Agassiz Ready Mix.
@adamEditor18
adam.louis@ ahobserver.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
agassizArts and cultureFirst NationsHarrison Hot Springs
<!– View Comments –>
[unable to retrieve full-text content]
Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
Source link
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.
RCMP investigating after three found dead in Lloydminster, Sask.
Three injured in Kingston, Ont., assault, police negotiating suspect’s surrender
Government intervention in Air Canada talks a threat to competition: Transat CEO
12 Bizarre Things People Did Just To Make Social Media Content
dynaCERT Inc. Invites You to Join Us at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference | INN – Investing News Network
AP source: Bears acquiring quarterback Nick Foles from Jaguars – Sportsnet.ca
-
News20 hours agoSingh claps back at Poilievre ahead of House return
-
News20 hours ago
More than 67 million people watched Donald Trump and Kamala Harris debate. That’s way up from June
-
News20 hours ago
Taxi driver suspected in fatal B.C. hit-and-run has left Canada: RCMP
-
News20 hours ago
Mounties say there’s no evidence Lytton, B.C., wildfire was arson; cause unknown
-
News20 hours ago
The ancient jar smashed by a 4-year-old is back on display at an Israeli museum after repair
-
Sports19 hours ago
Canada’s Stakusic, partner Savinykh lose in doubles quarterfinals at Guadalajara Open
-
News19 hours ago
Southern Baptist trustees back agency president but warn against needless controversy
-
News8 hours ago
Local Toronto business story – Events Industry : new national brand, Element Event Solutions
