Finding light and darkness in time of pandemic with Japanese notan art – Sarnia and Lambton County This Week

Artist Angela Van Velzer is offering the light and the dark, the positive and negative.

It’s called notan — and in the these times of social distancing and self-isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s a fun way to explore art, said Van Velzer, a visual artist who will be on the London Arts Council’s Facebook page on Wednesday for its London Arts Live Online in partnership with The London Free Press.

Van Velzer is the first artist up at 1 p.m., followed by singer-songwriter Patrick James Clark at 2 p.m., visual artist Sharmishta Karat 7 p.m. and singer-songwriter Ben Heffernan at 8 p.m.

Van Velzer will be teaching art-lovers young and old about notan, a Japanese term for light and dark harmony, which requires only paper, scissors and glue.

“It’s a simple project that I do with children and adults, but it can get complex if you play around with it,” said Van Velzer.

“It incorporates the positive and negative spaces and the effect is very intriguing. The more you play with it, the more possibilities you’ll see and more creative you can become. “

To explain, cut a simple image out of a white piece of paper and use that image as a template to cut from a dark piece of paper and attach it to the outside, so it becomes a reflection of the lighter piece.

Van Velzer said a white piece of paper and any other darker piece of paper — for instance, wrapping paper or a brown paper bag — can be used.

Van Velzer studied visual arts at Toronto’s York University with a minor in theatrical arts, such as set design. She went into interior design, becoming a custom cabinet designer, which she continues to do in addition to teaching. For her own fine art, Van Velzer paints with acrylics and also enjoys printmaking.

Van Velzer said the art of notan is suitable for adults and children eight years and older, although younger children can also give it a try with parent supervision.

“It’s really a fun activity for everyone,” said Van Velzer.

She added she is impressed with how the world is adjusting to staying at home by finding ways to connect, such as London Arts Live Online.

“I’m amazed at how the whole world has reached out. (Connecting online) is now on a global scale, a regional scale and a city scale. It opens a lot of doors (experiences, talents, crafts and opportunities) for people and shows us all that things can still be happening regardless of circumstances.

“Everyone’s just doing their own little part to brighten someone’s day and I think this program is helping the artists, especially the musicians who are used to dealing with live audiences, to still be able to connect with people. It gives people something to do, myself included.”

Among the musicians Wednesday is 19-year-old singer-songwriter Ben Heffernan, who is working online to finish his pop music studies in Western University’s faculty of music.

Heffernan performed on London Arts Live Online two weeks ago and is looking forward to his second opportunity.

“This is where music (for a career) comes in handy because I’m never bored,” he said.

“When I’ve finished my studies and I’ve got nothing to do, I just work on my music. In fact, because I’m home all the time it just makes me want to write more.

“I’m keeping as busy as I can so I don’t get down. It’s a scary time for everybody. The best we can all do is just do our part and stay inside.”

jbelanger@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/JoeBatLFPress