Art
New interactive art installation focuses on Guelph's opioid crisis – GuelphToday
A new art installation outside the main Guelph Public LIbrary is meant to be a memorial to people lost to overdose deaths and to start a conversation on how to prevent others.
Crisis Phone 2020 is an art installation that will be on display for the next six months outside the Norfolk Street library. It consists of a decommissioned public telephone that has been painted red and black with quotes scrawled in either black or white paint.
The project is intended as a reflection on the opioid crisis and the impact it is having on the community in Guelph.
The installation consists of a standalone public telephone which has been repainted and covered in quotations relevant to the conversation.
At its heart is a black telephone and below it where the phone book would be found are empty pages that can be filled by people passing by.
“I love that it is interactive,” said Adrienne Crowder, manager of the Wellington-Guelph Drug Strategy. “It’s an organic piece. As people leave their comments, it changes.”
The piece was created, in part, to coincide with the upcoming Overdose Awareness Day, which will be marked in Guelph on Monday.
Crowder said raising awareness is more important than ever as the trends for overdoses and opioid deaths are headed in the wrong direction. She said Crisis Phone 2020 has the potential to start a conversation every time someone passes by it.
“It’s an opportunity for the community to create some collective energy around this year’s Overdose Awareness Day,” said Crowder.
She hopes the location of the piece outside the main library on Norfolk Street will broaden that conversation past the people who usually show up for Overdose Awareness Day.
“It’s a very public space and a space accessed by everybody in the community,” said Crowder.
Although it is signed ‘anonymous’, the creator of the piece is local artist and Guelph city councillor Mike Salisbury.
“I had written anonymous on it because it really isn’t about me, it’s about the issue,” said Salisbury by phone on Wednesday.
The art installation is intended as part memorial, part community conversation and social commentary.
“Part of it is the symbolism of the unanswerable help phone,” said Salisbury. “It’s not particularly positive, but in regards to the opioid crisis it’s not entirely inaccurate. Yes we have to do something, but am I particularly optimistic? No I’m not.”
He hopes to see the empty pages on the installation filled during the time it is on display.
“Maybe you’re grieving and you can express that, or maybe you can’t express it because of the stigma. You can write about it and as soon as you close that book it’s gone,” said Salisbury.
He concedes that comments may not always be in support of stopping the stigma associated with drug use.
“Maybe you’re angry and don’t believe addiction is a disease and think it’s a choice and that those people should be put in jail and you’re not allowed to say that because it’s politically incorrect in your circles, well you can express those opinions because its a safe place to do that,” said Salisbury.
Even the quotes scrawled on the piece itself alternate between those that are supportive and those that are not.
“It’s intended to provoke and begin conversation, because not everyone sees this issue the same way,” he said.
The opioid crisis has touched Salisbury directly, most notably through the death of his first wife Ruth to an accidental fentanyl overdose about six years ago.
The couple met while they were teenagers and were married almost 25 years. Salisbury said the piece is partly a tribute to her.
“I found it really hard to do that piece and I find it really hard to be around it,” said Salisbury. “I find it to be uncomfortable, but at the same time I think it needed to be put out. It’s my truth.”
The telephone itself is not operational and does not directly connect to a help line, something Salisbury said he has received some negative feedback about.
“If everybody has a cell phone and they are three digits away from help and it isn’t making a difference, I don’t think an art installation is going to save the day or change the outcome,” he said. “But it is going to start the conversation.”
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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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