Single Momorial

This is a memorial dedicated to single moms in Kamloops, BC. It is found outside the Kamloops Art Gallery, library, and Municipality offices. I think it really gives perspective on what a single mom goes through. The figures left to right are Grandpa of single mom (seated), Single mom and child, Mom of single mom and Dad of single mom.

Mom

Hand to her head thinking, what has my daughter done? Where did I go wrong? How do we deal with this?

Dad

On the phone to the father of the baby and telling him to buck up and be responsible and nobody does that to my daughter and walks away!

Grandpa

Not sure why he is sitting on a 5 gallon bucket, but he does look thoughtful. Maybe referencing The Thinker?

Kids these days... irresponsible and wild, what has this world come to? But, yet grandpa is sure that his grand daughter can deal with this and in the end she'll be okay.

Single Mom and child

Well, here I go. Our single mom stands with her child ready to face a new challenge in life. Suitcase by her side she is moving on. Possibly, she is moving back home from being out on her own. Maybe the father of her child has left and she cannot afford to live in their apartment anymore. Possibly, her husband was killed fighting a forest fire to save their home. Regardless, she is continuing, and although her parents are in turmoil and her grandfather hasn't said much they still stand beside her in support.

Manifesto

1. 2D is inferior. 2D is trickery and deception. There is no consideration beyond simple function. Not that it's not worth doing, but inferior. 3D arts are deeper.

2. Public art sucks. Well, most of it anyway. Most is ill thought out and mis placed. Most public art is better left unmade. Updates to come on bad public art.

3. Work reproduced, recast, reformed, changed in material without the artists intent is no longer art. Degas bronze dancer's are no longer objects of art. Most of the Rodin's of the world cease to be objects of art.

4.....still in progress, your input is welcome

Grad 04 Alumni twoonie project

For those of you that missed the grad 04 ceremonies there were some very rousing and some might say inspirational speeches given by our valedictorians and Richard Serra the honourary degree recipient.

There was also an Alumni speech to our grad class. I do not know how this person gets picked, but I've heard a lot better. He was no longer practicing in the arts and he reminded everyone how so few of us would continue in the arts. Though it may be true, not the most uplifting of words.

He congratulated as the newest alumni and as the semester had just been completed a few days prior. Then he told us that we'd soon receive the alumni newsletter and of course we should give them money right away. We didn't have to wait years to contribute back to our school. To his credit he did only ask for a twoonie and said everyone could do this. I think this was a little early to be begging for money especially as most have a mountain of loan debt at graduation. I was quite put off with the comments and took it up with the president, who assured me it was no decision of his.

I've been out of the country the last couple years, so I have not seen the Alumni letters, but next time they come calling I plan to donate a photocopied Twoonie. I made mine a signed limited edition, so it may fit into their collection and maybe even be worth more than the paper it's copied on some day. So join in, if you haven't given already.

NSCADU 9 intro

In the year end grad show when I graduated art school, I submitted a piece titled How to Hit a Knuckleball. It was a response to a piece I worked on during my final year titled How to Throw a Knuckleball. It was a simple readymade of stickball equipment (broom handle, spaldeen ball, hockey tape to wrap the handle). My name wasn't on the title block, but instead the artist was posted as NSCADU 9. I believe there are still some limited edition T-Shirts floating around out there.

This was a play on famous Canadian art collectives (Group of 7, Regina 5, know any others?) and the Mudville 9 from the Casey at Bat poem.
This also come from the brief stickball games played in the Granville mall between classes.

Mainly it was a response to the President's attempt at rebranding the art school. Essentially saying that the grads and their works are products of the institution.
So if we are the brand coming out of the institution, then we should be taking advantage. I've heard there are benefits to being a part of the NSCAD Mafia and maybe the acronym is looked at in good light on a CV. So........

I feel that the name of the institution can be used freely by grads and current students as we see fit. Not sure entirely where I am going with this, but I hope to see future collaborations beneath this name and at least exchange some ideas.
If anyone has ideas or input or just need to bounce ideas around let me know.

Tranquille Art Project

Tranquille site in Kamloops, BC CANADA

Please click on the photo for a better look.

This was done in the summer of 2007 through Arnica Artist Run Centre in Kamloops, BC.

A number of works were completed involving the site, which is a former Tuberculosis and then a Mental Illness facility. It holds a rich history in the region and has garnered a lot of attention in the community, especially recently as it is slated for demolition and development as a resort destination.

Though it was long considered a treatment facility the Tranquille property was largely incapable of administering actual treatment. In early years of so-called treatment of both TB and mental illness little was understood and little could be done to treat the patients. Tranquille functioned largely as a place to warehouse patients away from the community. Care was taken of the patients such as washing and feeding and it functioned as a self-sustaining community with its own farms, school, dorms, theatre, and residences. It closed in the 80s, as treatment changed to allow patients to function within the generall population.