Art 21

Graciela Iturbide

When I went back to University as a mature student, at Mount Allison University to finish my Bachelor of Fine Art degree, I watched a whole lot of Art 21 in class. I loved these videos, and it was one of the best  parts of my art education. A particular artist I saw on Art 21, was one of my teachers at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design back in the 70s.

Looking back, it really was a wonderful experience generally, to have had the opportunity to be taught by visionary artists, and teachers, like Krzysztof Wodiczko , Jeff Wall, Dan Loomis, Huge Leroy, John Clark, Tom Klink, Eric Fischl, Ken Pittman, Harold Pearse, just to name a few. Yes, I know they are all men. That's the way it was generally, back in the early 70s. However, it is this fact this helped to shape me into the feminist I am today.. Many women at NSCAD were right on the front lines of the second wave of feminism then, with the influences of such artists like, Miriam Shipiro, Joyce Wieland and Martha Rosler.

I still love to watch Art 21, and am really looking forward to seeing what is in the new line up for Season 7. Especially artist Graciela Iturbide who documented photographs about Frida Kahlo. As well, the documentary entitled, The Two Virginias  featuring photographer Sally Mann . Mann reflects on the woman who raised her, Virginia Franklin Carter.
These women, Frida Kahlo and Sally Mann, are two of my favourite artists, whom I admire greatly.
It warms my heart to see how women mentor one another.

                                                               Virginia Franklin Carter,

Installation, Performance and Video

"Photography is not an art. Neither is painting, nor sculpture, literature or music. They are only different media for the individual to express his aesthetic feelings… You do not have to be a painter or a sculptor to be an artist. You may be a shoemaker. You may be creative as such. And, if so, you are a greater artist than the majority of the painters whose work is shown in the art galleries of today." - Alfred Stieglitz


I have had somewhat of a bias attitude toward installation, performance and video art. There are a few antecedents  to this bias. Being exposed to conceptual art in my early twenties, all through the 70s at NSCAD was a major influence, due to the fact that much of it I thought, was crap, and narcissistic indulgence. That's just my opinion and I am not saying it is correct or that any one need agree with it. I am far from an expert and am certainly not an art critic, nor do I aspire to be.

Much of the genre today is very tame compared to the 70s where anything and everything seemed to be the accepted discourse. 
In my opinion, when I consider noteworthy performance, installation and video artists, who's work I find compelling, the artists often share comparatively similar elements . They stand test of time, enable me to look at the world from a different perspective that challenges my thinking, and there is a continuity to them that contextualizes, transcends and possibly redefines  the past, present and future. I am reminded of artists such as Ai Wei Wei, Kevin Yates, Adam Goddard, Andy Goldsworthy, Krzystof Wodiczko, Joyce Wieland, to name a few. 

What I most appreciate about contemporary Installation, Performance  and Video art, like that of  Bill Viola, and Louise Bourgeois, is how it is utilized as a poignant and powerful tool, enabling socio- political commentary and change. Preconceived notions of what art is, are pushed beyond  confining boundaries, through the mindfulness of the present moment and process.

I am most interested in the spirituality of art work, and this is why Bill Viola appeals to me. Artists that invite and engage the personal into the public forum, can convict the conscience and nurture the soul. I am drawn to artists who lives become a large part of their art and art becomes an even larger part of life.

Canadian Sculpture/ Installation Art

I realized going over my blog entries I had over looked writing about Canadian Sculptors, and Installation art, which are class lecture topics in my Canadian Art History class, 1960 to present. How typically Canadian of me!

I have been thinking why it is I seem not to be so interested in Canadian sculpture, or Installation Art. Truthfully for me there are not a whole lot of notable sculptors or installation artists that come to mind. That does not mean they do not exist! It's really based on my own ignorance. Call it a character defect and why I have returned to finish my Fine Art degree.

However that said, I think I am more interested in sculptors and installation artists, as artists generally, as opposed to the actual work. I am drawn to learning about their practice and creative processes that go into the ideas and ideology behind the work and why it is relevant to them.

I had the privilege of having a wonderful Canadian sculpture teacher and practicing sculptor in the past by the name of Hugh Leroy. I have to say I produced some of my best work while studying under him. After researching him further I was pleased and rather amazed to have found out that he studied under Arthur Lismer. He was a wonderful teacher and human being and I would consider him to be another one of those heuristic teachers I have referred to in previous posts.

Some time ago I was looking for information about Hugh Leroy and found a wonderful tribute to him on a blog by a fellow who was also a student of his. He had done this beautiful portrait of Hugh, as he was retiring from York University.

Another teacher I had the great fortune of studying with was Krzysztof Wodiczko , who is an installation artist doing large projections that are politically and socially charged. His work reflects his strong social conscience, that I greatly admire. His passion for life and dedication to his art as a vehicle for change is only surpassed by his humble nature and compassion for his fellow human beings.