Western Canada's art magazine since 2002
20 October 2020 Vol 5 No 21 ISSN 2561-3316 © 2020
From the Editor
Portia Priegert
Publishing six articles and an array of news every two weeks keeps me busy. During the pandemic, I’ve been glad to absorb myself in work and have tackled some new projects, such as launching Galleries West's first video and putting together several special projects.
But as grey skies have settled over the West Coast, I’ve grown weary of juggling the editorial load singlehandedly with little respite.
Perhaps that’s why a mysterious pouch arrived in the mail last week, courtesy of Galleries West publisher Tom Tait.
It contained a small box the size of a clock radio. Puzzled, I opened it to find an electronic device with a screen. The instruction pamphlet did little to elucidate me.
Eventually, Tom explained that the device – which shall remain nameless for fear of promoting the fortunes of someone already as rich as Croesus – is a virtual assistant.
Yes, there’s a clock, but apparently it will also respond to requests to play music, provide news updates and add items to my to-do list – if trained to recognize my voice.
Its talents do not extend to more useful tasks like editing stories or hounding tardy contributors, but that day will surely come – perhaps before I manage to set it up, given the warp speed at which developments unfold in the high-tech world.
Computer, list the stories in this issue!
Two Q-and-A features, one with Charles Campbell, who explores his roots in Jamaica, and the other with Pierre Coupey, an abstract painter in Vancouver.
A review that looks at monuments to the mundane created by Samuel Roy-Bois and another that assesses the Edmonton half of Borderline, the redefined Alberta biennial, now also on view in Saskatoon.
As well, we have a quick preview of an online exhibition of photographs organized by the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris and a story about the jealous curator, a.k.a. Daniel Krysa, and her latest book about creativity, this one for youngsters.
Computer, list some upcoming highlights!
A Brazilian-born feminist artist based in Edmonton takes a surprisingly empathic look at the fringes of the men’s movement, including Incels (Involuntary Celibates) and Men Going Their Own Way.
The first story in our three-part Art & Healing series launches with Paul Gessell's look at hospitals in Winnipeg and Edmonton that have their own art galleries.
Zzzzzz …
Oops, I must have been dreaming. Such a pity. I could have gotten used to this.
Until next time,
CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE: Agnieszka Matejko, Mark Mushet, Lissa Robinson, Steven Ross Smith
