Toronto's MOCA has launched an outdoor augmented reality art show by 13 international artists, including Chinese artist Ai Weiwei and Ghanaian artist El Anatsui. Seeing the Invisible also includes works by Jakob Kudsk Steensen, Sarah Meyohas, Timur Si-Qin, Isaac Julien, Ori Gersht, Refik Anadol, Pamela Rosenkranz, Mohammed Kazem, Mel O’Callaghan, Daito Manabe and Sigalit Landau. Their works, at Sorauen Park and High Park, are activated using a customized mobile app. The artists address themes related to the environment and sustainability, while exploring the connections between art, technology and nature. For information, go here.
Yellowknife has opened a non-commercial art gallery in its new visitor information centre in the city's Centre Square Mall. Sarah Swan, who curated the first exhibition, paintings by local artist Melaw Nakehk'o, said the gallery is "a dream come true." Artists have sought a white-walled gallery space for years, but details of its oversight and management are yet to be addressed. "There's lots to be worked out, yet, but I think the bottom line is that the artists are just thrilled that there's something here for us now," Swan told CBC News. Yellowknife Mayor Rebecca Alty says the new tourist centre – which used to be on the lower level of city hall – has taken years of work.
The Winnipeg Art Gallery is hosting Robert Houle: Red is Beautiful, a major career retrospective of one of the country's leading Indigenous artists. Houle, born in Manitoba, is a Saulteaux artist, curator, writer, critic and educator. He situates much of his work in intersection between traditional Anishinaabe spirituality and the impact of Catholicism on Indigenous communities through residential schools. Red is Beautiful features some 90 large installations, paintings, and drawings from the artist’s 50-year career, and is on view until March 27. The exhibition is curated by Wanda Nanibush, curator of Indigenous art at the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Alberta's annual Exposure Photography Festival has announced its international participating artists. They include Glenna Jennings (U.S.), Kelly O'Brien (Britain), Sarah Mei Herman (Netherlands), Serena Dzenis (Iceland), Takako Kido (Japan), Valerio Geraci (France) and others. The festival, which runs in February, also presents work by an array of regional emerging artists. Established in 2004, the festival is produced by the Calgary/Banff Photography Society.
Art by incarcerated youth and adults will be displayed at the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba in Brandon from Oct. 27 to Dec. 24. Pathway to Change explores personal stories that give "voice to the often voiceless." Says the gallery: "Correctional workers and community members have long recognized that many persons in prison have incredible artistic talent. Unfortunately, that creative force is not always recognized or expressed in positive ways."
Edmonton has been recognized with a cultural planning award by the Creative City Network of Canada. The jury called Edmonton's cultural plan a "shining star" and noted its innovative approach to engagement. Click here for more information.
The Royal Society of Canada has established a program to aid at-risk academics and artists displaced by war, conflicts or threats of violence. "We are taking a bold step with this program and are committing ourselves to working with our colleagues from around the world who have been forced to flee their home countries because of the research they do," said Karly Kehoe, president of the the society's college. The society is a national council of distinguished scholars, scientists and artists. For information, go here.
Calgary's Glenbow Museum has received a $3.5-million gift from Dave Werklund and Susan Norman-Werklund for its current renovation project. The Glenbow will name the museum's second-floor feature gallery the Werklund Exhibition Gallery in their honour. The renovated feature gallery will house travelling exhibitions that explore historical and contemporary art, fashion and design. The Glenbow has raised some $158 million for its renovations. For more information, go here.
Contemporary Calgary has received $750,000 from the federal government's Community Revitalization Fund to renovate the former Pleaides Theatre. Work on the theatre, a holdover from the building's days as a planetarium, is expected to be completed by March. For information, go here.
