There is a great mix of events for art and culture lovers in Vancouver this month. Have a personal portrait taken using a camera obscura, be entertained by John Fluevog as he reads you a twisted Christmas tale and visit more than 400 artists studios at the Eastside Culture Crawl. Thanks to Miria for putting together another great selection.
— Meredith Nicole
November must see-events
(*tours offered each week)
Christopher Friesen at Elissa Cristall Gallery – Exhibition Tour
“Elissa Cristall Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of paintings by Langley-based artist Christopher Friesen. Titled “Silvery Tones” these oil on canvas paintings are a contemporary look at the pre-impressionist painter Camille Corot.
Friesen became interested in Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot while visiting the Frick collection in New York for the first time. The piece that intrigued him was “The Lake”, a large scale landscape Corot painted in 1861. This period of Corot’s work resonates with how Friesen sees painting operating today, the traces of creation with an obvious brushstroke produced at essentially a human scale.
Friesen writes “I see this work as being produced in a transitional period where there are obvious impressionistic devices, such as vibrant flecks of paint applied to a style still rooted in the safety of tradition. The pictorial devices Corot uses allows abstract licks of paint to exist in a structured environment that push and pull our notions of what painting is and what painting has the potential to do. ‘Silvery Tones’ is an investigation into how we understand that process in a contemporary way.”
Opening Reception Saturday, November 5th, 2 – 4 pm.
Exhibition runs November 5 – 26, 2016
2239 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC
Camera Obscura Portrait Session with Ross den Otter– Studio Visit
If you are interested in seeing how a camera obscura works, there is an opportunity to book a private tour and have a portrait taken by Vancouver photographer Ross den Otter. He has created a large scale camera obscura in his home studio and he will provide a tour and create a portrait for you. This is a special privately booked opportunity through November.
“With a good deal of help, I created this series of portraits while locked in a box; a blind collaboration with the subject outside, and myself inside, that box. The images were made using a 4x8x8 foot tar paper camera obscura in which I was standing. The subjects’ likenesses recorded on the silvered emulsion of sheets black and white photographic paper.
For me, it was fascinating that the secondary senses a photographer used when working with a subject provided the strongest clues in these sessions. My sense of vision was removed by using this tool, so my sense of hearing became its proxy. My voice through the wall was the cue to the subject, and my sense of hearing provided my clues to stillness. The sounds of the subject were my only indications of movements; had the sitter moved from the point of focus of the lens? In this process sound became my only indicator.”
Bookings through November 830 Union St, Vancouver, BC
20th Annual Eastside Culture Crawl– Festival Tour
The Eastside Culture Crawl officially began in 1997 with 45 visual artists in 3 Strathcona area studio buildings and was attended by a few hundred people. Since that time the event has grown to include over 400 artists, craftspeople and designers attracting an audience of more than 25,000. The organization itself has evolved to represent the heart of the East Van creative community.
Festival Hours: Thursday, November 17, 5 pm – 10 pm. Friday, November 18, 5 pm – 10 pm. Saturday, November 19, 11 am – 6 pm. Sunday, November 20, 11 am – 6pm.
To celebrate its 20th Anniversary, the Eastside Culture Crawl Society is mounting a multi-venue salon-style exhibition titled As The Crow Flies. This exciting event features work from 70 artists who have participated in the Culture Crawl over the last 20 years. Juried by Paul de Guzman, Eri Ishii, and Katsumi Kimoto.
As The Crow Flies Exhibition:
The Arts Factory :
October 21 – November 6, 2016. Tuesday to Sunday, 11am – 4pm
281 Industrial Avenue, Vancouver, BC
and at
The Firehall Arts Centre : November 2 – 28, 2016. Wednesday to Saturday, 1pm – 5pm
280 East Cordova Street, Vancouver, BC
Robert Chaplin Holiday Book Launch at John Fluevog
On November 30th, 2016, Fluevog Gastown will be ringing in the Holiday season with something fresh, festive and very Fluevog! Hot off the printing press, The Elves & The Shoemaker is a unique twist on a Brothers Grimm classic by our good friend, author and illustrator, Robert Chaplin. Featured in this original adaptation are a few unique soles you just might recognize… Come and celebrate this book launch with us at Fluevog HQ from 6-8pm to hear John read the story live, meet the author and purchase a copy of this not-so-classic children’s tale! www.fluevog.com
Book Launch Wednesday, November 30th. 6-8pm
65 Water Street, Vancouver, BC
*Miria jb Hood brings women to gallery openings, artist’s studios and private gallery tours creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm toward viewing art, while offering information to assist in confidence when discussing and purchasing art. Come away with ownership of one’s views, and possibly a piece of art, through candid discussions over wine and small plates at local vino venues to encourage confident opinions on what one sees in a gallery. If you would like to participate in any of this month’s “must see gallery” tours, please feel free to contact Miria at www.womenartwine.com.
xo w|a|w