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July 7, 2006
Five artists start from scratch
by Erin McPhee
Blank Canvas Collaboration Project at Seymour Art Gallery, July 10 to August 13. Opening reception July 25, 7 to 9 p.m.
On Monday July 10, a group of diverse local artists will enter the studio to begin work on an upcoming exhibition at the Seymour Art Gallery in North Vancouver.
Complete freedom of expression will be before them as they work to fill 15 large canvases that will eventually be on display. However, what separates this creative process from others is that the five participating artists will be working together to complete the paintings and the public is invited to watch.
Coined the Blank Canvas Collaboration Project, the process has been dubbed a "multi-media jam session" by organizers. In addition to the creation of the actual works, the process - from its inception to the finished paintings - will be documented by some artists and inspired by others as the work continues over a two-week period at the gallery.
"I think that Vancouver hasn't really seen this sort of thing in a while," said Deep Cove resident Steve Horvat, one of the participants in the project and its founder. Horvat graduated from Capilano College's studio art program in 2002. Horvat said the project is reminiscent of happenings in the 1960s when people would gather and work off the vibe created.
James Picard, a self-described abstract modern artist who was trained classically and teaches internationally as well as on the North Shore, was one of the artists asked to participate in the project by Horvat last year.
"Artists in the past used to collaborate all the time, like Picasso and Braque, who started the whole Cubist movement. There used to be an incredible collaboration among artists and I don't think that has happened for many, many decades," he said. In addition, the project has the power to take art back to what it once was, when it was all about the art and the creative process, in contrast with current society in which many individuals are more concerned with art as a commodity, he said.
Other participating artists include urban artist Jordan Roberts, mixed media artist Tania Gleave and Natalia Vetrova, who has a studio in Kitsilano. Picard said he's excited to work with the artists who have such diverse backgrounds and styles.
"That's going to bring out a whole different aspect of who I am," he said.
Horvat said he's looking forward to the challenge and potential sense of accomplishment through working collaboratively.
"The people involved have a positive energy as well as they're open to this idea which is breaking down all of our barriers in a lot of ways," said Horvat.
The project's only parameters are the time period allotted and the number of blank canvases.
"There is no preconceived notion of where this is going to go, it's going to unfold before us in a very mysterious way and I think that that's the beauty of it," said Horvat. A set theme would be detrimental to the project, added Picard.
Horvat anticipates that on day one, each of the artists will begin work on one canvas and then will work on each others'.
"Each of the artists will make marks on all of the 15 canvases and we'll see how all of these styles fuse together on the canvas," said Horvat.
During the creation of the works, the gallery will be set up the same as the artists would have it in their own studios, said Picard, providing a unique opportunity for the public to see how creative processes come to fruition. Current artists tend to be isolated, with their work going on behind closed doors.
"I think this opens the doors to a world that not a lot of people are privy to, so I think it's going to be fantastic, whatever happens," said Picard.
The artists will display examples of their individual works to show their individual styles during the working period.
The public's presence as well as the other approximately 25 artists contributing to the project either by documenting it - including photographers Sprout and Tina Schliessler and filmmaker Julia Ivanova - or providing live musical performances (Sacha Levin) or readings (Buddy Wakefield) during studio hours will influence the finished works in tangible and intangible ways, said Horvat. These artists will also have the opportunity to work together on their own projects, he said, referring to the possible creation of prints, films, recordings, books, etc. After the exhibition in Deep Cove, representatives of the project will take the format to San Francisco next year, followed by Prague in 2008, providing new opportunities and experiences based on various cultures and other artists.
Following the public two-week working period, July 10 to 24, at the Seymour Art Gallery located at 4360 Gallant Avenue in Deep Cove, the 15 pieces will be on display from July 25 to August 13. The opening reception will be held July 25 at 7 p.m. The project is being curated by Jacquie Morgan.
For more information on the project, go to www.stevehorvat.com.