trap\door news + events








The 2008 Trap\door
Holiday Wishbook,
Auction is now online!

Hurry comrades,
bidding ends 5pm
on Dec 5th

Enter Catalogue ->

Rules & Info ->

















Call For Submissions:

Trap\door Artist Run Centre Call for Submissions Gushul Studio & Collaboration Project 2009

One goal of Trap\door artist run centre is to help visual artists develop their practice by providing opportunities for creative research and exploration. We see the promotion of emerging artists as a vital role for our organization and an important contribution to the cultural richness of our community.

With this goal in mind, Trap\door is offering the fourth annual Gushul Studio Residency & Collaboration Project. This project will combine the skills, knowledge, histories and varied approaches of two emerging visual artists. At least one artist will be picked from within Alberta and both artists will be chosen based on the strength and merit of their ongoing production as well as their collaborative abilities. Artists can apply individually and be paired with another artist or apply as a team. The two will do a residency together at the University of Lethbridge's Gushul Studio.

The Gushul is located in the scenic Crowsnest Pass in the town of Blairmore, Alberta. Trap\door chose the Gushul as the location for this residency because it is designed to accommodate two working artists and has been successfully utilized for 2 decades by professional artists and writers from across Canada, the United States, and Europe. It is an exceptional space which meets the requirements of the project and has the added extra incentive of allowing artists in residence to interact with, and contribute to, the vitality of the Crowsnest Pass community. Trap\door has booked the Gushul Studio for the month of September, 2009.

Trap\door will arrange and advertise an open house during which members of the community can visit the artists in residence. In addition, we will publish a full-colour brochure featuring written and visual documentation of the project.

Trap\door believes strongly in providing adequate funding for participants. Thus we will provide rental of the Gushul studio and writer's cottage as well as a living stipend and a $500 artist's fee for each artist.

To apply, please submit the following: cv Artist Statement Statement of Intent 15 images (slides or digital images, and or VHS or DVD documentation) Image list ( artist's name, title, date, medium, size) Please mail applications to: Trap\door c/o 811 5 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 0V2 Application Deadline: May 15th, 2009 (Applications must be received, not postmarked by this date.)



Be a part of the fabulous 2008 Trap\door Annual Members Show!

This year's theme: It's a drag...
Trap\door Annual Members Show
Joan Waterfield Gallery, Yates Memorial Centre
September 8 - November 10, 2008

Please drop off your work at the Yates (downtown Lethbridge, adjacent to City Hall, at 1002 - 4 Avenue South) between 10-2 on Saturday September 6th. Work can be picked up on Monday, November 10. (We will specify a time)

(If you are unable to drop off or pick up your work please contact us at info@trapdoorarc.com to make other arrangements.)

2d or 3d work is accepted. 2d work must have "d" rings installed for hanging.

Not a member, no problem. You can sign up when you drop off your work. Students $10 Adult $15 Family $25/year.

FEATURED ARTIST: ANDREW TAGGART

Demonstration and Rational Demons is a continuation of Andrew Taggart's interest in sculpture as a malleable, temporal and collapsible entity, capable of producing social situations. Consistently emphasizing the concept of disguise, his work often makes use of large, soft, bag-like forms with which the viewer is invited to interact.

For the exhibition at Le Petit Trianon, a series of stylized forms, horned and robe-like, are presented together, suggesting a ritualistic gathering, sit-in, or demonstration. Presented upon a series of wooden platforms against a backdrop of fictionalized on-lookers, these sculptures become theatrical devices for the production of relational experiences for the participant and viewer. Taggart's interest in the demon as a social monster is manifested through the potential adornment of these sculptural disguises, which in turn grants the audience the paradoxical opportunity to possess the demon by amplifying its physicality.

Trap\door will be exhibiting Andrew Taggart’s work at le petit trianon
(Downstairs, 104—5th Street South).
Opening reception 8 pm, October 4, 2008.

Click on images to enlarge.

member news

David Hoffos
Scenes from the House Dream
Southern Alberta Art Gallery
October 4 – November 20
Opening Reception: Saturday, October 4 at 8 PM
PLUS: Check out David’s new website at http://davidhoffos.com

Click on image to enlarge.

Plastic Animals in Fake Nature Leila Armstrong
August – September 2008 in TNG’s +15 Window
Closing Reception: September 18, 2008 at 7 PM
The +15 Windows are located in the Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts
225 8 Avenue SE, Calgary AB

Click on image to enlarge.

Lana Ing Gabor was a resident artist this summer with the HMC International-Artist-in-Residency program in Budapest, Hungary. The group residency was curated by Szechy Beata, with an exhibition at the Mucius Gallery, and a number of future exhibitions planned for 2009 and 2010. During the residency Lana completed the second part of Local Foreigner, a project she started in Hong Kong/China in 2006. The project explores cultural perceptions, hybridity, tourism and authenticity.

Click on image to enlarge.

Deer … Foraging, a short, silent film by 12 POINT BUCK (aka Leila Armstrong and Chai Duncan) will be part of the Toronto Urban Film Festival, from September 5-12, 2008.

Go to http://www.torontourbanfilmfestival.com/watch_and_vote.html for viewing and voting at the start of the festival. Audience votes determine the winner of the TUFF Choice Award.

Vote for Deer … Foraging!

Click on image to enlarge.

CHECK OUT BRENNA KANSKI’S WEBSITE AT: http://www.brennakanski.com

THE FIRST LADY’S CORNER
By Dave McIntyre

Ingredients (Measurements subject to change based on quantity, taste, personal preferences, etc. Be creative, make it your own): Chicken Breasts, butterfly cut; Almonds; Bread crumbs; Garlic; Feta; Ricotta; Splash of milk; Basil; Black Pepper; Toothpicks.

In a blender or food processor blend almonds, fresh minced garlic and breadcrumbs until almonds have been turned into a course powder. Put this mixture on a dinner plate and set aside.

In a bowl mix feta, ricotta, a splash of milk, basil, and black pepper until combined.

Pound chicken with a frying pan until it is about ¼” thick. Grab a dinner plate and add water to it, dipping one side of the chicken into it. Then dip the wet side of the chicken only into the almond mixture. Spread over half of the chicken the cheese mixture. Roll up the chicken starting with the cheesy side, as the cheese will move as you roll. Once rolled, secure it with toothpicks, and place in a baking dish. Sprinkle on leftover almond coating, and bake in a 425 degree preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, depending on your oven until the chicken is cooked through the center.

Slice into medallions (Think sushi roll size), serve with coconut rice and roasted asparagus.

Coconut rice
Add equal parts Rice, Coconut milk, water, cook like rice

Roasted Asparagus Squeeze the juice out of a lemon, and grate some of the zest. Mix with a liquid honey, and drizzle over asparagus placed in a baking dish. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, turning after 10 minutes. Can be served hot or room temperature.

contemporary art in lethbridge

local exhibitions + events

UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE ART GALLERY
SEPTEMBER 12 – OCTOBER 31, 2008
SCOUT’S HONOUR

Main Gallery reception: Sept. 12, 4 – 6 pm

Guest Curator: Ryan Rice Scout’s Honour features artists Michael Belmore and Frank Shebageget who exhibit new works inspired by the social, cultural and physical landscape of the Canadian Shield that ground them forever to their ancestral territory. The artists came together to unravel, share and analyze their interrelated histories and encounters to a place integral to their families, communities and selves.



Click on image to enlarge.




SEPTEMBER 12 – OCTOBER 24, 2008
THE ARCTIC LANDSCAPE: INUIT WORKS FROM THE U OF L ART COLLECTION
Helen Christou Gallery

Reception: Sept. 12, 4 – 6 pm Curator: Jane Edmundson Drawn from the U of L’s extensive holding of Inuit prints and sculpture, this exhibition focuses on the distinctive connection between the artic landscape and Inuit identity.

Click on image to enlarge

regional exhibitions + events

calls for submission

employment opportunities


Executive Director: Harcourt House Arts Centre
Harcourt House Arts Centre (Edmonton) is looking for an exceptional individual to assume the position of Executive Director.

All information here (PDF)


NOW HIRING!
MODELS for the Department of Art University of Lethbridge

The Department of Art at the University of Lethbridge is hiring individuals to model for drawing and painting classes for the Fall 08 and Spring 09 semesters. Draped and undraped modeling, holding both short and long poses, is standard practice for studies in drawing and painting. Models work under instructor guidance in a class atmosphere that is focused, respectful and enjoyable. No previous experience necessary, though studies in visual art, dance, movement studies, yoga, etc. would be an asset. Both female and male models welcome, any age and body type.

Casual hours. Class times run a maximum of 3 hours. Schedules vary according to course offerings and teaching requirements. Pays $18.00/hour.

If you are interested in applying, please contact Mariette Beaudry at 394-3997, or at mariette.beaudry@uleth.ca

workshops + courses

classifieds + miscellanea

The Proust Questionnaire
At age 13, Marcel Proust was asked to answer a list of questions at the birthday party of Antoinette Felix-Faure. The questionnaire was a common party game at the time. We at Trap\door asked The Cedar Tavern Singers, AKA Les Phonoréalistes, to answer the same questions that Proust answered. Below are their answers:

¦ What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Waiting in a Greyhound station for 5 hours to come home.

¦ Where would you like to live?
Bruce Nauman’s ranch or George Maciuna or the Factory.

¦ What is your idea of earthly happiness? Immaterial pictorial sensibility.

¦ To what faults do you feel most indulgent?
Idleness.

¦ Who are your favourite heroes of fiction?
Rabo Karabekian, R. Mutt, Tom Thomson.

¦ Who are your favourite characters in history?
The Potato Eaters, the School of Athens, the Nighthawks.

¦ Who are your favourite heroines in real life?
Emma Lake, Susan Sontag, Lucy Lippard, Rosalind Krauss.

¦ Who are your favourite heroines in fiction?
Rrose Selavy, Cindy Sherman, Miranda July.

¦ Your favourite painter?
Yves Klein.

¦ Your favourite musician?
John Cage.

¦ The quality you most admire in a man?
Psychic automatism.

¦ The quality you most admire in a woman?
Disembodied contours.

¦ Your favourite virtue?
Quality no, energy yes.

¦ Your favourite occupation?
Explaining art to dead hares or anyone within earshot.

¦ Who would you have liked to be?
The Joseph Beuys back-up band.

CONTACT US!

We remain an active organization without a permanent space, but you can always reach us at:

Trap\door Artist Run Centre
c/o 811 5 Ave S
Lethbridge, AB, Canada
T1J 0V2
info@trapdoorarc.com
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=16285190999