By BRENDAN DALEY
Regardless of who you are or how you feel about art, the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery is a fun place to be. The Limits, KW|AG’s most recent exhibit, is sure to intrigue all types of visitors.
A collection of contemporary artworks, curator Crystal Mowry describes The Limits as “ideas about time and space, as seen through the eyes of seven leading Canadian and international artists. The Limits features a diverse mix of artistic disciplines, including drawing, sculpture, video and photography.”
As you walk through the doorway into the flat white room, you cannot help but notice the large, complex, net-like mural that spans nearly one whole wall. This intricate wall drawing created entirely of yarn and pins by
Alyson Shotz is a perfect example of contemporary artists using unconventional methods to create their masterpiece. The mural was originally created using a computer program. Once completed, Shotz projected the image onto the wall using an overhead projector and a transparent printout.
“The image acts as a translation of a digital, hypothetical version of space,” noted Mowry
According to Kate Carder-Thompson, school programs co-ordinator, “contemporary art usually involves a huge variety of media. Since about 1950, there has been a lot more exploration of abstract themes. The art usually addresses a larger issue.”
Although skeptical at first, Thompson remains surprised at how receptive visitors have been of Spring Hurlbut’s photographic portraits of cremated human and animal remains.
“It’s an emotional and touchy issue because you are being confronted with death. But so far we haven’t had a negative response,” said Thompson.
Of the groups that have toured the gallery, many were anxious to analyze and interpret the artworks. A common favourite amongst the group was Vision by David Spriggs. Spriggs utilized the theory behind movie-making to create a three-dimensional image resembling a travelling comet. By layering multiple images painted onto transparent film, the combined imagery works together to create frozen motion.
Since its opening on Sept. 16, The Limits has attracted a broad audience. They have welcomed young children and the elderly alike. Between tours for toddlers and tours for Alzheimer’s patients, KW|AG has been keeping a busy schedule. According to Thompson, some visitors entered the gallery with little interest and left with major appreciation for art.
The Limits will remain open to the public until Jan. 8 and all are welcome to attend the curator’s talk Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.
