November 2007 - Nr. 11
Echo Art Report
Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
While the Bach Festival with Helmuth Rilling was
winding down in Toronto other German input enlivened the art scene in
Toronto. Perhaps the most significant contribution is the amazing exhibit of
Gertraud Moehwald’s pottery sculpture in the Gardiner museum, which will run
till January 20th.
(All pictures courtesy of Gardiner Museum)
Visiting
the museum for any reason would be a wonderful thing to do, because pottery
and ceramics, glass art and the like are such an immediate teller of
stories, stories of the lives of those that made these objects and used
them. They are so telling in style that we can instantly imagine the times
they were first used and admired.
In
this- our- time, when everything becomes more hectic in the city, in our
lives, it perhaps would serve us well to deliberately take time out to
reflect on what is important. The Moehwald exhibit reminds us of other
cultures, of civilisations that are no more, but left a mark on our
societies, on our lives.
This
exhibit also tells us a lot about the artist, her life in the German
Democratic Republic, the trials and tribulations of being an artist in a
world where no one really owns anything, were life is often drenched with
silent agony and tears, as it has always under any regime that closes doors
and builds walls.
Moehwald’s
work reflects in put-together bits and pieces the fractured lives of people
of all ages, all times, and all cultures. This exhibit also explores the
artist’s working methods, her reason for being, for searching. It shows how
integrity as an artist is the ticket to good art, not a commercial shortcut.
In each of her works on display we can find a reflection of ourselves, or
something we know, and if it is only instinctively.
They
remind us that after everything has fallen into ruins there is still life
left and can be put together again. It will not be the same, but it will be!
For more information about opening times and other works on display call the museum at 416-586-8085. And do not forget to visit the shop in the lobby. You might just find that one special gift for your friends or yourself that is different from anything else you might come across elsewhere.
Toronto’s’ International Art Fair
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While in London, UK, the crème de la international
art crème was being sought and bought, Canadians art connoisseurs did not
have to travel that far to get to see some very fine international art, some
of which was snatched up from the Art
Gallery
of Ontario for its permanent collection. On the evening of the fundraising
preview cocktails flowed in abundance, the finest food was everywhere, live
art was apparent, as in art imitates life or life imitates art: A couple
moving in unison and anticipation on the floor, embracing as in a slow
dance, and of all things a hula-hoop girl slowly moving through the
festively dressed crowd.
Looking
for German content a few displays stood out. Gallerie Schuebbe from
Düsseldorf showed some young international artist with a wide range of
themes and techniques. Galerie Director Christa Schuebbe is very excited
about her artists who reflect so many different disciplines and subject
matters in a fresh and newly old way all at once. After working with
legendary group SPUR this is an adventure of a different kind, she says.
When in Düsseldorf a galerie visit could be interesting: Neubruckstrasse 6. Telephon:49 (0)2104-53-348.
Galerie
Streitenfeld (www.galerie-streitenfeld.com)was
also in Toronto with mainly illustrative art, which has become a very
collectable item. Often cartoon like the art is very immediate and
reflective of current circumstances or visions and commentaries of the
artists. This will prove for a collector at a later time an invaluable time
document.
There were other German Galleries to visit, but it is certainly a lot to digest in one walk-through.
An
unusual bit of art was a display of teddy bears done by an artist from
British Columbia, who takes the stuffing out of the teddies, fills them with
a cement mixture and then tears off the fur. This causes a startling effect
with the fur adhering to where the seams were. Most original!
Alicier’s Art
This is the art of presenting music, making music, sharing music, making music understood by Karin Schemeit and collaborator and Phoebe Tsang, who both founded and created this series. In the charming setting of a little church on top of a hill at Dundas Str. and Royal York, Toronto, this series of music never fails to surprise and deserves to be sold out every time. The artists that participate are first class musicians, are all quite young and have an enthusiasm that crosses all barriers, all cultures. Their professionalism allows them to play with other well known groups and orchestras, some have formed trios or are networking and working together all for the same cause; the love of music.
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This Sunday afternoon was called "Not so strictly Ballroom" and walked through different time periods with music reflecting dance. There was Beethoven next to a modern Jazz piece by Monica Fedrigo that had everyone in the listening audience wanting to tap their feet.
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There
were the song-stylings of fabulous soprano Allison Marcaccini with songs by
Kurt Weill.
There was Handel and there was Couperin and modern Scott MacMillan. And then there were all these incredible young musicians, carrying their hearts on their sleeves, giving it their all.
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On their website (www.alicierarts.com) you can find out more about them. Hopefully you find your way to one of their next concerts.
