Winter Pond

Winter Pond #3  (Courtesy of Equinox Gallery)

A pond with raindrops rippling means fall is here. As water descends from the sky and kids go back to school, new art shows are opening all around town.

Gordon Smith at the age of 91 is still producing magnificent and modern representations of nature as he sees it. Spending much time photographing trees, thickets and ponds he comes back to the studio to then create large works on canvas, which are now on display at Equinox Gallery on South Granville.

Included in the sold out show, were colourful spring and fall scenes, but what struck me most was a longer canvas entitled “Winter Pond #3” tucked upstairs in the gallery and how intricate the detail the effect of rippling water. Not unlike the Impressionist painters who were trying to illustrate the playfulness of light, the work instantly reminded me of Monet’s water lily paintings, which I was blessed to have seen in person on my trip to Paris last year.

In Smith’s work we can see how the light is captured when a ripple occurs with the reflection of the branches and sky above. Unfortunately a small rendition of the painting does not do it justice, but the up close it is superb.

People may look at this painting and see a very dark and dreary display of winter, but I would implore you to realize how incredibly talented an artist must be in order to create a modern work so tactile that you feel you could step into it.

Tavi

Adults just don’t understand. When the youth of the world are eager, engaged and excited to explore a subject or past time far beyond the norm of what their peers are doing, it is often met with criticism. Tavi Gevinson is one of these so-called youths.

In 2008 at the age of 11 from her bedroom in Chicago, she began writing a blog entitled “Style Rookie” to explore her passion and love of fashion.  It wasn’t the fabulous life of models or the glitzy parties that drew her in; it was the creativity and artistic expression created by the famous fashion houses that spurred her to create many scrapbooks and written posts.

Her voice and style are so articulate that many in the industry have accused her of having others write for her.  On the other hand, she has risen in popularity and been asked to write articles for French and Teen Vogue, as well as a guest correspondence at NY fashion week for Fashion Television.  Recently she graced the cover of POP magazine, which was designed by the infamous contemporary artist Damien Hurst.  All this before her 14^th birthday!

So what is it about this so-called “precocious” teenager that gives her validity in the cultural hotbed of fashion? I feel it is because she brings youthful, down to earth and unabashed realism to a hyper-sexualized, egocentric and plastic industry.  Her wealth of knowledge about fashion is astonishing, and not about teen-wear but about real icons such as Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood just to name a few. Her own playful fashion style is also an ode to her creative nature, as seen in the pink bow she wore for a show she attended recently.

The new generation is increasingly embracing being ‘different’ without being fake. They resist the urge to be like everyone else their age, grade or community. Their need and want to share their creativity and passions with the world is something to be embraced, even if it is not fashionable.

Kooza

The lights go out and a creative and magical world is revealed, an experience only found in a tent. Where else would you be with 2500 other people but at Kooza, Cirque de Soleil’s new show? Having seen their other Vancouver show visits I was once again spellbound by the mystery and intrigue of what this masterful group of musicians, entertainers and athletes can do.

Playful and theatrical, this artistic reinterpretation of the circus invites the audience to take in the sights, sounds and movement on stage and throughout the Big Top. As my senses were heightening I realized how important they were to my enjoyment of the whole experience.   

While watching Kooza, a story based about a character named Innocent - a loner trying to find his place in the world, I found myself also feeling quite alone with my thoughts and feelings while taking in the show. My eyes kept being drawn to the beautiful set designs and exquisite costumes, let alone the sleek and chiseled bodies of the performers. What was moving still was the often-melancholy music that flowed in intervals between intense rock music and quiet vignettes with funny clowns. 

This sensual rollercoaster of the senses is the beauty of what Cirque de Soleil continues to add to the world of visual mastery and entertainment; something that all should experience at least once in a lifetime.