Blog

Alexis O’Hara delivered an electrically intense performance… in more ways than one. Utilizing conductive copper wire sewn into her dress, wearable electronics and Max/MSP software, Alexis triggered recordings of questions telephoned in by public participants. She then proceeded to answer these questions in the form of song or spoken word, layering and manipulating her voice with musical sequencers, prerecorded beats and effects pedals. The performance was delivered off the cuff and saturated with O’Hara’s brilliantly dry and witty humor. She is an absolutely captivating performer whose art lives on the cutting edge of technology and musical performance.

Artists in residence Laura Kikauka, Jessica Field, Ken Gregory, Andrew McPherson and Karo Szmit saw nearly a months work come to fruition last night at the Durham Art Gallery’s CrissCross exhibition opening. InterPlay included Steve Daniels and Isabella Stefanescu artwork which was also displayed in the gallery, and the night was well attended and well received. Steve Daniels’ creatures were busy with movement as viewers waved their arms and interacted with them. Isabella had viewers absorbed by moving stones on a large scale which controlled audio along with projected images of her personal notebooks. CrissCross flashed with colored lights, bright candy, and the pulsating sounds of Andrew’s audio installation and Jessica’s mechanical black box.

Marcel O’Gorman, David Jhave Johnston, Martha Ladly shared their extensive knowledge and body of work at Friday afternoon’s symposium. Marcel O’Gorman, Director of the Critical Media Lab at the University of Waterloo discussed Necromedia: Death, Self and Technology. He shared works such as Dreadmill, in which he lectures about the impact of technology on the body while running on an interactive treadmill interface. David Jhave Johnston delivered a poetic lecture that illuminated his deeply personal web based works of art. Raw and captivating, he addressed prevailing themes in his art work: vulnerability, knowledge, innocence, loneliness and epiphanies. Martha Ladly’s topic was Mobile Art and Design: Responsive Environments and Social Practices. She showed mobile art and design that uses methods of urban intervention as a form of art, social change, critique, and community building. She is an Associate Professor at OCAD University with expertise in the areas of Research, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Interaction Design.

Brooke Singer is a New York based media artist who blends concepts of politics, science, technology and art practice. She is Associate Professor of New Media at Purchase College, State University of New York, a fellow at Eyebeam Art + Technology Center and co-founder of the art, technology and activist group Preemptive Media. Her work is expressed in many forms, including performance, installation, photography, and websites to name a few, and she is often in pursuit of affecting social change. One project she spoke of entitled Swipe addresses the information collected and stored in the United States by businesses utilizing license scanners.

David Clark is a media artist and is the Chair of Media Arts at NSCAD University in Halifax. His work involves experimental narrative form expressed via cinema, gallery installations and the internet. Featured works included in David’s presentation can be found on his website, including 88 Constellations for Wittgenstein, a vast series of vignettes animated in Flash . This interactive, non-linear art piece is operated by a computer keyboard, and explores the life and philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein. David Clark also plays the role of researcher in the Cineflux Research group who questions the process of transformation that technology applies to cinematic form.

Geoffrey Shea, artist and OCAD University professor was the first presenter to speak to today’s symposium topic, Social Authorship: Where Do Ideas Come From? His playfully titled presentation Poking and Prodding: Working in a Mode of Interrogation highlighted the duality of asking and telling in the world of the artist who delves into research practice. This playfulness spills over into the work that Geoffrey showcased, including an interactive music projection piece called TRIO exhibited at Nuit Blanche in Toronto. The piece allowed over 3000 onlookers to phone a number from their cell phones which would make changes to the musical performance being projected on the screen. Geoffrey spoke also about other pieces featured on his website, including Drawing of a Man, a large scale video projection of himself engaged in the process of drawing.

Twelve artists and curators have come together to deliver a series of presentations to share their specialized knowledge regarding research, the new media, phenomenon, and its transformative effects on society and culture. This symposium will take place at the Durham Town Hall over the next three days. It offers a setting to receive information on radical and interesting topics, and respond with personal information afterward during the discussion period. This is a unique opportunity to learn from the experts and connect personally with others sharing mutual interest on fascinating topics.

The Durham Art Gallery has undergone yet another transformation, the studio space once utilized by the artists in residence has been cleared to begin the final installation process for this Friday’s opening. Steve Daniels and Isabella Stefanescu have arrived, and begun to set up in this recently converted workspace. Steve Daniels’ work entitled Sessile displays a colony of interactive robotic creatures. Isabella Stefanescu’s work is called The Notebook Project, and reveals various images of her personal notebooks from the 1990s in large form projected on a screen. Both works along with the final work created during the Common Pulse residency will be displayed at tonight’s opening, be sure to check it out!

We’ve prepared a handy map of Common Pulse venues, restaurants and local accommodations for out-of-towners.

Colors pulsate to an observable rhythm, the lights are red, green, blue, and fly… wait fly? Laura Kikouka is behind these quirky lamps, one created with fly paper, another with bits of electronic parts. They illuminate the room in style, Laura’s oddball- chic aesthetic never fails to attracts and intrigue viewers. The main work is a large decadent found chandelier that hangs over the pulse device. See the lights Friday!

Yesterday, Andrew McPherson smoothed out last minute details regarding the electronics of his pulse signal with Norman White. together they spent time making sure everything would go as planned for tomorrow’s opening night. His sound installation is set up on three pillars with the Arduino mirocontroller as the featured visual center piece. The installation, including the audio which is the main element of the work, emerges successfully from an elegantly minimalist approach. the sound is beautiful and haunting, but I wont give anymore away. Please hear for yourself, Friday!

Artists Karo Smitz, Ken Gregory, and Andrew McPherson attended an early dinner party on Saturday afternoon at Laura Kikauka’s infamous funny farm. To say the least, everyone was dazzled by the indescribable visual overload created by floor to ceiling to wall to mirror to shower curtain…etc. covered in collected colorful and kitschy items. The artists were also excited by the delicious food spread. For more info about the funny farm, look HERE. The photos were taken by Andrew and Karo.

Eastlink Cable customers in southwestern Ontario: tune in to Eastlink TV on Wednesday, June 8 to see the profile interviews Teresa Lannin did with our Common Pulse artists in residence and with festival co-Artistic Director Geoffrey Shea.

Before delivering their talk, artists and community members gathered together to share another fabulous dinner at the Rowan Moon Bistro. The savory dishes included asparagus with fennel and honey sauce, mixed green and fruit salad, and the main course, fish with melted cheese and baby potatoes. It was just what the artists needed to get energized and generate discussion around their fascinating technological works of art. Ken Gregory and Jessica Field captivated us and opened our minds to a new way of viewing electronics when framed within the world of art practice. Laura Kikauka’s put her usual spin on the conventional artist talk, turning it into a performance piece in itself. Read on to learn more!

Laura Kikauka has a knack for gathering fantastic found objects and incorporating them into visually stimulating installations. This time, she happened to hit a real electronics goldmine. Laura came back to the Durham Art Gallery yesterday, and with her she brought drawer upon drawer of electronic storage and vintage recording equipment. How she does it is a mystery! The space she occupies in the Gallery appears as an artistic installation in itself, she seems to find a way to leave her signature flair wherever she goes! Come see her talk tonight!

Electronics and technology can be a rather daunting and intimidating subject to teach oneself. But this past Sunday’s workshops with artists Jessica Field and Laura Kikauka made the topic of robot creation fun, accessible and informative! Participants learned about the individual parts that made up their robot creatures and assembled them to create their own movable creation. Once the robot was assembled, they were adorned with various decorations to give each bot it’s own individual flair…

Alexis O’Hara has set up a toll free phone number so you can call in with your questions. Any question at all, as long as it is less than 15 seconds long. She will be using these in her performance June 10. Call now:  1 855 432 2301.

Andrew McPherson showed a few examples of his vast and eclectic musical repertoire. In particular, recordings of a live performance in which he and fellow band member Deliveryboy of Eccodek created a new soundtrack to accompany Fritz Lang’s 1927 dystopian classic Metropolis. Andrew’s musical reach extends across international borders, and he collaborates with musicians all over the world. He has a taste for world music, and we heard a few song clips, including Eccodek’s “Bizuru dub” (Eccodek’s Steppers dub remix) taken from the album More Africa in us and Remixtasy. Take a listen for yourself: look at his website, or view the artist bio via Common Pulse’s website.

Ken Gregory has been blogging about his progress at the Common Pulse artist residency. Follow the fun – have a look at his LED candies and Scrapyard Guitars in process.

Ken has built 2 guitars in preparation for tomorrow’s Scrapyard Guitars workshop at the Gallery, and the haunting sound of swampy primal blues has been resonating through the Gallery ever since. The richness of the sound you can coax from an old plank, some wire and a tin box is truly inspiring.

There is still time to register for the workshop: 10am to 3pm, $35 for members, $45 for non-members, ages 12 and up. Local artists are encouraged to participate. Call 519-369-3692 ASAP or register online.

Hotels and B&Bs are filling up fast. Here are some motels and campsites. If you’d like help booking accommodation or travel give us a call. 1 519 369-3692.

The workshops with our guest artists are a great way to get insight into their artmaking styles and practices. Perfect for artists, tinkerers and creators of all types. Workshops

Two of our guest artists, Jessica Field and Laura Kikauka will teach a workshop on making the most basic, self-thinking robot: one that knows how to avoid obstacles by having whiskers to sense its environment. Participants will make a small bug-like robot, using origami techniques to create 3D bodies. Ages 12 to adult. Sunday, May 29, 10 – 3. Sign up.