A Secret Life of Things: 2010

Friday, November 12, 2010

Article on droit de suite

Jeanette Bicknell, Ph.D. who describes herself as "... a philosopher, mediator, and business ethics consultant" is also teaching in the Faculty where I work at OCADU. So I'm lucky enough to work with her! She recently sent me an article she wrote in her blog on recent changes and challenges to the "droit de suite" (a form of royalty distribution for artists when work is resold) adopted by the EU in 2001. Jeanette gives further historical context for the practice and starts to discuss the ethical and economical issues inherent in managing this system. It is a really great article and very relevant and important for all artists, and something that needs further discussion and consideration here in North America. I hope to see further articles from Jeanette on art.

Here is the link to the article:

http://jeanettebicknell.blogspot.com/2010/11/droit-de-suite-and-canadian-art-market.html

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Paradise Lost: Archipelago - Bikini Beach Tango

New sculptural works by Craig Porter at LE Gallery. Opening Friday, April 30 at 7pm at LE.

This show is a short stop over from Porter's Archipelago Trilogy to the small grouping of the Marshall Islands, specifically Bikini Atoll. Starting in the 1940s, Bikini Atoll was one of the sights in the South Pacific for the U.S.'s nuclear warhead testing.

Porter explores the legacy and irony of the atom bomb in the present post cold war world and into the unforeseeable future. He explores the transgression and absurdity of meaning in the shadow of the apocalyptic mushroom cloud.

Grass skirts, Geiger counters, Speedos/bikinis and coconut radios (thanks Gilligan!) not supplied, so bring your own!

Installation shots: