New Jewellery/Art Book Launch and
Exhibition
Order the Book
"Venustas Veritas", was a May 2006 Exhibition and Book Launch
for "Impressions: Moving the Surface" a contemporary Jewellery
book from Western Canada. The show was at Carbon Media Gallery, Art
Central, in downtown Calgary..
Impressions: Moving the Surface Book
.This book reveals a glimpse of contemporary jewellery and related work
in Western Canada,. It is a snapshot of what todayís crafts scene
is about. It reveals hints of where Craft is going and of the dissolution
of category boundaries occurring in the art world. . The work of twenty
three emerging artists is featured in this book, with a significant
essay by renowned Art and Craft Historian Dr. Jennifer Salahub which
places it into a contemporary and historical context. The range of pieces
by the group goes from jewelry to performance art, from wearable art
to towering public sculpture.
Foreword from the Book
This book breaks new ground in Western Canada. It is a snapshot of a
scene, a glimpse of practice, of how young and emerging artists and
craftspeople are working. It gives us a flavour of things to come, a
scent of the future in contemporary jewellery.
The artists in this book are a group of people I have known for several
years. We have learned together, and Iíve seen them on adventures,
traveling, succeeding, in trouble, in life. It has been a real pleasure
to journey with them for a while. Some are graduating and some are scattering.
I will miss the ongoing contact and mutual appreciation with them, as
passionate people trying very hard to do a good job of things. Theyíve
worked well, acted with confidence and as a team. Worked with passion
and commitment. Dee Fontans says they "dream in colour". Back
to top
This book project represents a synergy of group mind, team, community
and emerging artists. These makers understand the importance of disseminating
their ideas and work, of the bravery of placing it out for public judgment.
Acting to create a cultural object is a strong thing to do, and with
this project the group was conscious of constructing a moment in Canadian
craft and art history. It is about enriching their culture. Dr. Jennifer
Salahub accepted their invitation to write and has contributed a significant
essay addressing their work and its context. This project explores and
reports their ideas as research, and its publication completes the circuit
with the viewer and reader which tests the work and its concepts. They
are entering a world where niche markets are more important than ever,
where the intimate object is too, where tactility and care in making
are valued. It is a world where the artificial boundaries between what
is craft and art are blurring. New forms of craft are emerging, digital
object making and virtual jewellery which rapid prototypers can make
real in metal or glass or plastic, a new kind of path from mind to the
tangible, touchable piece. The work of this group will succeed and flourish
as it addresses the future with great content, design, concept and intelligence.
There is great kudos due to Dr Salahub, and to the book designer Kim
Johansen as well as to the project team leaders, fund raisers and the
entire group.
Charles Lewton-Brain February 2006
Head, Jewellery/Metals Program, ACAD
To order the book come to the book launch
or Email
us. It is $25.00 plus $1.75 gst. You can pick it up on a Thursday
or Friday in Sunnyside, Calgary. Call 403-263-3955 to arrange a time.
Mailing in North America is $6.00. You can pay us at paypal.com
in Canadian funds. We also accept Visa. Tel:
403-263-3955 Fax: 403-283-9053