Stephen Bulger Gallery Blog

Benoit Aquin's "Chinese Dust Bowl" Reviewed in the Globe and Mail Today!

2010-03-20T12:51:00.006-04:00

Benoit Aquin - Camion en feu, Mongolie intérieure, Chine 2006

A fair examination of China’s vast dustbowl
By Gary Michael Dault

Benoit Aquin at the Stephen Bulger Gallery $3,000-$6,000. Until April 10. 1026 Queen Street West, Toronto; 416-504-0575, www.bulgergallery.com

"Benoit Aquin notes that, as a photographer, he tends to work very intuitively. “I like to make images,” he says on the phone from his Montreal studio, “that look like nothing ... and yet have something very strong in them.” What he’s after, he says, are photographs that possess “a strong quietness.”

“A strong quietness” aptly characterizes the works making up his exhibition, Chinese Dust Bowl, now at Toronto’s Stephen Bulger Gallery. Culled from three different trips to China by Aquin – accompanied by writer Patrick Alleyn – in 2006, 2007 and 2009 (partly funded by the Canadian International Development Agency), these magisterial photographs do not so much document as embody the devastation wrought by the rapid erosion of China’s steppes, from Inner Mongolia to the western provinces.

In a handsome book about the project, Far East, Far West, published last year by les editions du passage (Outrement, Quebec), Alleyn sets their epic journeys in context: “From Beijing to Urumqi, from east to west, the K43-T69 train crosses China’s great northern steppes before following the legendary Silk Road. Cutting through 3,343 kilometres of dusty grasslands, dried-up riverbeds, threatened oases, and deserts both ancient and new, the train could be dubbed ‘the desertification train’.”

Aquin was awarded the Prix Pictet for 2008 for this body of work. This prestigious prize, sponsored by the Geneva-based private bank Pictet & Cie, is the world’s first such prize dedicated to photography and sustainability.

Most of the photographs in the Bulger exhibition – like the beautifully composed Bayannur, Mongolie-Interieure (shown here) – are suffused by a pervasive golden light. The omni-directional radiance seems magical at first. It doesn’t seem quite so magical, however, when you realize that the hazy, golden glow hanging in the air is actually a suspension of lung-raking dust particles, a kind of perpetual creamy-beige dust cloud that never goes away.

Aquin and Alleyn are invariably fair to China. They clearly saw their task as one of revealing, not condemning. They both document attempts at remedy as well as examples of flagrant ecological irresponsibility.

Alleyn notes that passengers on the K43-T69 “can also observe something equally spectacular [as opposed to horrifying examples of desertification] from their windows: everywhere on the vast desert horizon, the sight of troops of farmers arriving in old trucks wielding shovels and saplings, and row upon row of trees standing brave against the wind.” He comments on how passengers also witness “the most significant environmental restoration effort in history,” going on to describe how this 4,500 kilometre Great Green Wall tree barrier “is intended to protect the fragile earth from erosion.”

Whether the barrier succeeds is a matter of anxious rumination. Benoit Aquin’s masterful photographs – both exquisite and unsettling – are wonderfully poised on the cusp of seismic change in China, and therefore in the world at large. This poise, this moment of acute hesitation before any future tumble into environmental healing or ecological disaster, is, I feel sure, what he means by a “strong quietness.”

-Gary Michael Dault

For full article go to: www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/a-fair-examination-of-chinas-vast-dustbowl/article1506047/

Free Saturday Screening!

2010-03-19T11:00:00.000-04:00

Environmental Surroundings Film Series
March 20th, 2010

3:00 PM
Blue Gold: World Water Wars

Dir. Sam Bozzo (USA: 2008), 90 mins Blue Gold: World Water Wars is a documentary film that looks into the demand for our quickly disappearing supply of water throughout the world. Narrated by Malcolm McDowell, the film discusses the effect that governments, corporations and private investors have on the supply and future of water around the world. The film is based on the book by Maude Barlow and Tony Clarke entitled Blue Gold: The Right to Stop the Corporate Theft of the World’s Water. The film made its debut in 2008 at the Vancouver International Film Festival and won the Audience award for Best Environmental Film. The film looks into the causes of the drastic change and possible privatization for such a crucial resource, ultimately questioning the effect the lack of water will have on human survival.

CONTACT Portfolio Reviews

2010-03-19T09:00:00.000-04:00

In Partnership with the Gladstone Hotel, on Sunday May 2 & Monday May 3 CONTACT will be holding portfolio reviews. Participants can sign up for either three or six 20 minute individual review sessions with their choice of reviewers.

The Registration Deadline is April 15th! Registration is available online at reviews.contactphoto.com

For further information send an email to: portfolioreviews@contactphoto.com

Come Visit Us at AIPAD NY in Booth 403!

2010-03-18T13:16:00.000-04:00

Lutz Dille, New York City, 1959

The AIPAD Photography Show- New York will run from March 18th -20th, 2010. The show exhibits contemporary, modern and 19th century photographs, and new media.

Our booth number is 403 - please stop by!

Show Hours
Thursday, March 18 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday, March 19 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 20 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 21 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Location: Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue & 67th Street, New York, NY, 10065

Admission
$40 run of show pass (includes catalogue)
$25 one day pass
$10 one day pass with valid student ID

AIPAD Photography Show site: www.aipad.com/photoshow/new-york

MAGNUM workshops in Toronto

2010-03-18T11:05:00.006-04:00

From May 3rd to May 7th MAGNUM Photos will be having two different workshops at Ryerson University in Toronto.

The first workshop is a MAGNUM Photos Workshop where throughout the 5 days the participants will be learning from one of five MAGNUM photographers; Stuart Franklin, Constantine Manos, Alec Soth, Chris Steele-Perkins and Alex Webb with Rebecca Norris Webb.
Tuition: $1300 USD

The other workshop is MAGNUM in Motion. This workshop focuses on photographers’ multimedia storytelling skills. Students will be under the guidance of Magnum photographer Chien-Chi Chang and MIM’s Producer Adrian Kelterborn.
Tuition: $1600 USD

What: MAGNUM workshops
When: Monday May 3 to Friday May 7, 2010
Where: Ryerson University, Toronto
Application Deadline: March 30, 2010!

ScotiaBank will be awarding 5 scholarships. The deadline to apply is March 20th. For more information on how to apply for the scholarship please visit the MAGNUM event website or email tara@contactphoto.com.

For more information visit: events.magnumphotos.com/events

Dona Schwartz Book Signing at Fotofest

2010-03-16T10:07:00.001-04:00

Book Cover of In The Kitchen
Authors: Alison Nordström, Marion Winik
Artist: Dona Schwartz

Dona Schwartz will be at Fotofest for a signing of her book In The Kitchen on March 27th, 2010.

Book Signing Details:
FOTOFEST 2010
Doubletree Hotel, Houston, Texas
March 27, 2010, 4-5 pm

Dona Schwartz Site: www.donaschwartz.com
Fotofest Site: www.fotofest.org

REMINDER! FREE SATURDAY SCREENING!

2010-03-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

March 13th, 2010
Environmental Surroundings
3:00 PM

Who Killed the Electric Car?
Dir. Chris Paine (USA: 2006), 92 mins

Who Killed the Electric Car is a documentary about the ‘birth’ and ‘death’ of the electric car and the future of transportation. The film looks at the impact the disappearance of the electric car has on the oil industry, the United States Government and automobile manufacturers. The film focuses on the General Motors EV1 electric car which was available in 1990. Who Killed the Electric Car? debuted at Sundance Film Festival in 2006 and appeared at many film festivals, winning Best Documentary at the Environmental Media Awards in 2006.

Narrator Martin Sheen takes the viewer through the history of the electric car and the reasons and suspicions behind its demise. The film also includes appearances by Mel Gibson and Ed Begley Jr., and footage of many influential and well-known politicians and celebrities such as George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Tom Hanks, David Letterman and many more. Who Killed the Electric Car is not only a film about the electric car but also touches on other issues surrounding transportation and the environment.

Peter Sramek donates work to OCAD's Project 31 Auction

2010-03-12T10:24:00.000-05:00

The faculty of OCAD have donated 31 works of art to be auctioned off. Proceeds from the auction will go to OCAD. Each day through the month of March the website www2.ocad.ca/project31/ will reveal a new work of art that will be part of the auction on March 31, 2010.

Details:
Wednesday March 31, 2010
6:00 PM - Artwork Preview
7:00 PM - Live Auction
Tickets can be purchased online.

Link to website: www.ocad.ca/about_ocad/articles/stories/20090310_project31.htm

Dona Schwartz included in "Discoveries of the Meeting Place" at Fotofest

2010-03-11T15:06:00.000-05:00

Dona Schwartz will be one of the 10 photographs to be included in the Discoveries of the Meeting Place exhibition at Fotofest opening this Friday.

Exhibition Details:
Discoveries of the Meeting Place
2010 International Biennial of Photography and Photo-related Art
March 12-April 25, 2010
Curator-Artist Reception, March 27, 6-8 pm

Dona Schwartz Site: www.donaschwartz.com
Fotofest Site: www.fotofest.org

Gallery Artist Benoit Aquin in The National Post Today!

2010-03-11T12:47:00.004-05:00

Leah Sandals interviews Benoit Aquin in The National Post today. The article entitled When The Rice Bowl Turns to Dust, includes an interview with Aquin who discusses his photos which are currently on exhibition at the Stephen Bulger gallery and in his book Far East, Far West.

Link to article: www.nationalpost.com/related/topics/story.html?id=2668738&p=1

Scott Conarroe Selected As One Of "PDN 30"

2010-03-11T09:00:00.003-05:00

Scott Conarroe has been selected as one of the Photo District News' 30 new and emerging photographers, which are chosen once a year.

PND 30 link: www.pdngallery.com/gallery/pdns30/2010/

Review of Vincent Pietropaolo's "Harvest Pilgrims" in the Winnipeg Free Press

2010-03-10T18:00:00.000-05:00

Vivid Photos Capture Migrant Farm Workers

"When one visits a bookstore, a vaulting pole is required to get past the seemingly endless variations of books on the 100-mile diet.

Substituting locally grown food for vegetables that have been shipped from half-a-continent way seems environmentally attractive.

But as this vivid work of documentary photographs of migrant farmer workers in Canada reminds us, much of the labour in Canadian fruit and vegetable farms is done by workers who have flown to this country on temporary visas and must return to their homes in Mexico and the Caribbean once the harvest is in.

Migrants rather than immigrants, they make tremendous contributions to our well-being but are denied the right to establish a toehold in our country.

Harvest Pilgrims, the product of over 20 years' work, places photographer Vincent Pietropaolo firmly in the ranks of such chroniclers of the uprooted and marginalized as Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans.

Pietropaolo, who was born in southern Italy and spent his childhood there has not only documented the lives of the harvest workers in Canada, but followed them back to their countries of origin, providing vivid reminders of how these workers live in two worlds.

In an introductory essay, he sketches the history of the development of industrial-style greenhouse gardening in Canada, the health risks these workers face, and how these workers, despite the many obstacles in their path, are struggling to gain union rights in this country.

In 2007 the Manitoba Labour Board, in a historic decision, recognized the right of migrant farm workers to organize, while this past December the Supreme Court heard arguments from farm workers who are challenging Ontario laws that deny farm workers formal bargaining rights.

Winning these rights will constitute an important first step, but creating and maintaining unions in the face of opposition from employers and fears that activists will not be allowed to return to Canada in following years will not be easy. In every possible sense, these workers have a long row to hoe.

To return to the point raised at the beginning: the idea of a 100-mile diet raises many important questions and should not be quickly dismissed.

But we should not forget to ask why our food prices are so low and our borders so high."

- Doug Smith (Winnipeg writer and editor.)

Link to Original Article: www.winnipegfreepress.com/entertainment/books/vivid-photos-capture-migrant-farm-workers-84837997.html

Vincenzo Pietropaolo's Book Launch for "Harvest Pilgrims" in Ottawa tonight!

2010-03-10T10:02:00.010-05:00

Vincenzo Pietropaolo will be in Ottawa tonight and Kingston tomorrow to discuss his new book Harvest Pilgrims which shows images of Canada's migrant workers. There will be a slide show presentation and Pietropaolo will discuss his work.

Pietropaolo will also be on CHUO-FM89 in Ottawa tonight at 5:20 p.m. to talk about Harvest Pilgrims.

Ottawa Details:
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
7:00 to 9:00 pm
Auditorium, Main Library, 120 Metcalfe, Ottawa
Free admission; wheelchair accessible

Kingston Details:
Thursday, March 11th, 2010
6:30 to 8:30 pm
Delahaye Room
Central Branch of Kingston Frontenac Public Library, 130 Johnson Street, Kingston

Link to Vincenzo Pietropaolo's Artist page: www.bulgergallery.com/dynamic/fr_artist.asp?ArtistID=62

REMINDER: Benoit Aquin's "Chinese Dust Bowl" Opens Today!

2010-03-06T09:00:00.007-05:00

Camion en feu, Mongolie intérieure, Chine, 2006
© Benoit Aquin / Courtesy of Stephen Bulger Gallery

Benoit Aquin's latest exhibition Chinese Dust Bowl opens today at the Stephen Bulger Gallery.
Please join us from 2-5pm for a reception with the artist.

This is the first solo exhibition at the Stephen Bulger Gallery by Canadian photographer Benoit Aquin, which depicts one of the greatest environmental disasters of our time.

Where: Stephen Bulger Gallery, 1026 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario.

Link to Stephen Bulger Gallery: www.bulgergallery.com/

Link to Artist Page: www.bulgergallery.com/dynamic/fr_artist.asp?ArtistID=128

Cynthia Greig in "Drawing Pictures" exhibit at The Camera Club of New York

2010-03-05T13:43:00.007-05:00

Opening on March 4th, 2010, at The Camera Club of New York, Cynthia Greig will be included in a 4 person exhibition entitled Drawing Pictures. The other three artists in the exhibit are Jowhara AlSaud, Ashley Reid and Athena Waligore. In this exhibition the 4 artists use photography and incorporate drawing in their images in order to expanding on both mediums.

Details:
Dates: March 4th, 2010 - May 1st, 2010
Location: The Camera Club of New York - 336 West 37th Street Suite 206 New York, NY 10018
Gallery hours: Monday–Saturday 12–6pm

Link to the Camera Club: www.cameraclubny.org

REMINDER: Pete Doherty Exhibition Opens Tonight!

2010-03-05T10:00:00.003-05:00

Pete Doherty's latest exhibition Save Me Joe Louis, opens today at Gallery 44. The exhibit will be running from March 5th until March 20th. Gallery 44 is located at 401 Richmond Street West, Suite 120.

Link to Gallery 44: www.gallery44.org

Link to Pete Doherty Artist Page: www.bulgergallery.com/dynamic/fr_artist.asp?ArtistID=78

Pete Doherty "Save Me Joe Louis" at Gallery 44

2010-03-04T12:30:00.000-05:00

Pete Doherty's latest series Save Me Joe Louis will be exhibited at Gallery 44 starting this Friday. The show will be running March 5th, 2010 until March 20th, 2010. Save Me Joe Louis includes photos of both amateur and professional fighting.

Gallery 44 is located in Toronto at 401 Richmond Street West, Suite 120.

Link to Gallery 44: www.gallery44.org

Link to Artist Page: www.bulgergallery.com/dynamic/fr_artist.asp?ArtistID=78

Camera Is Noted As One Of Toronto's Venues For Indepent Film In The City

2010-03-04T09:00:00.001-05:00

Author Raju Mudhar writes about the Independent Film Scene in Toronto for The Toronto Star.

Independents Day for Toronto cinemas Despite signs to the contrary, the city's alternative cinema scene is stronger than ever

"After months on the ropes – and what looked like a knockout blow in December when the Carlton Cinemas closed down – Toronto's arthouse and independent movie scene is poised for a major comeback.

A cursory look at the downtown film scene shows that Toronto has more screens than ever geared toward specialty fare, and it's only going to get better over the next year.

Last week, Edmonton-based Magic Lantern cinemas announced that it would be reopening the Carlton in June. In the interim, the major chains have also stepped in to fill the gaps, with multiplexes like the Scotiabank and the AMC Yonge&Dundas dedicating a few screens to independent films, alongside the likes of Avatar and Valentine's Day.

This is in addition to venerable independent venues such as the Bloor and Royal cinemas, which routinely host festivals and premieres, and the smaller arthouse screens, such as Cinecycle and the new Acacia Centre.

The indie scene here is nothing if not diverse.

But by far the biggest advancement for independent cinema will be the opening later this year of the Bell Lightbox, the new home of the Toronto International Film Festival, with five screens and a promise to host non-mainstream programming year-round.

"Definitely, the number of screens, with the addition of AMC and the Bell Lightbox, will mean we haven't seen this many functioning screens in downtown Toronto up until now, so that's definitely a major improvement," says Hussain Amarshi, president of Mongrel Media, a local distributor of films such as Broken Embraces, An Education and The Last Station.

Mongrel co-owns Camera Bar on Queen St. W., which has a small space for private and public screenings.

He's happy to hear that the Carlton is coming back, which in the business used to be a move-over house, where films can play for extended runs after they premiere elsewhere, and before they appear on DVD.

It remains to be seen how the new owners will operate it, but they have made statements that it will continue to serve the same audience. "
-Raju Mudhar

For the entire article go to: www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/article/770536--independents-day-for-toronto-cinemas

FREE SATURDAY SCREENINGS at 3:00pm - Environmental Surroundings

2010-03-04T09:00:00.000-05:00

March 6th
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
Dir. Davis Guggenheim (USA: 2006), 100 mins

March 13th
WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR?
Dir. Chris Paine (USA: 2006), 92 mins

March 20th
BLUE GOLD: WORLD WATER WARS
Dir. Sam Bozzo (USA: 2008), 90 mins

March 27th
MANUFACTURED LANDSCAPES
Dir. Jennifer Baichwal (Canada: 2006), 80 mins

April 3rd
THE END OF THE LINE
Dir. Rupert Murray (UK: 2009), 85 mins

April 10th
PETROPOLIS: AERIAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE ALBERTA TAR SANDS
Dir. Peter Mettler (Canada: 2009), 43 mins

Please note that the film schedule may be subject to change. Please contact the gallery at 416.504.0575 to confirm.

FREE SATURDAY SCREENING

2010-03-03T20:00:00.001-05:00

March 6th, 2010
Environmental Surroundings
3:00 pm

AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
Dir. Davis Guggenheim (USA: 2006) 100 mins

An Inconvenient Truth documents, former United States Vice President, Al Gore’s campaign to educate citizens about global warming. Since first debuting at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, the documentary has made a large impact on how society views the climate change crisis and has been credited with raising awareness of global warming internationally. The documentary won 2 Academy Awards in 2007 for Documentary Feature and Best Original Song. An Inconvenient Truth looks at the science of global warming, the misconceptions of the climate crisis, as well as questions the public’s role in the climate change crisis.

Benoit Aquin "Chinese Dust Bowl" Opens March 6th

2010-03-03T12:55:00.008-05:00

Exhibition Dates: March 6 - April 10th.

The gallery is pleased to present “Chinese Dust Bowl”, our first solo exhibition by Canadian photographer Benoit Aquin, which depicts one of the greatest environmental disasters of our time.

“Chinese Dust Bowl” documents one of the largest conversions of productive land into sand anywhere in the world. Today, deserts cover eighteen percent of China and of those, seventy-eight percent are natural, while twenty-two percent were caused by ecologically damaging human activities such as the overexploitation of arable land, overgrazing and increasingly deep drilling for water. China’s situation is quickly becoming the world’s most massive and rapid conversion of arable land into barren sand dunes. The resulting dust is picked up by the wind and transported, in the form of giant sandstorms, all over China and into Japan, Korea and even North America. In an effort to reverse the situation, the Chinese government has initiated the largest environmental restoration initiative the world has ever seen and has begun a mass exodus of “environmental refugees,” displaced by the advancing dust.

Aquin’s photographs explore the impact of this great environmental disaster on the Chinese people and landscape. Sepia and subdued in colour, the images depict a landscape that is normally vibrant and colourful. Aquin states, “My series, the Chinese Dust Bowl, shows just what happens when we mismanage the environment. These issues should not just be seen in the context of one country, they are global issues. They affect us all. And as a global population, we must solve them.” He finds beauty in the destruction of the land, while also raising awareness about the environmental state of our world.

In 2008, Aquin won the Prix Pictet for his “Chinese Dust Bowl” series and in 2009 the work was published as the monograph: FAR EAST, FAR WEST, by les éditions du passage. His work can be found in the prominent collections of Museum of Contemporary Canadian Photography, Ottawa; Musée National de Beaux-Arts du Quebec, Quebec City; and the National Archives of Canada, Ottawa.

The artist would like to thank the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), The Walrus, Patrick Alleyn, and les éditions du passage.

Details
Location: Stephen Bulger Gallery, 1026 Queen Street West, Toronto Ontario

Link to Stephen Bulger Gallery: www.bulgergallery.com

Nancy Tousley of the Calgary Herald Writes about Larry Towell in Her Blog

2010-02-27T10:00:00.000-05:00

After being written about in the Calgary Herald earlier in the month, Nancy Tousley writes about Larry Towell's book The World From my Front Porch on her blog. The interview discusses his book, his interest in photojournalism and also includes images from his book.

Original Link to Nancy Tousley blog entry: http://communities.canada.com/calgaryherald/blogs/impressions/default.aspx

Submit Your Photos to Photosensitive's "Cancer Connections" Exhibition

2010-02-26T14:50:00.010-05:00

Photosensitive' s "Cancer Connections" exhibit shows photographs of those who's lives have been affected by cancer. These images document the lives of people who have personally had cancer, who have lost a loved one to the disease, who have been involved in cancer research and also people who care for those who are sick. In partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society, this exhibition hopes to spread light on a disease that effects so many.

The Vancouver exhibition of Photosensitive's "Cancer Connections" will be at the Granville Square Plaza, 200 Granville Street, from April 20th - May 2nd. The exhibit will also be going to Calgary in May and to Ottawa in June (deadlines to be confirmed.)

Interested in submitting a photo?
You can upload an image directly on the website, email your photo to james@photosensitive.com, or if you only have a hardcopy, send it James Burns at 4242 Rockwood rd, Mississauga Ontario, L4W 1L8.

Submission requirements: preferably black and white, 20 x 16 at 300 dpi, jpg or tiff format. Also include a 50 word caption describing the photo and the individual's experience with cancer.

The deadline for submissions for the Vancouver exhibit is February 28th, 2010.

Link to Photosensitive's Cancer Connections: www.photosensitive.com/cc/

Link to Canadian Cancer Society exhibition: http://convio.cancer.ca/site/PageServer?pagename=PHOTO_CAN_home&s_locale=en_CA

FREE SATURDAY SCREENING

2010-02-25T15:00:00.000-05:00

February 27th, 2010
O CANADA
3:00 PM

ONE WEEK
Dir. Michael McGowan (CA, 2008) 94 mins
Ben Tyler (Joshua Jackson) has been diagnosed with cancer. With a grim chance of survival in the best case scenario even if he immediately begins treatment, he instead decides to take a motorcycle trip from Toronto through the Canadian prairies to British Columbia. Along the way, he makes new friends, reevaluates his relationship with his fiancée Samantha (played by Liane Balaban), his job, and his dream of becoming a writer, and, after suffering some near-death experiences, learns to appreciate life.

Fitting squarely in the tradition of "road trip" movies, the film features classic Canadian scenery, roadside attractions and Canadian icons: even the Stanley Cup makes a cameo appearance.

REMINDER: "Emerge" collection at ARTSPACE

2010-02-24T11:00:00.000-05:00

Reminder that the Emerge photography collection will be at ARTSPACE in Peterborough from February 25, 2010 - February 28th, 2010. Proceeds will go to the PRHC Foundation.

Gallery Link: www.artspace-arc.org

Foundation Link: www.prhc.on.ca/Foundation/default.aspx