Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Ken Gregory: wind coil sound flow

Gallery 1C03 at The University of Winnipeg and Video Pool Media Arts Centre proudly present

Ken Gregory: wind coil sound flow


If the wind could speak to us, what might it say? wind coil sound flow is an acoustic electromechanical system built by Gregory that aims to find out by transforming wind-generated vibrations on a kite's towline into harmonic frequencies. The first stage of this multi-part project, based on the principles of an Aeolian Harp, involved a large, one-stringed guitar played by the wind outdoors. The sounds generated through this system were recorded digitally and will be used to activate the long strings in the sculptural installation presented in Gallery 1C03 that will, in turn, create new and complex sounds conveyed through kite-shaped audio speakers.

Gregory has long been interested in exploring the complex relationship between humans and technology, and extends his practice now to investigations concerning the state of the natural world. He began thinking about kites while re-introducing the notion of play into his work, which led him into a deeply interesting sphere of research about the physics of flight, the historic, spiritual, and cultural significance of kites, and their mysterious, poetic, and metaphoric aspects. This project is the outcome of five years of development, during which time Gregory learned to design, build, and fly kites with a view to creating wind instruments. The Aeolian Kite Instrument gives the wind a voice that is similar to our own vocal chords. Gregory asks: if we learn to listen to the wind in new ways, might we soon be able to decode its songs? In light of climate change and other ecological urgencies, it seems critical that we consider such possibilities with creative sensitivity.

Artist biography
Ken Gregory has been working with do-it-yourself interface design, hardware hacking, audio, video, and computer programming for over 20 years. His creative performance and installation work has shown publicly across Canada, and at many international media and sound art festivals. His works are presented in the form of gallery installations, live performances, live radio broadcasts, and audio compact discs. Recent career highlights, among others, include the acquisition of a large sound installation, 12 Motor Bells, by the National Gallery of Canada as well as a solo survey exhibition, Cheap Meat Dreams and Acorns, that has toured to The Confederation Centre in Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island), The Art Gallery of Hamilton, and The Art Gallery of Windsor (both in Ontario). For more information about Gregory’s work, please visit: cheapmeats.net.

wind coil sound flow will be available for viewing October 1 – 31, 2009
Exhibition launch: Thursday, October 1 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. (1st Floor, Centennial Hall)

Artist talk: Friday, October 2 beginning at 12:30 p.m. in Room 2C15 (2nd Floor, Centennial Hall)

Gallery hours: Monday – Friday: 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.; Saturday: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving.

Admission is always free and all are welcome!

This exhibition is recognized as adjunct programming of the 11th edition of send+receive: a festival of sound.

Members of the media are invited to arrange interviews with the artist at any time.

Gallery 1C03, Video Pool Media Arts Centre, and the artist wish to acknowledge the generous financial support of the Manitoba Arts Council, the Winnipeg Arts Council, and the Canada Council for the Arts.
Gallery 1C03 also wishes to thank the Department of Canadian Heritage.

For more information, please contact Milena Placentile, Gallery 1C03, The University of Winnipeg
515 Portage Ave, Winnipeg MB R3B 2E9
204.786.9253 | m [dot] placentile [at] uwinnipeg [dot] ca
uwinnipeg.ca/index/artgallery-index | gallery1C03.blogspot.com

Image: Ken Gregory, wind coil sound flow, 2009. Courtesy of the artist.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Join us for "Blue Gold: World Water Wars" on Tuesday, Sept 22 at 7:00 p.m.

Gallery 1C03 and The UWSA will screen Blue Gold: World Water Wars, on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Manitoba Boardroom (2nd Floor, Manitoba Hall, Room 70 – 2M70)


In partnership with The UWSA, we are pleased to join the international documentary screening network, Cinema Politica, as the first Manitoban chapter through the formation of "Cinema Politica at The University of Winnipeg”. Together we will screen six socially and politically resonant films over the course of the 2009/2010 academic season.

Engaging students in ways that encourage informed citizenry through creative and critical thinking is key to Gallery 1C03 ’s mandate and, as a facet of the University capable of connecting widely through the interdisciplinary nature of visual and media art, we hope our involvement with Cinema Politica will help us continue to grow relationships with students, faculty, and staff on campus, as well as citizens of Winnipeg at large. Watching films about issues that matter and taking time to talk about and plan actions can move us to a more equitable and sustainable world. Art and culture matter and the capacity for creative documentaries to inspire and challenge us is a testament to this fact.

Our first screening, Blue Gold: World Water Worlds, directed by Sam Bozzo and narrated by Malcolm McDowell, will serve as a prelude to the UWSA’s forthcoming “Water Week” program.

Bozzo predicts that as the source of human survival enters the global marketplace and political arena, future wars will be fought over water just as they are fought over oil today. He urges us to think about the corporate giants, private investors, and corrupt governments vying for control of our dwindling supply, and reports on protests, lawsuits, and revolutions launched by citizens fighting for the right to survive. He reminds us that past civilizations have collapsed from poor water management and he asks: can the human race survive?

For more information about Blue Gold, please visit: www.bluegold-worldwaterwars.com. For more information about the Cinema Politica network, please visit www.cinemapolitica.org.

Save the dates!

Future Cinema Politica at the University of Winnipeg screenings will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the Manitoba Board Room (Rm 2M70) on:
  • Tuesday, October 20
  • Tuesday, November 24
  • Tuesday, January 19
  • Tuesday, February 23
  • Tuesday, March 23
Future films will be selected by students affiliated with the UWSA’s on-campus service groups. Details are forthcoming; stay tuned!

Blue Gold: World Water Wars will screen on September 22, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Manitoba Boardroom (2nd Floor, Manitoba Hall, Room 70)

All screenings will be open to all audiences – everyone is welcome from across the campus, and across the city. Our screenings will always be free, but donations to offset costs are welcome.

Gallery 1C03 and the UWSA wish to extend thanks to Cinema Politica for making it possible for us to participate in this network. We are collectively grateful to the Canada Council for the Arts for generously supporting this initiative.

RSVP on Facebook!

Check out the trailer...



Friday, September 11, 2009

Thursday, September 10, 2009

In case you're curious...

Q: How cool is it when the artists we're working with are so excited about their project that they start posting hints of it well in advance of their opening reception?

A: This cool: http://www.pinkyshow.org/diary/2009/09/03/770/

=-)