Winter in La Belle Province

Hi. You haven't heard from me in awhile.

Just wondering...at what point can you start dreaming about spring? Is it now soon enough to spring that you can actually start planning for its arrival (ie, can I order a sundress from J.Crew yet?).

I'm really finished with the indignities of winter. The ridiculous drapings and layerings necessary for survival, and the ways in which those drapings can ruin an outfit. The static cling. The chapped lips. The fact that I have to fold myself into a ball, hedgehog-like, while in an underheated, drafty, (but nonetheless charming) Montreal apartment...luckily this is not my apartment...heat is very efficient, and is included in the rent. My horribly unattractive (but unbelievably warm) winter coat, which makes me look like a 40 year-old mother of 3.

Winter in Montreal does, of course, have its sweetnesses as well. The other day I saw the following 3 scenes on my beloved streets:

-a man, bundled up and struggling through a snowbank while clutching a menorah
-3 people, bundled in sweaters and scarves and dancing to Stevie Wonder in a cafe (dancers included a girl who works there) near my place
-a woman pulling a sled down the street that contained the following: bagels, an Italian "panettone" (cake-like thing), and a 4 year-old child. They use a lot of sleds here. Very practical, actually.

The Regional Assembly of Text

One day at work, lovely Ali mentioned this little Vancouver store to me. A little store that lives on the same street our friend Heda lives on. I have never been to Vancouver, but now I have one more reason to.

Their website just makes me happy. Every thing about it.

And they have a letter writing club! A letter writing club!

Enjoy.

Photos by Heidi Zutter

Projections and some things you should do...

The MacKenzie Art Gallery's newest exhibition, Projections: A major survey of projection-based works in Canada, 1964 - 2007, opens on Feb. 14.

A little about the show - "Projections is the first major exhibition in Canada to focus on the rich history of experimentation with slide, film and video that characterizes contemporary art from the 1960s to present. The works in this exhibition exemplify why projection—using light, slides, film, video, and television—has become such a compelling medium."

A lot more about the show - here and here.

The following is a list of the show's programming and events:

Wyn Gelenyse: Special Projections Pre-Opening Artist talk and Walk-through
Friday, January 30, 2009, 7:30 p.m.

Ian Carr-Harris: Artist talk and Projections Walk-through
Friday, February 13, 2009, 7:30 p.m.

Projections Opening Reception
Café Discussion: curator Barbara Fischer, will be interviewed by Carle Steel in the Agra Torchinsky Salon. Refreshments and cash bar.
Friday, February 27, 2009 7:30 p.m.

Diorama Workshop with Artist Sylvia Ziemann
March 1, 2009, 2 p.m.- 4 p.m.
Special Story Telling Sunday
Sylvia will lead visitors in a fun, free, two-hour-drop-in diorama-making workshop. The story on this day willbe Robert Munsch's The Boy in the Drawer.

Thursday Night Live!
March 5, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
As an exciting addition to this month’s Thursday Night Live! program, filmmaker Berny Hi from the Saskatchewan Filmpool Co-operative will be on site (with a collection of cameras) to lead visitors in photo-making using various techniques and styles. Visitors can come and conduct their own photo shoots of themselves and their friends with various types of cameras – for free – while enjoying the music of one of their favorite local bands, Library Voices and Rah Rah. Visitors will be encouraged to come out with their favourite outfits and accessories and be ready to jump into the Filmpool’s Projections photo studio!

Artist Studio Program - Local Film Maker Gerald Saul
Saturday, March 14, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Spend the afternoon with local artist/film maker, Gerald Saul. Gerald will lead a group through a hands-on workshop on film and video projection techniques, with consideration paid to surfaces, size, cycles, and tying together form and content. This is a registered program, and costs $30 for non-members and $20 for Gallery members. Call Lorraine at 584-4292 for more information or to register.

DIY Family Films with the Saskatchewan Filmpool Co-operative
Sunday, March 29, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Join Gordon Pepper from the Saskatchewan Filmpool Co-operative for this free Sunday program! Bring your video camera to the Gallery Learning Centre to learn some fun and useful techniques for family filming.

Sunday Studio Workshops
March 15 to April 26 (every Sunday!)
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Participants will create Projections inspired art!

Should be a good time...see you there!

xo carey

i like it

I like it when my friends send me images that they think I will like.

My friend Danielle sent me this.

And I especially like it.

Bunnies and crafts...really...you can't go wrong.

xo carey

Traci

Originally a hair stylist, and the first to introduce Aveda to Saskatchewan, Traci Foster is also a working actor. She has written and performed five different pieces of work, and she also teaches breath, body and voice work for relaxation and rejuvenation. This upcoming year she will be working on a new performance piece and will be heading to Los Angeles to study and work for a few months. This Christmas, she is going to try something new and enjoy some simple rest and relaxation.

What is your new project about?

It is all very preliminary, but basically accumulating the seconds since something significant has happened that has have to do with violence, and then taking one step at a time (for each second) with as many people as we can, to start realizing and resolving these issues.

You travel a bit for work. Where has been your favorite place to visit?

L.A. I love everything about L.A. I love the creative energy and the sense of creative spirit. I love being in the midst of likeminded people. This really means nothing more than an eclectic diverse range of human beings. I feel normal there. I love the studios that I study at. They are like a godsend. And the shopping! It never stops! At any moment you might meet someone whose label you are wearing.

The pieces that you are wearing today are from a diverse mix of shops. Is that something you try to do when creating your style?

Yes, unless I am in a bad mood, then I dress monochromatic. I really think of clothing like art. I pick and pull from wherever. And I like to support local stores, like Aria. A lot of what is carried there, are independent Canadian designers. And I like to buy things that are designed or manufactured in Canada. Also, I have come into color just this last year. And all of a sudden, literally, I cannot get enough color. And the less coordinated it is, the better. It feels truly like I found my own style.

What is your favourite piece of clothing?

My favourite piece I have ever bought, I haven’t purchased yet. But I am hoping soon, that it will be a Sarah Pacini sweater. I can envision it in my closet.

Can you give me one word each to describe your style and yourself?

Bright! And strange.

Interview and photography for prairie dog.

how to start a new year...

I was thinking...what would be the best way to start a new year?
With bunnies of course! Enjoy and Happy New Year...xo carey