You are currently browsing the monthly archive for November 2009.
Jambalaya, selections from CJSF playlist hosted by J Peachy with special musical guest The Autumn Portrait, live in studio. May take a moment to download.
Part 1 (30 mins)
Part 2 (30 mins)
In this episode we look at two arts related projects specifically aimed at self expression, arts in mental health.
In Part 1 we will be speaking with two members of artist-run Gallery Gachet, based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Collective members Quin Martins and Lisa Walker join us as they talk about the mandate of the gallery and the upcoming exhibition.
In Part 2 we speak with Ellen Ostofsky and John Burghardt about the Touched by Fire program and the recent exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
We will also have 2010 East Coast Music Award Double Nominee, Coco Love Alcorn live in studio with her soulful sounds, witty lyrics and engaging banter.
In case you missed the show live, you can listen to the recorded broadcast at the bottom of this post.
GALLERY GACHET
- Gallery Gachet is a unique artistic institution founded in Vancouver in 1992. Named after Vincent Van Gogh’s homeopathic doctor, Paul Gachet.
- Gallery Gachet strives to provide a focal point for dialogue amongst outsider/dissident artists.
- We aim to use the canvas of the outside work to educate and demystify the public on issues related to mental health and to advance the artistic discourse around these issues.
- We provide the artists informed by mental health issues with opportunities to exhibit, curate, perform, read, teach and to develop their leadership skills.
Located at 88 East Cordova Street, close to the diverse populations that reside in Vancouver’s neighborhoods.
TOUCHED BY FIRE
Touched By Fire is a program to stimulate and celebrate the work created by artists with mood disorders. (There are many such artists well known in art history, from Michelangelo to van Gogh, Gauguin to Georgia O’Keefe.) The program has two complementary features: an annual week-long show, held every year November, and this online virtual gallery.
Touched By Fire is not a fund-raising effort, but a non-profit program dedicated exclusively to the work and future development of its artists.
Touched by Fire is a dedication to Rebecca Burghardt who tragically took her own life in July 2005. Family and friends were devastated – but also, they were determined to continue Rebecca’s struggle, seeking happier pathways for others with similar talents and similar problems. Rebecca’s illness had already led her father, John Burghardt, to become deeply involved as a communications volunteer with the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario. The family decided to make a bequest to MDAO in Rebecca’s name.
John, Rebecca’s father, met with Karen Liberman, Executive Director of MDAO, and Rebecca DiFilippo, Editor/Publisher of Moods Magazine, seeking to build not just a memorial, but a road forward against mood disorders. The result is Touched By Fire.
COCO LOVE ALCORN
Coco Love Alcorn, who was recently nominated for two 2010 East Coast Music Awards is our live in studio musical guest. You can also see her in concert Saturday December 12th at the RIO Theatre. cocolovealcorn.com
Broadcast Date: Monday December 7th, 7pm CJSF 90.1 FM, Burnaby, BC, Canada. Listen live on-line cjsf.ca
Archived episode below. May take a moment to load.
Part 1 (30 mins)
Part 2 (30 mins)
Congratulations to James F. who won two tickets to Coco’s concert on Saturday December 12th at the RIO Theatre.
“Art” is a play that explores and tests a long-standing friendship between three men when one of them purchases a very expensive piece of abstract art — a large painting consisting of white lines on a white canvas. The production features; Dimitry Arvanitis (Marc), Michael Weir (Serge) and William Valenzuela (Yvan). “Art” is playing at the Port Moody Inlet Theatre, (Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada) until November 28th. The story revolves around three characters; Marc a hyper-analytical aeronautical engineer, Serge an arrogant pseudo-cultural elitist and successful Dermatologist, and Yvan the neurotic, people-pleaser.
This interrelationship between characters and art is a microcosm of the mind of North American male; the pursuit of self-definition and superiority, cultural intellect is the preferred weapon of choice here. Conflict erupts when Serge proudly pays an exorbitant amount for his new piece of work. Marc sees this as Serge’s attempt into breaking into the cultural elite and feels that he has to save Serge from what he feels is a path of destruction. Problem is that Marc’s expression of tough love creates hostility between the two. Yvan, whose neuroticism is fueled by the stress of an upcoming wedding is caught in the middle of this fight and is tossed around like a rag doll in the process.
In today’s mainstream Pop Culture, the role of men is typecast as a couch surfing, fist bumping, sports fan. However “Art” is a refreshing escape from that. Arts and Culture references were tossed around like Jelly Beans. The dialogue was sophisticated and the interrelationship between the characters was complex. How Marc and Serge described their relationship with each other was hyper analytical, ego maniacal and loud; somewhat analogous to those endless pre and post game analyses you would see on your local sports channel. The intense arguments between all three characters were like emotional pinball, you really didn’t know who was going to go on “TILT” next. The performance by all three actors was strong, engaging and hilarious.
Although some of the arguments may seem over the top, it doesn’t get too tiring. The audience is given moments to catch its breath and think, what the heck is going on here? So if you’re planning to go, clear your mind from any distraction, you may miss a hurling insult or two. “Art” is more complex than just about the art, it’s the expression of the male ego, it’s conflict at its best or worst, now what else would you expect?
J Peachy
Visual Artist and Creative Catalyst
jpeachy.carbonmade.com
Producer Sound Therapy Radio
CJSF 90.1 FM
soundtherapyradio.com
Have I missed 40 Years of Hidden Gems?
I was recently invited to the ArtsConnect 40th Anniversary celebration last week. I had pretty low expectations; my thinking was that it will be a showcase of children’s recitals. Not like that there is anything wrong with that. However, I am one of those people that mistakenly believes local quality culture exists only downtown. I must say that I was humbled, embarrassed and amazingly inspired. A show that seemed to endure major traffic on the Lougheed highway, illness of performers and horrible weather, was a rich but yet small sample of the amazing talent that exists right in our community.
The concert opened up with the Coastal Sound Youth Choir. With a group of over 50 vocalists, their presence was captivating. Their short performance included African and Brazilian native songs with accompanying dance. However, they capped of their set with a truly emotional arrangement of U2’s With or Without You. As the Choir made their way into the aisles and their beautiful voices surrounded us, there were tears in the audience as you absorbed the energy and inspiration.
Throughout the evening there was a variety of performances of young local talent, including the beautiful vocals of Ashley Young and the unbelievable grace on piano by 17 yr old Jovian Cheng. Internationally celebrated dancer Cori Caulfield and vocalist Dr. Gina Oh collaborated on a spellbinding performance.
The evening ended soon after 9pm and left me wanting more. I believe the shock that it was over so early had people not wanting to leave. I began to think what other hidden gems had I missed in the past 40 years? Well I’m not that old, but you get the point. I thought of all the hockey games I watched and TV I couched in front of and wondered what the possibilities could have been? I still like sports but, would I have been an artist earlier, tapped into my musical curiosity at a younger age, or accepted my creativity more openly, who knows? I guess what matters is, the present, and the recognition and respect of talent that exists and continues to grow in our community. With the Arts facing the pressure of massive cuts, I need them for inspiration as much as they need our support and attendance. It’s the hidden gems in my own backyard that I don’t intend to miss in the future; I’d suggest that you don’t either.
J Peachy
Visual Artist and Creative Catalyst
jpeachy.carbonmade.com
Producer Sound Therapy Radio
CJSF 90.1 FM
soundtherapyradio.com
Selections from the CJSF Playlist, hosted by J Peachy. Also included special guests from the cast of “Art”, from Fight Like a Girl Productions which is on at the Port Moody Inlet Theatre, beginning November 19, 2009. May take a few moments to load
First Half Hour
Second Half Hour
Jay and Kitt play their favourites on Jambalaya Fri Nov 6th at CJSF 90.1 FM, enjoy. May take a moment to load.
Part 1 (30 minutes)
Part 2 (30 minutes)
We had a chance to speak with Stephen Ramsay, co-lead of the Montreal based band Young Galaxy. They were in Vancouver last week performing at the Biltmore Cabaret. Stephen and girlfriend Catherine McCandless who both lead the 5 person group have roots in British Columbia. Ramsay refers to their genre as part of the growing ‘Couple Core’ bands where off stage couples also collaborate musically. Having toured with his previous band STARS, the couple were apart a significant portion of the time, and creating together was the only option. The situation is working great he says.
Young Galaxy recently took a major risk by not renewing their relationship with the highly successful Canadian independent Label, Arts and Crafts. Ramsay mentioned that controlling their destiny is primarily based on the future than in the present. While he stated that there was no animosity or philosophical differences with the Label, it was the rapidly changing industry that was a major factor in the decision. He said “its not just bands that are struggling, Labels are too. Everyone is working in competition with each other to stay afloat and figuring out new ways to create revenue for themselves. With Arts and Crafts we didn’t have large philosophical differences; in fact we were likely more the same.” Preserving their creative integrity by not having the weight and expectations of a label is important for them in their pursuit of longevity. He felt that many bands get caught up in blaming Labels for their lack of success. By putting so much expectation on what the label can deliver for you, some bands end up feeling depressed that their home run swing didn’t materialize as they had hoped. Ramsay feels that bands now need to take more ownership, even if that means tempering their expectations in the short-term. Even under the management of the Label, YG needed to make tough business decisions, in reducing their touring costs, which was not comfortable. Ramsay believes it seemed part of their growing and learning experience.
Their concert on Wed Oct 28 at the Biltmore Cabaret, seemed to have smaller attendance than they likely deserved. Having a U2 concert, close out their tour on the same day at BC Place likely had a lot to do with it. The bands, space pop style combined with co-lead McCandless captivates. While a good performance that night and their full sound with favourites Destroyer and Long Live the Fallen World, an overzealous fog machine however, seemed to mystify their presence on stage at times. Ironically, it seemed a little symbolic of their journey of finding a way on their own. However they seem grounded in their integrity and authenticity, definitely a great base for longevity.
J Peachy
Visual Artist and Creative Catalyst
jpeachy.carbonmade.com
Producer Sound Therapy Radio
CJSF 90.1 FM
soundtherapyradio.com
Faunts’ “Feel.Love.Thinking.Of” …really?
November 11, 2009 in Arts Review, Commentary | Tags: faunts, feel.love.thinking.of, music video, psychology, sexual abuse | by J Peachy | Leave a comment
Kitt recently forwarded me a video by the band Faunts’ “Feel.Love.Thinking.Of”, one she quite enjoyed. However, being a visual person I saw something totally different. Shocking in fact, mainly because we had been working on our upcoming episode which featured the topic of Therapist – Patient Transgressions (read more). Ironic, considering we had just interviewed Bernadine about her traumatic experience of manipulation and abuse by her Counselling Psychologist. Have a look at the video and judge for yourself.
I’m sure most will blow this video off as just some fantasy, and its just a music video, cmon… but do we really want to glamorize this? Ok sure both the subjects are attractive and its forbidden love. However, its a power postion that the doctor is in. Additionally there is the reference to Rorschach inkblot test, a psychological assesment tool, which leads us to believe it is a Psychologist-Client relationship. Now really is that the basis of true love? Ok, now substitute the characters in the video for your gynecologist, family doctor or priest, do you now get what I am saying?
Hey future doctors of the world, is this the reason why you want to get into medicine? If so, do the less attractive patients get better or worse service? Maybe your less distracted when not hitting on someone. I don’t think this is a storyline like the pool boy doing regular maintenance for the older lady down the block, its different. Real people get hurt and ones who are particularly vulnerable (sexual and physical abuse). While the video is visually appealing, it misses on the premise and reference of true love, it even goes far to offend. I really couldn’t see Counseling Psychologists endorsing this.
So much of the artistic critique today is based on the technical concepts, ie. song composition, video and other elements. But should we not be looking at content and form in conjunction, can we not expand the boundaries of our creativity and be more aware of what we are really saying?
J Peachy
Visual Artist and Creative Catalyst
jpeachy.carbonmade.com
Producer Sound Therapy Radio
CJSF 90.1 FM
soundtherapyradio.com
Share this:
Like this: