sally mckay and lorna mills

Lorna Mills and Sally McKay

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Simpleposie and many others are petitioning the Canada Council in protest against their changes to the individual artists' grants. There is a really compelling and articulate letter against the new mandate written by PAARC, (Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres), that serves as an excellent rallying cry. I read through the near-report at the CC website a couple of weeks ago, and found myself puzzled rather than outraged. I heard by gossip that the new agenda is intended to redirect funds in order to serve senior artists who are retiring from teaching positions, etc. I have NO IDEA if this is true, and if it is... I have NO IDEA if that is a good or a bad thing. I am also supremely curious, the gossip aside, to know: are there any artists out there who like the proposed changes? Knowing that the council has recently instituted a grant for private, commercial galleries(!), and knowing that current political trends indicate a solid retreat from socialism, I would venture a guess that the new proposal is not great news for the average-artist-on-the-street. As AARCO says in their open letter: " One of the dangers in their new proposal is the shift in the focus of granting criteria, away from creative process towards market-certified product." This sounds baaaad to me. But is it the only perspective? At the same time, "The Canada Council for the Arts has called on Canadians to send all levels of government a clear message about the positive impact the arts have on their communities," due to "advocacy [being] needed to promote value of arts." I think we gotta shit or get off the pot on this business of articulating the value of our practice. And somehow I don't feel qualified to sign that petition just yet. What does everybody else think?

tomorrow!

Peter MacCallum: Material World
Photographs:
Interiors 1986-2004
Concrete Industries 1998-2004

edited by Rebecca Diederichs
designed by Bryan Gee

published by YYZ BOOKS and Museum London

I worked on this book of photographs by artist Peter MacCallum in my last job as managing editor at YYZ Books. It launches this Saturday afternoon in Toronto (see blurb below) and next Saturday in London, Ontario. Peter is an exceptional photographer and I have to say that, biased as I am, this book is gorgeous. Two years ago I wrote in Lola that Peter's photographs are "both unmannered and unsentimental, while at the same time beautiful. A simple, careful, and competent representation can tug at the heartstrings harder than the most expressionistic outpourings." Peter MacCallum works very hard and his photographs serve as a testament to labour on several levels. Records of late 20th century industry, they also zing with light and detail, and a surreal sharpness that makes you feel as if you can see too well, as if you are looking through the instance of the moment to it's own timeless, perfect incarnation. Designer Bryan Gee and editor Rebecca Diederichs put this book together with a commensurate level of care and attention to detail, and the thing has turned out beautifully. I also urge anyone in London to go and see the show, Peter MacCallum: Concrete Industries, on until February 27 at Museum London. You won't be disappointed.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Along with the photographs, there are three essays in the book, an introduction, and an interview. The interview is by Blake Fitzpatrick. The essays are by Michael Baker, Terence Dick, and Russell Smith. The intro is by Rebecca Diederichs.
TORONTO LAUNCH: Saturday, November 20th, 2 5 p.m. David Mirvish Books / Art Books 596 Markham Street, Toronto	LONDON LAUNCH (with artist's talk): Saturday, November 27th, 2 p.m. Museum London 421 Ridout Street North, London
Individuals can order the book online from YYZBooks For retail or bulk orders go to ABC

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