Reviews on Feature emphasize its accessibility. However I don’t think that this show is for new-comers to the spectator sport of art, art-appreciators who might not know the exact definition of post-impressionism, or those who might have never stepped foot in a gallery before.
Don’t get me wrong, Feature: Contemporary Art Fair was an interesting show in many ways: it spotlighted Canadian artists, had some stand-out pieces, and broke the traditional mould of 90-degree angle booths. Feature opted for a trapezoidal set up. These zigzagging gallery spaces contributed to the lack of cohesion, as visitors had to be led through awkwardly arranged spaces, up concrete stairwells and through art-less spaces split among two floors in the Opera House space to see the whole show.
Photo credit: ARHphoto
It seemed as though I was surrounded by the inner circles of the “Canadian Art World”, as I didn’t see anyone who didn’t have a proverbial paintbrush in their hand. Where were the condo dwellers that lived on the east side who wanted to see a cool art show? Where were the weekenders who wanted a cultural outing? Maybe they were all at Art Toronto.
However, this disjoint was semi-redeemed by Art Metropole’s presence. Art Metropole, who stressed not to call themselves a book shop, told audiences that they were one of few art centres in the world that would help to publish and distribute artist-initiated publications for those who do not yet have their foot in the art-world. It was a nice to offset the high-brow art with the knowledge that an institution exists which sells art pieces for very accessible prices, some even priced below a single dollar.
I think that one of the most interesting piece was presented in Galerie Donald Browne by Jérôme Havre who creates wonderfully intricate patchwork marionettes that touch on racial identities and narratives. His work will be shown at the Art Gallery of Ontario in January 2016.
Galerie Donald Browne, work by Jérôme Havre. Photo credit: ARHphoto
The highlight of the show for me was a comical piece by the Toronto-based collective VSVSVS, represented by Justina M. Barnicke Gallery at Hart House (University of Toronto) on gym culture in condominium gyms. The title “You Can(‘t) and You Should(n’t)” features workout equipment made with non traditional materials like wood and concrete, poking fun at those who don’t know what they are doing in a gym. To make their point even clearly, the group has looped a youtube-esque compilation of “questionable exercise regimens”.
Presentation by VSVSVS. Photo credit: Justina M. Barnicke Gallery Facebook Page
Overall it was nice to see an exclusively Canadian art gallery presence, which didn’t overwhelm viewers with a sense of Canadiana, but the venue and curating can be improved to encourage more nontraditional fair-goers to attend.
Ella Gorevalov