Opening exhibit aims to engage
Remai Modern’s chief curator aims to engage and challenge, writes Stephanie McKay.
Launching a new gallery is an experience very few curators have even once. With the launch of Remai Modern Art Gallery of Saskatchewan, the gallery’s director of programs and chief curator is doing it for a second time.
Nearly 20 years ago, Sandra Guimaraes was an intern working in the Portuguese city of Porto.
She was part of the team working to open the Serralves Museum under the leadership of Vicente Todoli, who later went on to direct the Tate Modern in London.
She has fond memories of the experience, which helped drive her decision to come to Saskatoon as Remai Modern prepared to open.
She knew she was going to be part of something special.
Though her responsibilities now are completely different, not to mention greater, she’s found similarities between the two experiences.
“I found a lot of similarities in both projects and even both cities, like the size of the city. Porto is not a big city. People there are very friendly, too,” she said. “I saw and I see still how important it is to have a museum in the city of that dimension and with that ambition. I saw that in Porto and it was really transforming in a good way, amplifying all the good things of the city and giving more opportunities for artists.”
The Remai Modern opens to the public Saturday with its first exhibition Field Guide. The curatorial staff has been working for years to put together a show that resonates not only for the local community but elsewhere in Canada and around the world. That is reflected in a selection of works by artists from around the world and here in Saskatchewan.
When discussing the inaugural exhibition, Guimaraes said it was important for them to consider both the physical space of the gallery and the context of the city itself. The title Field Guide reflects the exhibition’s goal of having viewers discover the pieces rather than follow them in a narrative structure.
“You discover it, I hope, not really in a didactic manner but in an experiential one,” Guimaraes said. “We have really brought together all the artworks in different spaces of the building and not just in the galleries. We have created a constellation of artworks that will establish relationships between different levels, between the outside and the inside, inside of the galleries and in between spaces.”
The building encourages viewers to take in not only the artwork but the landscape surrounding the gallery. Guimaraes hopes the two play off one another.
Guimaraes said the show aims to confront viewers with questions.
Instead of giving easy answers, she hopes people will leave wanting to learn more and also be curious to return to Remai Modern.
“It’s all about curiosity and the experience,” she said.
The show combines works from the Mendel Art Gallery collection with loans from artists and galleries and new works commissioned by Remai Modern.
Guimaraes hopes the show creates interesting relationships between the works that haven’t been shown together before. The curators wanted to break down rules of categories and place and time.
“We wanted work that asks questions that are pertinent to our time but could be challenged by artworks from the ’50s, the ’60s, artists who participated in the Emma Lake workshops to, for example, Mexican contemporary art,” she said.
The pieces can be viewed both as singular voices and as collections of works where unexpected ideas and questions are presented.
“We really try to challenge and to take some risks,” said Guimaraes.
For Guimaraes, the opening is about much more than a single exhibition, it’s the launch of a space that also offers live programming, a film series, family and seniors events, artist talks and more.
We have really brought together all the artworks in different spaces of the building and not just in the galleries. We have created a constellation of artworks that will establish relationships between different levels, between the outside and the inside, inside of the galleries and in between spaces. Chief curator Sandra Guimaraes
Opportunities will also continue for those who aren’t able to travel to the gallery.
‘The gallery will stay open until 10 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays to accommodate unique experiences.
The Turn Out programs launched during the transition between the Mendel and Remai Modern will also continue.
“We are creating a situation where we will be able to include and invite different ages, different kinds of people, a large audience. We really want to make sure everyone will feel comfortable,” she said.
“Although the building is amazing what will be inside, the energy of the projects, the artworks, the dialogue of the people, that is the most important. I truly believe in that energy and transformative experience.”
Though the public is focused on the opening celebrations the staff is also hard at work planning future exhibitions.
Field Guide offers a preview of many of the artists they hope to continue to work with in future shows.
“This is just the beginning of a journey,” she said.
“What is important is that the community of Saskatoon in an extended manner will feel at home or will feel invited or welcomed. This is very important for us.”