Fall arts preview: Five must-see exhibits
Visual arts scene bounces back with some intriguing and imaginative works
The truth is, the whole process of timed, limited entry to most of our major galleries or museums over the past few years was awesome.
Being free from packed crowds and selfie seekers meant having time to appreciate an artist's work in your own personal space, which was perfect for diving deeper into the emotions and ideas inspired by what was on exhibit. However, gallery owners and artists alike probably hated this because bodies equal more potential sales — and that's what keeps the lights on. Sadly, some spaces switched off for good. But now the gallery and exhibition scene is bouncing back.
Artists are showing works created over a unique period in our collective history and it will be interesting to see if any common themes or content comes up. Or maybe it still comes down to a process of picking out what you like from what is offered.
Here are five art events to take in this fall:
T.REX CHILLIWACK CORN MAZE
When: Until Oct. 13, Tues. to Sat., 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Labour Day, Mon., Sept. 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Greendale Acres Chilliwack Corn Maze, 41905 Yale Rd., Chilliwack.
Tickets/info: From $16 at greendaleacres.ca
A corn maze is a work of often-complex architecture for folks to try to navigate. But
when you add in Science World partnering with the maze makers at Greendale Acres for the 24th Chilliwack Corn Maze, you know you get something more. In this case, a dozen acres of space boasting a giant T.Rex design to go in tandem with the T.rex, the Ultimate Predator event on at Science World's dome until
February. What makes it even better is you can get a bunch of delicious local cobs to take home and devour like they were some little dinosaur appetizers. As the photo of the maze design (greendaleacres. ca/corn-maze/) shows, there is a mystery in it, too. What is with the chicken?
NICKIE LEWIS: CREATURES OF NATURE
When: Sept. 7 to Oct. 1. Where: Outsiders and Others, 716 East Hastings St.
Tickets/info: outsidersandothers.com
Burnaby's Nickie Lewis is a self-taught sculptor and installation artist whose passion is to make sustainable, eco-friendly work with biodegradable materials such as cedar sticks, ivy, moss, jute twine and found items. Among the projects created by Lewis were eight largescale stick works placed around Burnaby Park. Ranging from dragons of the imagination to sleeping beauties, these grand installations
reflected the artist's often tongue-in-cheek hidden messages. The pandemic paused a lot of the large works, so Lewis has assembled some smaller pieces as well for this immersive exhibit. Outsiders and Others is a non-profit art society with two galleries showcasing the works of non-traditional creatives. The window gallery at #100 938 Howe St. is illuminated 24-7 if you happen to be downtown some enchanted evening.
VANESSA BROWN: THAT OTHER HUNGER
When: Sept. 9 to Nov. 6. Where: Richmond Art Gallery, 7700 Minoru Gate #180, Richmond.
Tickets/info: richmondartgallery.org
Richmond-raised, European-based visual artist Vanessa Brown explores the concept of the hole in this exhibit. Incorporating video, textiles, sculpture and sound, Brown dives into everything from the Pantehon's oculus to holes in nature, in the heavens and
even within us. But before this all sounds too esoteric to fathom, consider that the artist is on record stating the opening portable hole of classic Looney Tunes cartoons was an early obsession. That is sure to permit some levity to enter into the conceptual works.
VANCOUVER LATIN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTRE: LATIN EXPRESSIONS
When: Oct. 1 to Nov. 5. Where: Various venues. Tickets/info: vlacc.ca Celebrating its first decade, the Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre continues pursuing its mandate to provide all Canadians with a deeper understanding and connection to Latin American arts and culture. Partnering up with the local creative community this year, VLACC is presenting Latin Expressions. This program, in celebration of Latin American Heritage Month in October,
includes film, dance, visual art, musical and literary events taking place all over the Lower Mainland. Among the highlights will be the Oct. 19 Vancouver Writers Fest event with Carmen Rodriguez in conversation with authors Natalia Garcia and Claudia Castro Luna (Revue Stage, Granville Is., 8 p.m.), and a big, closing music extravaganza on Nov. 4 and 5 at the Vancouver Playhouse with percussion star Sal Ferreras at a Puerto Rico: Roots and Rhythms Gala Concert.
HEART OF THE CITY FESTIVAL
When: Oct. 26 to Nov. 6. Where: Various venues, locations in the Downtown Eastside.
Tickets/info: heartofthecityfestival.com
The 19th annual celebration of the creative community in the Downtown Eastside is presented by Vancouver Moving Theatre Association with Carnegie Community Centre and the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians. With more than 100 events taking place both indoors and out, there is something for everyone, be it poetry and theatre or history walks and more. The theme for this year is Community is Our Mentor, and looks into the challenges facing the area following the hardships of two years of pandemic closings to important, local gathering places. Among the fascinating events taking place is the Intangible Treasures of the Downtown Eastside shadow puppet play collection, showing on Zoom, that were created for residents to explore personal treasures of the area and IronFest III jazz events.