The University of South Queensland Art Gallery Presents 'Antipods: Magical Creatures with Backward Feet'

Antipods: Magical Creatures with Backward Feet

September 15-October 29, 2015

Co-Curated by Susan Shantz and Beata Batorowicz  

Assitant Curator: Linda Clark

'Antipods' Comments for Comments from the Gordon Snelgrove Gallery at the University of Saskatchewan and at the Art Gallery of Swift Current

Check out some of the comments that were entered into the Antipods' exhibition guest book at the Gordon Snelgrove Gallery !

Antipods: Floor Plan for the Art Gallery of Swift Current

After shipping off the USQ and U of S Antipod work to Australia,  professor Susan Shantz found the original floor plan that was hatched on a Subway napkin prior to installing the show at the Art Gallery of Swift Current a month ago. We had lots of fun during the process of considering both the space and those connections that create a dialogue between the works.

Now That The USQ & U of S Collaborative Work Is Complete, What Other Projects Are Individuals Working On?

I am interested in learning what other projects, both the USQ and
U of S students are up to since the installation of our collaborative ongoing venture at the Art Gallery of Swift Current.  To hopefully get everyone blogging and sharing, I decided to fill you in on what I have been up to this past week.  Since I don't currently have access to the creatures that I made for our joint Antipods show, I decided that I would like to create more of these creatures ( I call them  Antipodites), so that I could begin animating them through video experimentation. Below is a process shot depicting a small portion of the first one that I completed yesterday.

Work in progress                                                       tulle. thread

A still of the completed piece, with some reflected coloured light.

Now it is your turn to blog...I am curious to see what you are all up to!  

A Leisurely Walk up a Banff Mountain Trail not far from the Whyte Museum!

The Whyte Museum, Banff, Alberta

 After the Show at Swift Current a few of us headed out to Alberta for additional gallery and hiking experiences.  On our final day, after a morning of exploring the wonderful exhibitions at the Whyte Museum, we decided to go for a short hike.  Our friend Lewis ran up to the summit and back, while the rest of us walked to the half way point within that same time period. We headed back down again to meet our time deadline...we wanted to get to the campground showers before taking Beata and Lewis to the airport. Time just flew by!

A hiking view of Banff from the Mountain 

Beata taking a little break!

Susan Shantz and Beata Batorowicz

Great time in swift current!! Here's a photo of the landscape!! More to come!!

Our Swift Current Camp Site for the three days that we Installed our work at AGSC

I just went through some of the photographs that I took at our Swift Current Camp sight.  It was the first time Beata or I ever went camping!  This site was a little rough when it came to bathroom facilities, as both Beata and I will attest! However it was quite picturesque! In addition to all the wonderful wild life that surrounded us...chirping birds and howling coyotes...we saw a beautiful screech owl that would perch every morning on the top of a telephone pole and sit there for a couple of hours preening itself!  This was when I wished I had a telescopic lens!

Ali, Shanyse and Lief sitting around the camp fire cooking thier chicken!

Beata unwinding after a hard day of Installing work at the Art Gallery of Swift Current!

Susan preparing a delicious meal of gnocchi, tomatoes, mushrooms and pesto, yum!

Yep!  This really is my tent, for those of you who might be in disbelief that I really went camping!

Some of the pretty landscape that surrounded us!

Check Out Reporter Mathew Liebenberg's Online Article and Pictures of our Antipods Show!

Below is the Mathew Liebenberg's Prairie Post Online Article that was based on the Antipods opening Reception at the Art Gallery of Swift Current.

http://www.prairiepost.com/news/swift-current/item/8264-art-gallery-hosts-int-collaborative-visual-arts-project.html

Don't forget to click onto the link below to see more pictures that were taken at AGSC's opening reception!

http://www.prairiepost.com/multimedia/gallery/item/8255-opening-reception-for-antipods-exhibition-in-swift-current-july-8-2015.html

Art Gallery of Swift Current Show with USQ and USASK

Along with professor Susan Shantz, professor Beata Batorowicz, three USASK students and the wonderful AGSC  installation experts; we managed to get Antipods: Magical Creatures with Backward Feet, installed within three days...with just one hour to spare before the opening reception on Wednesday!

This was the first time that the USASK students had the opportunity to work with a professional team, to aid and facillitate the installation of both our work and that of USQ.  The AGSC team were very generous as they not only assisted with the more difficult aspects of the install, but also provided some innovative problem solving installation solutions that we will certainly carry forward with us in the future.

The Openning reception was well attended as the AGSC director and curator, Kim Houghtaling provided opening remarks, and asked that Professor Batorowicz and Professor Shantz speak to the collaborative process between both USQ and USASK.  Those USASK students who were present for the opening reception, were also asked to speak to both their work and to the USQ artist that they each  individually were responding to.

Dr. Beata Batorowicz is Here!

It was with great anticipation, that we at the University of Saskatchewan finally had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Beata Batorowicz from the University of South Queensland!  After we all got to know one another a little better over dinner,  the evening was topped off at AKA gallery with Beata Batorowicz's inspirational talk!
On Friday we all welcomed and appreciated her well considered insights, as she met with us to discuss the work that was showcased at both the Gordon Snelgrove Gallery and AKA Gallery.
 It was sad to take down both shows today.  However, on Monday we are off on another adventure to hang all of USQ and USASK 's work in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.  It will be great to see all the work in one venue!

Beata photographing at AKA Gallery