Monday 29 August 2011

Polish sculptor recycles wood from the Kleinburg Forest

THE MCMICHAEL WELCOMES ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE RYSZARD LITWINIUK, INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED WOOD SCULPTOR

I approach wood with respect, conscious that my touch and each cut has a reason and consequence on the journey of uncovering inside secrets, riches and a beauty. Every tree has its own story to tell— and every little part of the trunk can give picture of the whole. — Ryszard Litwiniuk, Sculptor

For Immediate Release

August 29, 2011 Kleinburg, ON – The McMichael Canadian Art Collection proudly welcomes Ryszard Litwiniuk to the gallery as part of its Artists-in-Residence program. An internationally celebrated sculptor who works primarily in wood, Ryszard will be living and working on the grounds until September 16, 2011. During his month-long residency at the McMichael, Ryszard will create wood sculptures for outdoor display at the gallery, utilizing recycled ash and pine planks.
Born in Poland, Ryszard has resided in Ontario since 1998 and lives in Niagara Falls. His art is displayed in collections across Ontario, Canada, and the world in places such as the Cambridge Sculpture Garden, Ontario; The Tree Museum, Gravenhurst, Ontario; L’Office National des ForĂȘts de la Meuse, Lorraine, France; City Hall, Asiago, Italy; and many others.
Ryszard received his Masters Degree of Fine Arts in 1992 from the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk, Poland, and has been involved in thirty-six international symposiums and projects throughout Europe, the Americas, and Asia. His signature sculpting style, characterized by dynamic geometrical shapes, has been honoured by many Canadian art establishments, including eleven solo exhibitions across Ontario at the Art Gallery of Mississauga, Hart House’s Justine M. Barnicke Gallery, and most recently in 2008, the Art Gallery of Peel in Brampton, to name a few. Ryszard’s sculptures will be wonderful additions to the McMichael’s outdoor gallery spaces displaying a variety of art compositions in rock, bronze, and now wood.
Visitors to the gallery may catch the artist creating his sculptures outside the Woodchopper’s Shack.
Due to noise and safety levels with the tools his artwork requires, conversation with the artist-in-residence may be quite limited, but we invite all visitors to return on Sunday, October 2, when Ryszard will be offering a public talk about this project as part of the Culture Days and Doors Open Vaughan special event at the McMichael, with free admission and parking all weekend.



About the Work of Ryszard Litwiniuk


The sculptural work of Ryszard Litwiniuk is primarily created from wood, felled trees, occasionally utilizing steel as joinery, added not only as a method for its structural integrity, but facilitating in its aesthetic association. Litwiniuk's sculpture has been realized as site-specific installations, fabrications within the locale of the tree's origin with variable/minimal manipulation or reconstruction, utilizing power tools to facilitate a re-ordering of the tree's essence or structure. Ryszard Litwiniuk's signature works are the latter. It is within these works where he releases geometric forms from the inner core of the tree trunk, as ‘units within units’ where the indication of its very essence as revealed by the circular/rhythmic ‘evidence of life’ contrasts with the testimonial markings of the artist's tools. (Litwiniuk's main tool of choice is the chain saw.) —Ted Fullerton, Artist, Professor, Head of Fine Art, School of Design and Visual Art, Georgian College

About the McMichael Canadian Art Collection


The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is an agency of the Government of Ontario and acknowledges the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. It is the foremost venue in the country showcasing the Group of Seven and their contemporaries. In addition to touring exhibitions, its permanent collection consists of more than 5,500 artworks, including paintings by the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, First Nations and Inuit artists. The gallery is located on Islington Avenue, north of Major Mackenzie Drive in Kleinburg, and is open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors/students and $30 for families. There is a $5 fee for parking. For more information about the gallery, visit www.mcmichael.com.

photograph: Metamorphosis
by Ryszard Litwiniuk

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For further information, contact:

Stephen Weir, Publicist
Gallery: 905.893.1121 ext. 2529
Toronto Office: 416.489.5868
Cell: 416.801.3101
sweir@mcmichael.com

Tuesday 16 August 2011

Marilyn Monroe and the McMichael will be at the Ex. Popular show at Toronto's CNE

Media Alert
THE McMICHAEL CANADIAN ART COLLECTION IS PRESENTING A MARILYN MONROE EXHIBITION AT THE CNE THIS AUGUST 19th TO SEPTEMBER 5th.

A McMichael Canadian Art Collection exhibition chronicling Marilyn Monroe's visits to Canada in the fifties will be on display throughout August at the Canadian National Exhibition. The show which includes photographs, film posters and historic magazine feature articles, will be on display in the Queen Elizabeth Building at the CNE.
The "Ex" runs August 19 to September 5, 2011 at Toronto's CNE grounds. The Marilyn exhibition is free with admission to the CNE.
The Marilyn Monroe in Canada exhibition was first curated by the McMichael's Chris Finnearlier this year to accompany a very successful international Marilyn Monroe art show. This current exhibition includes photographs by John Vachon and Jock Carroll taken during the making of the movies Niagara and River of No Return. There will also be a documentary about the McMichael exhibition (filmed by Rogers York Region) and a Beach Digital video about art goers reactions to Marilyn Monroe myth, continually showing in the Queen Elizabeth exhibition space.
River of No Return was a 1954 American Western film directed by Otto Preminger and starred Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe. Segments of the film were shot in Banff, Alberta. Niagara (1953) was a dramatic thriller, film noir directed by Henry Hathaway and starred Joseph Cotton and Marilyn Monroe. Segments of the movie were filmed in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

ABOUT THE McMICHAEL


The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is an agency of the Government of Ontario and acknowledges the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. It is the foremost venue in the country showcasing the Group of Seven and their contemporaries. In addition to touring exhibitions, its permanent collection consists of more than 5,700 artworks, including paintings by the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, First Nations, and Inuit artists. The gallery is located on Islington Avenue, north of Major Mackenzie Drive in Kleinburg, and is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors/students and $30 for families. There is a $5 fee for parking. For more information about the gallery, visit www.mcmichael.com.
Cutline: Marilyn Monroe poses with Mountie Raymond Cooper Morris while in Banff, Alberta, shooting 'River of No Return' in 1953. PHOTO: The Estate of John Vachon & Dover Publications Inc.

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For further gallery information contact:

Stephen Weir, Publicist
Gallery: 905.893.1121 ext. 2529
Toronto Office: 416.489.5868
Cell: 416.801.3101
sweir@mcmichael.com

For further information or to receive images, contact:

Annette Borger

Media Director, CNE
aborger@theex.com / 416-263-3817

Thursday 11 August 2011

Canada wins the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Rugy Cup

CANADA RUNS AWAY WITH THE WIN!

History was made in front of a bumper crowd at Fletcher's Fields in Markham Ontario on July 31ar, as the Team Canada Wolverines defeated the Jamaican national team 40-10. Both sides were champing at the bit to get at each other, and the match opened with both sides smashing and crashing into their respective lines, testing the waters. The first points came 6 minutes into the match as Jamaica was penalized for a high tackle. Stu McReynolds kicked through the opening points.

Canada then put through tries from Robin Legualt and Stu McReynolds, both touching down behind the posts. McReynolds added the extras on both. Jamaica were next to get on the scoreboard Sandino Hastings powering over the line, after some decent pressure from the visitors. Danny Tupou then scored 2 tries on both side of the half time break. At this point the Canadians were beginning to over power the Jamaicans who were looking overwhelmed by the 32 degree heat and the constant pressure Canada was able to put on. Louis Robinson then powered over for another try and the lead now 28-4 looked secure. Jamaica then answered with their last try of the afternoon Romaen "Gully" Campbell the scorer, and Marvin Thompson adding the extras. Tries from Chris Diamond and Trent Hansen both converted by McReynolds brought the final score to 40-10.

"This is a great win for Canada, for Rugby League in Canada, and for each and every player and coach that has put in so much time and effort to make this happen," said CRL Chairman Eric Perez. "the boys did the business today and we're all so proud of them." Captain Stephen Conlon had this to say when asked about the win. "We're very happy with the result, and to be able to avenge our loss in Jacksonville last year."

This win represented the first for Canada Rugby League and the Wolverines since being founded almost a year ago to the day, and signals Canada's intentions to be a force in international Rugby League.

Match Official: Paul Byrne
Canada Team Members

Robin Legault, Tony Felix, Stu McReynolds, Christian Miller, Danny Tupou, Jamie Lester, Matt Wyles, Steve London, Chris Diamond, Louis Robinson, Tim Mason, Henry Miers Trent Hansen, Subs: Tyler Allen, Dale Fitzgerald, Matt Gleed, Steve Lamb

Team Stats

Tries: Robin Legault (10), Stu McReynolds (18), Danny Tupou (2) (34, 42), Louis Robinson (54), Chris Diamond (62), Trent Hansen (71)
Goals: Stu McReynolds (6, 10, 18, 54, 62, 71)

Jamaica Team Members


Marvin Thompson, Claude Yen, Ryan Grant, Everton Richards, Jermaine Pinnock, Damen Gayle, Roy Calvert, Jade Harrison, Robert Rodney, Romaen Campbell, Nicholas Wright, Carlye Burger, Jahden Clarke Subs: Omar Jones Tyronie Rowe Adrian Myers, Sandino Hastings

Team Stats

Tries: Sandino Hastings (24), Romaen Campbell (58)
Goals: Marvin Thompson (60)
Penalty Count: Canada 7 Jamaica 11
Attendance: 1,213

Cutline - Top - happy Team Canada players after scoring .... again
Bottom - Over 1,200 people jammed the stands at Fletcher's Field in North Markham
Photographs by sweir

Wednesday 10 August 2011

New Morrisseau Exhibition Set To Open At The McMichael Gallery

30 Painting Exhibition from the Permanent Collection
Legends: Norval Morrisseau and Woodland Artists
Opens August 27, 2011 to January 2012


Kleinburg, On ... A new 30 painting exhibition, drawn from the McMichael Canadian Art Collections Permanent Collection, will open at the gallery on August 27th and will run until January 2012. The exhibition, which looks at how the works of the late Norval Morrisseau has influenced Canadian Woodland Artists, is curated by the McMichael's Chris Finn.
First Nations artist Norval Morrisseau is celebrated for establishing a style of art that became known as the Woodland School. The intuitive use of bright, pure colour shapes contained within black form lines is a deliberate attempt by the artist to communicate cultural beliefs and values to the viewer using colour. Other First Nations artists are similarly motivated through their creation of unique and significant art forms.

ABOUT THE McMICHAEL

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is an agency of the Government of Ontario and acknowledges the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. It is the foremost venue in the country showcasing the Group of Seven and their contemporaries. In addition to touring exhibitions, its permanent collection consists of more than 5,700 artworks, including paintings by the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, First Nations, and Inuit artists. The gallery is located on Islington Avenue, north of Major Mackenzie Drive in Kleinburg, and is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors/students and $30 for families. There is a $5 fee for parking. For more information about the gallery, visit www.mcmichael.com.

CUTLINE:
Spirit Fish
Carl Ray (1943-1978), Spirit Fish, c. 1975, acrylic on canvas, 61.4 x 76.7 cm, Purchase 1975, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 1975.32.2

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For further information or to receive images, contact:

Stephen Weir, Publicist
Gallery: 905.893.1121 ext. 2529
Toronto Office: 416.489.5868
Cell: 416.801.3101
sweir@mcmichael.com

Thursday 4 August 2011

Biggest Enemy of the truth about Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival? Wikipedia


FALSE INFORMATION ON WIKIPEDIA PICKED UP BY MEDIA RAINING ON OUR PARADE


Bad enough that the police killed someone at the festival, but a posting on Wikepedia is making it worse for the embattered organizers of the popular event!
Wikepedia had a page that lists all the criminal events that have occurred over the past 25-years. It is a shocking list. Shootings. Stabbings. Drugs. And the media have lapped it up. Without citing where they got the information, the Wall of Shame list has been quoted on CBC National News, in the Toronto Star, the Sun, CTV's website, John Oakley's show on AM640, John Tory and the Festival's biggest/loudest critic Chicago resident Jerry Agar on CFRB. (we have since edited the list)
The crime list, at least those for the past 15-years, is accurate. Many of them occurred when I was working for the parade. All of the victims and perps are black and all of the events happened during the summer. Problem is, none of the crimes took place at any official Caribana event!
Media should know better. While the Wikepedia Page looked incredible reliable, complete with footnotes, when you actually review the details of the news items, you see that the crimes had nothing to do with the festival. Sloppy posting or subtle racism?
Don't know. But I am finding that members of the media don't like to admit they have borrowed (with credit or research) from blind Wikepedia postings. Very slow going. Below is a letter that was sent to our former media partner, and my sometime story buyer, the Toronto Sun.

Dear Sun, your list of Caribana's past problems seems to have been lifted from an inaccurate Wikepedia posting. No worries, the Star did it too ... 24 hours before the Sun story came out.
Love or hate the festival, I feel you should deal from facts rather than from a website that is known for its errors. Let’s look at three of the items you took from Wikepedia. Since I was working for Caribana at the time of three of the incidents, I am writing out of direct knowledge.

July 31 2005- Dwayne Taylor. The murder victim, according to your competitor, The Toronto Star, was killed at 4.30 in the morning, at Dundas Square. He was, as reported in that paper as " a gun-toting drug dealer, who felt he needed a loaded firearm to protect himself against other gang members who might be armed". The Caribana Parade that year had ended at 6pm on July 30th. The shooting occurred 10-hours later and a long long way away from Lakeshore. I followed the court trial and there were no indications that that Mr. Taylor had attended the Caribana parade that year or any other year. He was in the middle of a flash street party (that was neither organized and/or sponsored by any known group in the city) that had sprung up in the downtown core.
There was violence in the Square and many other places including, as I remember, right in front of police headquarters. At the time I complained to the Sun because the Caribana name was being used not because of the location of the shooting or the festival participation of the killer but because the shooter was black and it was the weekend when the Parade ran.
As I pointed out then there were a number of other Caribbean events occurring in the city that weekend including free Soca programming at Harbourfront and the Jamaican music Irie Festival at Queen's Park and both festivals were actually closer to the Square then the Parade. Why wasn't it called the Harbourfront shooting? Or the Irie shooting or any other event shooting?
July 31,2003 A man is charged with criminal negligence after running a red light. He is found with drugs and a loaded weapon. Until the police stepped up street patrols in the Yonge / Dundas area, there has been a tradition of "hot cars" parading up and down Yonge Street on the Thursday and Friday evenings leading up to the Simcoe Day Weekend. Much like the Friday the 13th tradition of bikers going to the Simcoe region, the Thursday and Friday nights circling of Yonge/Dundas Street is a totally strange unorganized occurrence that has nothing to do with Caribana or any other group/event at all. Some of the participants are African Americans from the US.
Caribana had a footprint on the Square that year. 2003 was SARS and the festival had a grant to present A Taste of Caribana at the Square that summer - in a press release the event is described as: "A Taste of Caribana. There will be a ticket office, a Caribbean food court, arts, crafts, tourist information and entertainment". The entertainment (music and dance) ended in the late afternoon. The food tent was shut down at 11pm. I believe the car/gun incident occurred on the street many hours later. There was no indication that the man arrested had attended any Caribana events or was planning to. There was no evidence that he even actually got out of his car anywhere near Dundas Square. Beyond his ethnic background of the convicted man there was nothing to tie him in with our festival.
August 2, 1997 - Gary Newman is shot at point blank range and dies. I am not aware of this case, however, I did do some research. Mr. Newman was 22 and the police list his murder on their cold case list. http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/homicide/unsolvedcold.php. There was never a trial, so, I can't find out why you are calling this a pre-Caribana murder in that there was no Dundas Square and the parade that year was a long distance from the murder scene. How do you know he was a pre-Caribana reveler?
Finally, the Sun talks about the young man who was thrown off the Scarborough Bluff. That particular crime took place two days after the parade and in another city (you have the location wrong). Why that makes it a Caribana killing is beyond me.