2007 Annual Report Mendel Art Gallery

GALLERY INTERPRETIVES
This program incorporates self-directed, informal
material that enriches or expands on exhibition content
and is intended for the casual visitor.
Public and Professional Programs
the space between/The Reading Room
Installed in Gallery II, the space between/The Reading
Room is an interpretive site situated at the centre of
our main gallery spaces that further develop themes in
the current exhibitions. Designed to engage the casual
visitor, the site provides extensive information including
handouts, brochures, self-guided tour pamphlets,
tapes, wall quotes, and extended labels. This site is
also used to display art works from our permanent
collection that relate to the other exhibitions, providing
a context for our visitors. During 2007 Gallery II was
used extensively as an exhibition space. From January–
March and March–June, Gallery II was used for the
series of exhibitions entitled Articulation. In the June–
August show period Gallery II was used as part of the
British Drawings from the National Gallery of Canada
exhibition.
September–January 2008: Grow Up or Blow Up
This installation of the space between featured a
rare look at illustrative work done by Ernest Lindner.
Completed for John McNaughton’s 1948 book “Man”
Jungle-wise and Otherwise, Lindner’s illustrations are
a visual interpretation of man’s history of success and
the “new” challenge of that era: impending nuclear war.
At once intriguing and bizarre, these drawings—from
the Mendel’s Permanent Collection—are situated
well outside of Lindner’s well-known oeuvre and were
presented in this exhibition as a timely reminder of the
fragility of humanity.
studioXPRESS
studioXPRESS provides an opportunity for visitors
to explore art media and concepts raised by current
Mendel exhibitions, in a studio environment. Selfdirected
activities take place in our studio, and are
open to the public all day everyday whenever there are
no tours or other programs taking place. Materials are
provided, along with instructions and inspiration. In
2007 studioXPRESS was sponsored by Dr. Robert and
Lura Mae Sider.
Mendel Art Gallery 2007 Annual Report
Ernest Lindner, New Horizons, 1948, charcoal on paper. Collection of the Mendel Art
Gallery. Gift of Judy McNaughton. Photo: Eve Kotyk.
January 19–April 2: Reloading the Canon (blood on
snow, Consecrated Medicine, Containment)
Visitors were encouraged to think about art histories
that have often been neglected or omitted from a
Eurocentric art canon, such as First Nations art history
and craft as art. Activities for this installation included
learning about the key figures in First Nations art
history and contemporary art through books, a wall
of honour featuring Aboriginal artists, and a DVD on
contemporary artist Michael Hosaluk. Other activities
included flip books, props, and costume items for
visitors to ‘dress up’ a Hosaluk chair and feedback on
some of the dichotomies and questions surrounding the
value of art and craft today through a talk-back bulletin
board.
April 13–June 3: Re-Collection (Lasting Impressions)
The audience expanded the Canadian art history canon
by exploring key moments in Canadian history through
an illustrated timeline. Activities included several
films on Canadian artists and art movements, and
three stations which invited the public to create their
own impressionist, social realist, or post-impressionist
masterpiece, just like the artists of Lasting Impressions
who were inspired by these movements and others. The
Wall of Honour from the previous installation period
was left up as it suited this discussion of Canadian Art
History.
June 15–August 26: bohoXPRESS (British Drawings,
Drawing Inspiration from the Pre-Raphaelites)
This installation of studioXPRESS focused on the
Pre-Raphaelites, the neo-medieval realm of the Pre-
Raphaelite Brotherhood, and bohemian life in England
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