For literally tens of thousands of years, people have been capturing their thoughts, feelings and ideas in sculpture.
From the 36,000-year-old pinkie-sized mammoth ivory figurine of a fertile woman, found in Germany, to the Sphinx in Egypt, the marble statues of Michelangelo, the bronze depictions of Hindu gods, and even the modern art outside the Chapel Gallery, sculpture has given insight into different cultures and ideologies.
This summer, the fourth North Battleford Sculpture Symposium will pay homage to this timeless and evolving art form, as artists from across Saskatchewan gather to learn, create and connect.
Since 2005, the symposiums have been held every two years in summer. Typically, between seven and 12 artists are sponsored at each symposium to create large-scale sculptures over the course of 10 days.
Unfortunately, SaskPower, who funds the symposiums, has made cuts to their cultural program funding, so there won't be the budget this year for such production, although SaskPower will still be sponsoring the symposium.
Instead, Marcus Miller, director of galleries, said the event will be reduced to six days, Aug. 22 to 27, and although the first five days will still involve hands-on production, the focus will be on the panel presentations and discussions held on the final day of the symposium.
"What I'm really interested in and what I can support this year is a discursive presentation," said Miller.
So, he is sending out a call for Saskatchewan "artists, writers and dreamers" to propose 30-minute presentations for moderated panel discussions.
The topic for the panels is as follows:
"Sculpture is big. Even when it's not big, it's heavy. It takes up space - bodily space. Its materiality has always given it a special relation to the real. Illusion doesn't come to it as easily as with painting. Today, mechanical reproduction and digitization dissolve our accepted notion of things, and at the same time we overwhelm the world with waste-things. What does the sculptural object look like in 2011?"
Those interested are required to send a short written synopsis of their proposals, including what audio or visual aids they will be using, as well as their contact information and short biography to Miller at sapp@accesscomm.ca by June 1.
For more information, visit www.chapelgallery.ca, and click on the Newsletter link on the left hand side, or call the Allen Sapp Gallery at 445-1760. Applicants must be Saskatchewan residents.
Miller explained five applicants will be selected to present alongside the feature artist, Tyler Brett.
Brett, who has earned a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Saskatchewan, has had a number of exhibitions across Canada. Currently based in Bruno, Brett decided to make the move from bustling Vancouver to rural Saskatchewan after attending his cousin's wedding in Dana, and discovering how affordable the prairies could be.
Together with a friend, Brett, who is also a musician, bought a small store with living quarters, and opened a music venue/art shop/café. Located next door to a senior citizens' centre, the store is called All Citizens.
Brett was also instrumental in the conversion of an old bank building into an artist residency and gallery, and has made the idea of rural artistry work.
In the five days leading up to the concluding panel discussions and dinner, Brett will be working with the participating local and visiting artists, facilitating a public workshop, and providing the "thematic inspiration for the symposium as a whole," said Miller.
