UNews - Darcy Logan

Logan pulls inspiration from Norse mythology

trevor.kenney — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:19:31 +0000

Darcy Logan's newest installation, Knowing/Gnawing, in the Helen Christou Gallery, presents his most recent paintings alongside a selection of works from the U of L collection, which provide context and inspiration for his art practice.

"The works are by Canadian artists including Alan Harding MacKay, Rebecca Anweiler, Renee Van Halm, William MacDonnell and Jerome Witvleit," says Logan, who earned his Bachelor of Fine arts in Art at the U of L in 2002 and is the curator at the Bowman Arts Centre.

"I wanted the exhibition to be about bodies of artistic work."

In addition to paintings, Logan also included a set of nine altered encyclopedias, which were made specifically for this exhibition, to work conjointly with the MacKay books as a way to 'read' the exhibition.

"It was important to have this reading mediated not by traditional didactics, but by altered books as re-contextualized bodies of knowledge," says Logan. "My current body of work, entitled Know/Gnaw/Naglfar, uses myth as a metaphor to explore the nature of knowledge and ideas.

"In Scandinavian mythology, the Naglfar is a ship being constructed in the underworld and the name is Old Norse for "nail ferry," which speaks to the rivets that hold the planks together, and a description of its mythic purpose."

It seems the building materials for this ship are the fingernails and toenails of the dead, the detritus of the body.

"When enough discordant people have died and the necessary amount of raw material gathered, the ship will be completed, freed from its moorings, and carry the forces of chaos to ensure the end of the world," he says. "This story provoked a string of associations for me, and gave me pause to reflect on how knowledge and ideologies are defined and constructed, and, ultimately, the consequences that follow in their wake. These are often disastrous, and result from the excesses of philosophical and ideological certainty, or the dangerous limits of knowledge."

In keeping with the myth, Logan's works contain human fingernails and toenails, embedded in the paint.

"My works are as much assemblages as they are paintings," he says. "I use layers of encrusted earth, resins and rusting agents to create the finished pieces. I often carve into the drying mud, leaving parts depressed and others in high relief. I am interested in compositional tension and attempt to explore and exploit normally incongruous elements on the canvas."

These elements can be the tensions between the thick, matte appearance of the mud and the thin reflective quality of resin, the tension between illusionist representation and passages of implied abstract space, or the tension between the modern and primitive nature of the materials.

Knowing/Gnawing is in the Helen Christou Gallery until Jan. 3, 2010.

Events Calendar - November

trevor.kenney — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:12:30 +0000

Pronghorn Athletics

Men's Hockey

Nov. 13-14 | Alberta vs. Pronghorns
7 p.m. nightly, Nicholas Sheran Arena

Nov. 27-28 | Alberta vs. Pronghorns
7 p.m. nightly, Nicholas Sheran Arena

Women's Hockey

Nov. 20-21 | Manitoba vs. Pronghorns
7 p.m. nightly, Nicholas Sheran Arena

Basketball

Nov. 6-7 | Regina vs. Pronghorns
Women's game, 6 p.m.; Men's game, 8 p.m. nightly, 1st Choice Savings Centre gym

Nov. 13 | Trinity Western vs. Pronghorns
Women's game, 6 p.m.; Men's game, 8 p.m., 1st Choice Savings Centre gym
Nov. 14 | Fraser Valley vs. Pronghorns
Women's game, 6 p.m.; Men's game, 8 p.m., 1st Choice Savings Centre gym

Nov. 20-21 | Manitoba vs. Pronghorns
Women's game, 6 p.m.; Men's game, 8 p.m. nightly, 1st Choice Savings Centre gym

Lectures

Nov. 4 | Art Now: Vancouver artist Isobelle Pauwels | Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Nov. 5 | What I've Learned about being Human from Studying . . .
Lecture Series | Organizations: How Collectives Shape Who We Are and What We Do | Dr. Janelle Enns Gordon, Management, U of L
7 p.m., Lethbridge Public Library

Nov. 6 | Art Now: Dana Claxton
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Nov. 9 | Art Now: Cameron Bailey
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Nov. 9 | Architecture & Design Now: Toronto architect Stephen Teeple
6 p.m., C610

Nov. 12 | What I've Learned about being Human from Studying . . . Lecture Series | Canadian and Northwest Coast Native Art: Sometimes It's Necessary to Trespass Borders | Dr. Les Dawn, Art, U of L
7 p.m., Lethbridge Public Library

Nov. 16 | Architecture & Design Now: Toronto architect Ian MacDonald | 6 p.m., C610

Nov. 17 | Women Scholars Speaker Series – Deborah MacLatchy
From Lab Coat to Business Suit: Perspectives on Science and Academic Administration
12 noon to 2 p.m., AH100

Nov. 18 | Aboriginal Speakers Forum – Sharon Goulet | The Power of Stories in Aboriginal Research
9:30 to 11 a.m., B716

Nov. 18 | Art Now: Tor Lukasik-Foss
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Nov. 20 | Art Now: Tricia Middleton
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Nov. 23 | Art Now: Kathryn Walter
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Nov. 23 | Architecture & Design Now: Kathryn Walter
6 p.m., C610

Nov. 25 | Art Now: Rebecca Miller
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Nov. 27 | Art Now: Montreal painter Etienne Zack | Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Nov. 30 | Architecture & Design Now: Esther Shipman
6 p.m., C610

Performances

Nov. 5-7 | Positive Space by Ian McFarlane | A unique performance exploring various aspects of theatre
8 p.m. nightly, David Spinks Theatre. Matinee, 2 p.m., Nov. 7

Nov. 7 | Dale Ketcheson & Friends
Classical guitar from U of L music professor Dale Ketcheson
8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall

Nov. 10 | Music at Noon: Gerard Gibb (oboe), Sarah Gieck (flute), Margaret Mezei (clarinet), Glen Montgomery (piano) | 12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Nov. 17 | Music at Noon: Musaeus String Quartet with Jesse Plessis (piano) | 12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Nov. 23 | Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra | With special guests and U of L music majors Matthew Blackburn (piano) and arranger Jesse Plessis | 8 p.m., Southminster Church

Nov. 24 | Music at Noon: Arthur Rowe (piano) | 12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Nov. 24-28 | Festen by David Eldridge | A time of celebration is undermined by revelations that pierce and destroy the veneer of middle-class respectability
Nightly, 8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre

Nov. 27 | Wind and Song
Featuring U of L Wind Orchestra and Vox Musica | 8 p.m., Southminster Church

Nov. 28 | Season of Joy
With the U of L Singers and Women's Chorus | 8 p.m., Southminster Church

Dec. 1 | Music at Noon: Dr. Brian Shaw (trumpet) | 12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Miscellaneous

Nov. 3 | Keys to Living Well – Student Workshop | The Road to Happiness – how to buffer yourself against stress and depression | 12:30 to 1:20 p.m., AH119

Nov. 6 to Jan. 8, 2010 | To Mark on Surface | Dana Claxton new video installation | U of L Main Gallery
Opening reception, 4 p.m., Nov. 6

Nov. 12 to 14 | Darwin Symposium
International Symposium on Darwinism

Nov. 17-21 | The Monotheatrum
Hamilton artist Tor Lukasik-Foss creates a performance space for a single musician | U of L Atrium

Nov. 21 | Culture Vulture Saturday
Luck of the Draw – Colour by Numbers | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., U of L Main Gallery

Through Jan. 3, 2010 | art + people = x continues | Darcy Logan presents recent paintings | Helen Christou Gallery | Opening Reception, 4 p.m., Nov. 6

Events - October

trevor.kenney — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:51:25 +0000

Pronghorn Athletics

Soccer

Oct. 24 | Victoria vs. Pronghorns
Women, 12 p.m.; Men, 2 p.m. at Stadium

Oct. 25 | Fraser Valley vs. Pronghorns | Women, 12 p.m.; Men, 2 p.m. at Stadium

Oct. 31 | Trinity Western vs. Pronghorns | Men, 2 p.m. at Stadium

Nov. 1 | UBC vs. Pronghorns
Men, 2 p.m. at Stadium

Women's Rugby

Oct. 18 | Alberta vs. Pronghorns
3 p.m. at Stadium

Men's Hockey

Oct. 15 | Calgary vs. Pronghorns
7 p.m. at Nicholas Sheran Arena

Oct. 23-24 | UBC vs. Pronghorns
Nightly, 7 p.m. at Nicholas Sheran Arena

Women's Hockey

Oct. 16-17 | Regina vs. Pronghorns
Nightly, 7 p.m. at Nicholas Sheran Arena

Oct. 30-31 | Saskatchewan vs. Pronghorns | Nightly, 7 p.m. at Nicholas Sheran Arena

Lectures

Oct. 8 | CAETL Workshop
Preparing a Lecture: A Graduate Student Workshop | 3 p.m., L950

Oct. 14 | Art Now: Tracey Deer
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Oct. 15 | CAETL Fall 2009 Seminar Series | Making the Supervisory Experience Successful | 12 p.m., AH100

Oct. 16 | Women Scholars Speaker Series | Dr. Bonnie K. Lee presents: Couple Relationship: A Healing Nexus for Addiction | 3 p.m., AH100

Oct. 19 | Architecture & Design Now: Bo Helliwell | 6 p.m., C610

Oct. 23 | Art Now: Susanna Heller
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Oct. 26 | Art Now: Chris Moore
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Oct. 26 | Architecture & Design Now: Michael Green | 6 p.m., C610

Oct. 28 | Art Now: Cheryl L'Hirondelle | Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Oct. 30 | Art Now: Christine D'Onofrio | Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Nov. 2 | Art Now: Shawn Van Sluys
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570
Architecture & Design Now, 6 p.m., C610

Nov. 6 | Art Now: Dana Claxton
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Performances

Oct. 13 | Music at Noon: Dr. Terrence Dawson (piano) & Joanne Collier (soprano) | 12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Oct. 20 | Music at Noon: Glen Montgomery (piano) | 12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Oct. 27 | Music at Noon: Dr. David Renter (saxophone) & Elinor Lawson (piano) | 12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Nov. 3 | Music at Noon: Joanne Hounsell (soprano) & Glen Montgomery (piano) | 12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Oct. 20-24 | Hay Fever by Noel Coward | A comedy about an eccentric family whose theatrical excesses torment their unsuspecting visitors | Nightly, 8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre

Oct. 23-24 | Opera Goes to the Movies | U of L Opera Workshop performs Hollywood movie classics
Nightly, 8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Oct. 30 | Breakdance for Solo Cello
Montreal's Solid State Breakdance company performs | 8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre

Nov. 5-7 | Positive Space by Ian McFarlane | A collective creation exploring various aspects of theatre
Nightly, 8 p.m., David Spinks Theatre. Matinee, 2 p.m., Nov. 7

Miscellaneous

Oct. 9 | Town Hall Meeting
Budgetary Issues at the U of L
1 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre

Oct. 14 | Academic Success! Student Workshop | Writing a Research Paper – the tools for writing a solid paper | 3 p.m., AH118

Through Oct. 23 | Head Shots
Art Gallery exhibit featuring portraits by Canadian and international artists, drawn from the U of L's extensive holdings
Helen Christou Gallery

Oct. 27 | Keys to Living Well, Workshop for Students
How to Deal with Annoying People & Make Sure You're Not One
12:30 p.m., AH119

Through Oct. 30 | Allyson Mitchell: Ladies Sasquatch | Freestanding, figurative, sculptural works by Toronto-based artist Allyson Mitchell
U of L Main Gallery

Nov. 3 | Keys to Living Well, Workshop for Students
The Road to Happiness
12:30 p.m., AH119

Oct. 30 to Jan. 3, 2010
art + people = x continues
Darcy Logan presents recent paintings | Helen Christou Gallery
Reception: 4 p.m., Nov. 6

UNews - Darcy Logan

Logan pulls inspiration from Norse mythology

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Events Calendar - November

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Events - October

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