By Staff
June 24, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
WHAT: The Naked Craft Network is an international research project that brings together the best of contemporary Canadian and Scottish craft. and the general public to discuss the themes explored throughout the Naked Craft Project, and to look forward to the future of craft.
Saturday – 10 to 4 – Naked Artists take over the AGB.
WHEN and WHERE: Saturday, June 27, 2015 from 10am – 5pm at the Art Gallery of Burlington
The word Naked certainly caught my attention. Tell me more.
Speakers
Denis Longchamps – curator at the AGB will be speaking at the symposium
• Dr. Sandra Alfoldy, Professor of Craft History at Nova Scotia College of Art & Design (NSCAD) University and Associate Curator of Fine Craft at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
• Dr. Denis Longchamps, Chief Curator, Art Gallery of Burlington
• Aaron Nelson, Associate Director, Medalta Museum
• Emma Quin, CEO, Craft Canada
• Dr. Heather Read, Postdoctoral Fellow, Ryerson University
• Dr. Susan Surette, Postdoctoral Fellow, NSCAD University
• Arno Verhoeven, Lecturer, University of Edinburgh School of Design and Sr. Tutor at the Edinburgh College of Art
Artists
• Jeanette Sendler (Scotland) – Hat maker, costume design and fibre artist, Sendler’s interest in costume design developed into performance art featuring large-‐scale installations, rendered in knit/felt on paper.
• Beth Legg (Scotland) -‐ An artist from the Highlands of Scotland, her practice is concerned with landscape, memory and the language of materials. Her work as a precious metalsmith has been included in numerous international publications.
• Aaron Nelson (Canada) – In addition to an active studio practice, Aaron is the Associate Director at Medalta in Medicine Hat, Alberta. This position has allowed him to develop relationships with a regional, national and international community of makers, and thus contextualize the diversity of contemporary approaches to ceramic practice.
• Other Artists: Sarah Alford, Jennifer Cantwell, Caroline Dear, Amanda McCavour, Kevin Andrew Morris, Clint Neufeld and Kari Woo
A John Willard quilt part of a recent show at the Art Gallery of Burlington
Naked Craft Symposium Event Schedule
AM
9:00 to 10:00: Registration and complimentary continental breakfast 10:00 to 10:10 Welcoming remarks
Robert Steven, CEO and President of the Art Gallery of Burlington 10:10 to 11:00 North and Identity panel
Presenter and moderator: Heather Read
Participants: Kari Woo, Amanda McCavour, Beth Legg and Kevin Andrew Morris 11:00 to 11:20 Pause
11:20 to 12:10 Tradition and Craft panel
Presenter and moderator: Susan Surette
Participants: Sarah Alford, Jennifer Cantwell, Caroline Dear, Jeanette Sendler and Clint Neufeld
PM
12:10 to 1:00 Complimentary buffet lunch
Naked Craft in Discussion
*Speakers & Artists available for interviews 1:00 to 1:20 New Positions, Denis Longchamps
1:20 to 1:40 Tooling up, Aaron Nelson
1:40 to 2:00 DIY (Do-‐It-‐Yourself), Sandra Alfoldy
2:00 to 2:30 Moderated discussion
Moderators: Heather Read and Susan Surette
2:30 to 2:50 Pause
3:00 to 4:00 Keynote: Making MAKING Matter, Aaron Nelson 4:00 to 4:15 Question period
4:15 to 4:30 Closing remarks, Emma Quin, CEO Craft Ontario 5:00 to 7:00 Official opening of Naked Craft
Curators: Sandra Alfoldy, Denis Longchamps, Juliette MacDonald, Emma Quin, Arno Verhoeven
Up to this point I still didn’t know much about what was taking place over at the Art Gallery – needed to do a little research to bring myself up to speed as it were on what the artists are up to these days.
Naked Craft is designed to be playful in how it engages a public audience; at a time in popular culture when the words “handcrafted” and “artisanal” are the “it” words of marketing houses, attention must be redirected back to craft itself. Craft is a sexy word, and Naked Craft intends to show the viewer just how sexy craft itself can be. Naked Craft examines craft practice through the four main themes: New Positions; Down and Dirty: politics and materials; DIY; and Tooling up: new technologies and economies.
Naked Craft looks to contribute towards a better understanding of continuity and change within the discipline. It is evident that despite the cultural diversity and obstacles that influence craft making in Canada, in Scotland, and around the world, there are many similarities and shared values that influence the craft sector. In Canada we’re putting forth a concerted effort toward public outreach and new ways of presenting craft to audiences as diverse as the communities of craft makers whom we support. With an increase in the awareness of contemporary craft and an understanding of its value, comes the potential of increased sales, consumption, recognition and promotion for both makers and their objects. As such, both the individuals creating craft as well as those consuming it are rewarded with culturally enriching experiences, which support the local economy and encourage a focus on high-quality craft objects that are lasting and well made.
Naked Craft has spanned almost four years of research in two countries and includes two workshop/residencies, three symposiums, a touring exhibition and a publication. The NCN is interested in broadly developing a better understanding of the relationships between the identities that are inherently attributed to geopolitical regions of practice, and the reciprocal role that the material production of craft plays in building, maintaining and disseminating these identities in a global arena of commerce and culture in the future.
Oh – so they aren’t running around the grounds stark naked – nope they are just doing craft stuff with a newer, sexier name.
