So, if you hear about 'Jackson Brady' 'Eddy Cobiness', Alex Janvier, Norval Morrisseau, Daphne Odjig, Carl Ray and Joseph Sanchez, pay close attention.
Daphne Odjig created one of the most beautiful Love Scenes
I have ever seen.
Monday, August 31, 2015
THE "NEW" GROUP OF SEVEN !
Seven professional Native Canadian Artists joined forces in order to fight for the inclusion of their work in the Canadian mainstream of contemporary art.
So, if you hear about 'Jackson Brady' 'Eddy Cobiness', Alex Janvier, Norval Morrisseau, Daphne Odjig, Carl Ray and Joseph Sanchez, pay close attention.
So, if you hear about 'Jackson Brady' 'Eddy Cobiness', Alex Janvier, Norval Morrisseau, Daphne Odjig, Carl Ray and Joseph Sanchez, pay close attention.
Algonquin Park and the Group of Seven
I have known the work of “Tom
Thompson and the Group of Seven” since shortly after I arrived in
Canada.
In my innermost understanding I always
admired their work but could not quite place it into “the natural
surroundings”, into the world as I saw it.
Around 1960 I was urged by a friend,
who also happened to be the Deputy Minister of what was then called:
The "Department of Lands and Forests", to visit Ontario's largest
Provincial Nature Preserve: “Algonquin Park”. He persisted in his urging and
arranged that I should be met by the Park Superintendent,
a former bush pilot of Finish roots,
Yorki Fisker.
My friend and Yorki decided to
introduce me to Algonquin “the right way”.
They arranged for an Native of the
Algonquin tribe to be my guide over a four day canoeing trip, which
had it all.
Many lakes, connected by “portages”,
or rivers, Islands in the Lakes, on which we pitched my tent.
The guide slept, wrapped into a heavy
blanket on the ground in spite of my urgings to share the large enough tent with
me.
The first morning, when early light
showed over and through the trees, I went down to the shore to fetch
some water for our morning tea.
Then it absolutely hit me: This is
exactly what Tom Thompson, A.Y. Jackson, Franklin Carmichael, Arthur Lismer and the others of the
Group of Seven saw and what they painted. They painted the Canadian
North in all its stark beauty.
Yes, they simplified the trees
surrounding the lakes, with simple strokes of their brush they showed
us the Autumn red leaves of the Maple or the Sumach, they put before
us the gold of the Birches, the shimmering water of the brook and the
stillness of the lake.
They painted “Algonquin Park” in
all the beauty in which I perceived it this first morning on the
shores of a lake, whose name I no longer remember.
But I have never forgotten the feeling
which rose in me, which almost closed my throat and brought tears to
my unbelieving eyes.
Right then and there I fell in love
with Algonquin Park, with Canada and last but not least with the
“Group of Seven and Tom Thompson”
Bertstravels
still
thinks that this is
one
of the most beautiful corners of the world.
McMichaels Gallery
It is almost impossible for me to come to Toronto without driving the few miles to get to Kleinburg and the McMichaels Art Gallery.
It features almost exclusively Canadian Artists, beginning with "The Group of Seven", but also showing
modern Canadian artists particularly, but not exclusively Native Canadians.
At the moment there is an exhibit of a new "Group of Seven" consisting of Native Professional Artists
and are they ever beautiful.
Unfortunately, photography is not allowed in the New Group of Seven, and so I have to once more get some shots in a clandestine manner. ( I am almost ashamed... I said 'almost' )
For now we will have to be satisfied with the Original Group of Seven and Tom Thompson.
Maybe there is a bit too much of the Group of Seven
for the uninitiated ?
Well then, hurry up ! Become initiated !
Bertstravels thinks they are "the best"
It features almost exclusively Canadian Artists, beginning with "The Group of Seven", but also showing
modern Canadian artists particularly, but not exclusively Native Canadians.
At the moment there is an exhibit of a new "Group of Seven" consisting of Native Professional Artists
and are they ever beautiful.
Unfortunately, photography is not allowed in the New Group of Seven, and so I have to once more get some shots in a clandestine manner. ( I am almost ashamed... I said 'almost' )
For now we will have to be satisfied with the Original Group of Seven and Tom Thompson.
A.Y.Jackson 1882 - 1974
Lake Superior Country 1924
Franklin Carmichael 1890 - 1945
October Gold 1922
Tom Thomson 1877 - 1917
Dapple Thicket 1916
Lawren S. Harris 1885 - 1970
Pic Island 1923
Lawren S Harris
Arthur Lismer 1885 - 1969
Pine and Brook, Georgian Bay 1950
J.E.H. Mac Donald 1873 - 1932
Leaves in the Brook
Franklin Carmichael 1890 - 1945
Autumn Woods 1922
Tom Thompson 1877 - 1917
In Algonquin Park 1914
Tom Thompson
Burnt Island 1915
Tom Thompson
Autumn Woods 1915
Tom Thompson
Woodland Waterfall
Maybe there is a bit too much of the Group of Seven
for the uninitiated ?
Well then, hurry up ! Become initiated !
Bertstravels thinks they are "the best"
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Architecture - modern
Downtown Yonge Street and an architect was given free rain.
It's truly a matter of taste.
I like it !
It's truly a matter of taste.
I like it !
One of many new buildings on Yonge street.
The cladding is most interesting.
Saturday, August 29, 2015
50 Years: The Maple Leaf forever
Canada"s flag used to be the Union Jack, slightly modified.
In 1964 the then Prime Minister, Lester B. Pearson, decided that Canada needs its own distinctive Flag.
A committee was formed and the public was asked to submit their ideas.
Literally thousands of entries showed the deep interest among the citizens regarding this issue.
Finally it came down to three submissions and one of them was chosen with a small change.
The "Maple Leaf" made its first public appearance in February of 1965.
In 1964 the then Prime Minister, Lester B. Pearson, decided that Canada needs its own distinctive Flag.
A committee was formed and the public was asked to submit their ideas.
Literally thousands of entries showed the deep interest among the citizens regarding this issue.
Finally it came down to three submissions and one of them was chosen with a small change.
The "Maple Leaf" made its first public appearance in February of 1965.
From thousands of entries, these are the final three selections,
out of which came
the Maple Leaf as shown below.
Buskers
A 'Busker' is a person who performs on the streets or other public places for gratuities.
Busking may include a large variety of entertainments :
Acrobatics, Juggling, Magic, Fire eating, Sword swallowing, Balancing and many more entertaining activities.
Inevitably crowds gather, watch the performance and leave the artist a gratuity.
From Thursday, August 27 to Sunday, August 30 Toronto held the "Toronto International Busker Fest".
This year's line -up of street artists (over 170 performers and over 70 acts ) hail from across Canada, the USA, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Hungary, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Peru, Slovakia, Spain, The Netherlands, Poland and Thailand.
Last year's Busker Fest in Toronto was visited by over 1.5 Million spectators and promoters expect even more this year. The entire Festival stretches from College Street to Queens Street which effectively closes this part of Yonge Street. All along this route there are stands selling all kind of things, from "button sewing machines" to souvenirs, to a variety of foods from different countries.
Visitors make a voluntary contribution at each entrance. All proceeds are to the benefit of Toronto's Epilepsy Organisation.
Bertstravels was one of this 1.5 Million and he took these pictures:
Busking may include a large variety of entertainments :
Acrobatics, Juggling, Magic, Fire eating, Sword swallowing, Balancing and many more entertaining activities.
Inevitably crowds gather, watch the performance and leave the artist a gratuity.
From Thursday, August 27 to Sunday, August 30 Toronto held the "Toronto International Busker Fest".
This year's line -up of street artists (over 170 performers and over 70 acts ) hail from across Canada, the USA, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Hungary, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Peru, Slovakia, Spain, The Netherlands, Poland and Thailand.
Last year's Busker Fest in Toronto was visited by over 1.5 Million spectators and promoters expect even more this year. The entire Festival stretches from College Street to Queens Street which effectively closes this part of Yonge Street. All along this route there are stands selling all kind of things, from "button sewing machines" to souvenirs, to a variety of foods from different countries.
Visitors make a voluntary contribution at each entrance. All proceeds are to the benefit of Toronto's Epilepsy Organisation.
Bertstravels was one of this 1.5 Million and he took these pictures:
The Scotiabank is one of the sponsors
and the Festival is in Support of Epilepsy Toronto.
Toronto is 'cool'.
They just close off about 1.5 km
of the most important downtown street,
invite the public under the motto: Let's have some fun,
and do a good thing to boot.
Musical Groups and acrobats vie for the attention of the visitors.
On Dundas Square, huge advertising signs
"decorate" the side of new buildings.
Slapstick humor and pulling faces
is always good for a laugh.
a very talented side walk painter.
and some more jugglers.
This is what it's all about !