A Modern Cult of Monuments
Colin Lyons
Exhibition Dates
Oct 14, 2016 – Nov 26, 2016
Opening Reception: Friday, October 14th
7–9pm
Artist Talk Friday, October 14, 6pm
Why is our first instinct to polish the concrete and grind off the rust, effectively cleansing a space of its industrial heritage? A Modern Cult of Monuments attempts to grapple with this question by considering planned obsolescence and the nature of historical preservation efforts. Fusing printmaking, sculpture, video, and chemical experiments, this project reintroduces the evidence of labour into the restoration process: the act of polishing bringing a sharpened awareness to the work that was once performed with these fragments. These absurdly inefficient processes evoke an alchemical creation of time, memory, and historical aura.
About SNAP
The Society of Northern Alberta Print-artists (SNAP) is a not-for-profit, artist-run centre, and a registered charity (Registration No. 12293 0019 RR0001) incorporated under the Societies Act of Alberta. Since its inception in 1982, SNAP has grown to become one of Canada’s premier centres for research and innovation in printmaking as well as providing a unique forum for discussion and examination of critical and theoretical issues related to printmaking and image culture.
As a print production and exhibition centre, SNAP is unique in Alberta, and exceptional in Canada.
SNAP is dedicated to the promotion of both traditional and experimental printmaking practices including prints, artists’ books, posters and print-based installation as well as new, experimental and hybrid forms. To achieve these goals the Society maintains a permanent, dedicated space including a gallery and printmaking studio, and provides a comprehensive range of programming including: exhibitions (CARFAC fees are paid to exhibiting artists), classes, workshops, lectures, mentorships, artists’ residencies and publishing. Programming for exhibitions and education is reviewed and revised periodically to keep pace with new developments in the field and to better serve SNAP’s diverse constituency, which includes the many individuals and groups from all backgrounds and levels of experience who take courses and attend exhibitions at SNAP, practicing professional print-artists, schools, high-risk youth groups and more.