Carnival: the Spirit and the Soul
May 21, 2009 - October 11, 2009


Carnival: The Spirit and the Soul is a multi-media exhibition that uses theatrical narrative and the mask as an element of storytelling, common to virtually every world culture.

Many festivals based on European Carnival are seasoned with elements of indigenous Caribbean and South American culture and native African cultures during the New World’s colonial history. Where Carnival exists today, it is a rich mixture of caustic and often humourous social criticism of today’s society. From Venetian Carnival to Toronto’s Caribana, the evolution is complex but evident. In today’s multicultural Canadian society, the possibilities for the further extension of these art forms hold immense potential.

Carnival: The Spirit and The Soul link the Carnival tradition with contemporary critical practice of the contemporary artist through the medium of the mask. The contemporary artist often dons the mask of trickster or critic. Some use the mask metaphorically, others use actual masks in a more traditional way to enhance endow a character, point of view or theme with contemporary relevance.

The curators, Teodoro Dragonieri and Christopher Jackson have included a range over 200 works including carnival and theatrical masks, photography, and mixed media works. Many works relate to concepts of the mask as metaphor, transformative medium and physical object. The goal is to engage the viewer and prompt a dialogue about the evolution and continued social relevance of the Carnival tradition and its parallels with today’s artistic practice.

Works by: Mieke Bevelander, Jeffrey Chock
Paola Consiglio, Esther Dragonieri, Teodoro Dragonieri, Robert Faust, Franco Fontana Claudio Ghirardo, Heather Kent & Students of Humber College, Trish Leeper Susan Low-Beer, Robert Paquette & Students of Sheridan College, Vincenzo Pietropaolo, Michael Semak, Ras Stone

Teodoro Dragonieri, Curator/Artist
Teodoro Dragonieri is a multi-disciplinary artist and educator who has initiated, developed and co-ordinated many popular and critically acclaimed arts programs for museums, arts organizations, inner-city youth, and developmentally challenged individuals.

He has presented lectures/workshops and has exhibited extensively across North America and Europe. He is co-founder and artistic director of Zanni Arte, a company dedicated to promoting the use of masks in theatre and education.

Teodoro has worked for the National Arts Centre, Soulpepper Theatre Company’s Mentorship and Youth Outreach Programs, Theatre Ontario Adult/Youth Courses, Canadian Institute of Theatre Technology, Sears Ontario Drama Festival, Tarragon Theatre Educators/Youth Outreach Programs, Second City Theatre Company and the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Christopher Jackson, Curator

A curator, teacher and arts manager with broad experience in museums, colleges and public art galleries across Canada over the past 30 years. Jackson has curated for the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Glenbow Museum, Latcham Gallery and the Varley Art Gallery among others. His extensive teaching and lecturing has taken him across the country including McMaster University, University of Calgary, Sheridan College and Laurentian University. His previous curatorial efforts at the Varley Art Gallery were The Thornhill Circle: The Legacy of J.E.H MacDonald, A.J. Casson: Behind the Scenes, and Childhood Revisited.

RELATED PROGRAMMING

Sunday, June 7, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Special Event: Carnival of the Arts at Unionville Festival
in partnership with the Bluebridge Festival
Sunday, June 7, 2009 - 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

FREE Admission to all events & gallery exhibitions

To celebrate 40 years of the Unionville Festival, the Varley Gallery and artistic director, Brenda Muller are hosting a culturally diverse and inspired series of performances around the Varley Gallery and Toogood Pond area.

Musicians, poets and artists alike with be abuzz on the streets and Toogood trails throughout the Sunday, as well as encouraging visitors to take in Carnival: the Spirit and the Soul, the Varley Art Gallery's summer exhibition which embraces the artistic and narrative tradition that bind us all, through photographs, sculpture and mixed media artwork.

The Sunday will be a dramatic close to a weekend of events in Unionville and is the third day of festivities of the Bluebridge Festival, starting in Sutton on Friday and Newmarket on Saturday. http://www.bluebridgefestival.com

For more information contact 905-477-9511.


Sunday, June 14, 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 pm
Tea and Tour: With exhibition curator Teodoro Dragonieri

Lecture: With exhibition curator Teodoro Dragonieri Devils, Gamblers, Lovers and Fools: The Mystery & Power of the Mask

Cost: $10; Members free

Sunday, July 26, 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Today's Parent Kidsummer: Family event for kids of all ages with a range of activities, entertainment and free admission to the exhibition

Sunday, September 20, 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tea and Tour: With exhibition curator Teodoro Dragonieri

Workshop: With exhibition curator Teodoro Dragonieri Hands-on session on Mask-Building

Cost: $25; Members $15

Franco Fontana
Carrnevale di Venezia, 1985
Trish Leaper - Pride
Mixed media Franco Fontana Carrnevale

Cheryl Rego
Public Programs Co-ordinator
Varley Art Gallery
216 Main St
Unionville, ON L3R 2H1 (905) 477-9511 ext 228
www.varleygallery.ca  



Varley Fine Art Auction Thursday, May 14, 2009

Carnival: the Spirit and the Soul May 21- October 11, 2009

Purchase your Varley Fine Art Auction ticket today!

Register now for Summer Art Camps and adult workshops and lectures