Critical Writing Index

Art Given Social Voice: Six artists probe experiences and images

by Nancy Tousley

Calgary Herald, Jan. 23 Winter, 1988

This review examines the exhibition Striving for ideal resolution, which was timed to coincide with the Calgary Winter Olympics and focuses on how artists and athletes are made into heroes.

As part of the Olympic Arts Festival, Striving for the Ideal Resolution, curated by Donna McAlear, seeks to demystify the assumption that artists, like athletes, are heroic or exist outside the norms of daily life. This show attempts to replace the ‘artist-as-hero-or-genius’ ideal by pointing at “today’s process- oriented and socially engaged art.” Works by Ken Lum, Mary Scott, Martha Townsend, Douglas Back, Lisa Steele and Kim Tomczak are featured.

ITEM 1988.026 – available for viewing in the Research Centre

Videos, Artworks and Artists Cited

Historical PortraitsKen Lum

Imago (V) red ((who isn't there))Mary Scott

In LinkMartha Townsend

PoolMartha Townsend

GardenMartha Townsend

The Angel (Part 3)Douglas Back

Small Artists Pushing TechnologyDouglas Back

White DawnLisa Steele

Private EyesLisa Steele

White DawnKim Tomczak

Private EyesKim Tomczak