The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford is presenting five new exhibitions which open Sept. 27 and run until Jan. 6, 2013.
The first show, called “the heart that has no love/pain/generosity is not a heart,” takes place in the great hall and was co-created by Vancouver-based artist Jayce Salloum and Afghan-Hazara and artist Khadim Ali.
Curated by Haema Sivanesan, this multi-faceted installation comprises an archive of photographs, miniature paintings and videos which examine the aftermath of the destruction of the colossal fifth century Buddhas of the Bamiyan Valley in Central Afghanistan in 2001.
The next exhibit is “Illuminating Peace” by Edmonton artist Amy Loewan. It consists of woven banners suspended from the ceiling, complemented by a large-scale illuminated, eight-panel lantern made of woven rice paper strips that contain messages of peace.
Throughout the exhibition are similar messages in over 30 world languages, both hand-written and computer-generated, painstakingly woven into the banners.
“A Community Builder: 100 Years of reemasonry in Abbotsford” takes a closer look at the contributions of individual freemasons as well as the often misunderstood world of freemasonry.
“Just Food: Right to Food from a Faith Perspective” explores the right to food with art works from 18 contributors. Six artists from Canada, including First Nations, and 12 from other countries around the world, have each been commissioned to create two pieces of original art specifically for this exhibition. The contemporary art is woven together with text/photo panels and artifacts detailing and illustrating historic and contemporary perspectives on food issues.
In the Lobby, the Reach is presenting “Not Just A Walk In The Park,” an installation by women from the Warm Zone.
The opening reception for these five exhibits is set for 7 p.m. on Sept. 27. There are several other events also planned. They include:
- Sept. 28, at 11 a.m. Illuminating Peace exhibition tour and Pillars of Peace workshop by Amy Loewan;
- Sept. 28 at noon, curator’s talk by Haema Sivanesan on the heart that has no love/pain/generosity is not a heart;
- Sept. 29 and 30, at 1 p.m. Culture Days public programming – Illuminating Peace exhibition tour and Pillars of Peace workshop;
- Oct. 16 is World Food Day, at noon Just Food exhibition tour by James Kornelsen, Canadian Food Grains Bank and Mennonite Committee on Human Rights;
- Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. panel discussion, presented by Peace and Development Education, Mennonite Central Committee.