Something bazaar
Susan Johnston
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The Art Bazaar gang
photo: David Emery
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A fusion of varying art forms for one sumptuous three-day feast
"It's all about uniting different scenes in Ottawa," says poet David Emery, enthusing about the three-night buffet of music and creativity booked for Arts Court Theatre this weekend. "By 'scenes' I mean audiences and artists of different artistic disciplines." Emery is certainly onto something. The Ottawa Art Bazaar's lineup presents a decent challenge to anyone still struggling to understand the growing fusion within Ottawa's local arts scene.
No stranger to events crossing multiple practices, genres and forms, Emery and artist Kathryn Jetté were behind three Synaesthesia events in the past couple of years. For the Ottawa Art Bazaar, Emery says, "We wanted to do something a little bit bigger, something more closely resembling a festival."
Local musical acts - Glenn Nuotio and the Bear Claps - mix with bands from further afield: Texans Peter And The Wolf, Montreal's The Luyas (some of whom also perform with Arcade Fire), and Jonas Bonnetta from Peterborough.
Still, Emery's plan is to give audiences something other than what they might expect. "Everyone is already comfortable doing what they are doing, but I think people need to be made a bit more uncomfortable."
So in addition to the bands, the Bazaar will feature spoken word performances by Ottawa's Capital Slam team, live theatre by Gruppo Rubato co-founder Tania Levy, and a panel that includes representatives from Ottawa's small community presses (Dusty Owl, above/ground, In/Words, Bywords, and The Puritan) who will speak about
the local publishing scene. In addition, poet and local publisher Rob McLennan will give a farewell talk. The lounge next to the theatre will be set up as a gallery where Scott Birdwise, a video artist who is behind the former Judges, Juries and Executioners events, will showcase his work. In addition, a number of artists, including Carly Smith, Rick Hancox, Von Allan, Tara Jones, Jennie MacDonald and Kathryn Jetté, will display their works, some of which will be for sale.
The Art Bazaar is one of a growing number of local cross-disciplinary events, each in its own particular stage of evolution. From newer events (Ravenswing DIY Fair) to the more established ones (Spins & Needles and Westfest), local artists and performers are collaborating to create their own forms of fusion.
The Ottawa Art Bazaar takes place from Thursday, August 9 to August 11, from 6-11 p.m. Tickets are $10 for one night or $15 for all three days. For more info, visit www.ottawaart.ca.
XXXWhile I'm on the topic of interdisciplinary approaches, new works by Marysol Foucault will be on display at The Attic (203 Dalhousie) through September 7. The exhibition Stories Whispered in My Ear features glass domes and paintings. The vernissage, featuring music by Phil Goldsmith, takes place on Friday, August 10, 7-10 p.m.
