Arts

 

 

Douglas Gallery
by J. Robinson

So what do breasts have to do
with life at college? Well, actually,
very little, but thought that might
get your attention. It certainly got
mine. And when you’re staring at
an acrylic painting of a nude, well,
what else are you going to talk
about—the state of global wheat
pools?

Jana Rayne MacDonald is
showing her work at the Amelia
Douglas Gallery.

What a body of work it is. The
name of the show is Short Stories,
and each painting is a story, or two.
Some of the canvasses can’t even
contain the entire tale, bleeding off
into triptyck and _ diptyck
construction.

Current art technique is moving
towards photo realism. And
MacDonald marries that realism
with the absurd: trees reminiscient
of the Group of Seven tower behind
two startlingly emotional figures,
representing ‘Daughter, Mother and
Me’; window jambs suspended
mid-air, perched behind a pregnant
nude cradled in a red rowboat. But
describing the entire show in detail
is self-defeating, the nature of
painting is that the work already

 

 

GM Place

Review by Eileen Rose

On August 31, Blue Rodeo
played at G.M. Place to a two-thirds
full stadium.

Despite low attendance, Blue
Rodeo played to enthusiastic fans.
The crowd rocked to old favorites
as well as some new material. The
performance was complemented by
the opening band, Spirit of the West.
Their upbeat, political humour
entertained and amazed. A surprise
appearance by Sarah McLachlan
rounded out an excellent night of

Short Stories

Latest showing at Amelia

exists. Lucky you, it’s just steps
away, sO go experience them on
your own.

Once again students at Douglas
have missed out on an offering of
free food and wine. This show
opened September 12. I don’t just
keep harping on this because I feel
the only thing students are missing
at Amelia Douglas Gallery
Openings is the opportunity to eat
(and get drunk) for free. I keep
mentioning this to stick a nail in
your meagre souls. In addition to
being fed, there is the cultural
nourishment aspect that you miss
when you’ re just glancing into the
gallery on your way to class.

It is difficult to get all the way
to the fourth floor. And it is even
more difficult to “just stay a
moment.” So it is totally
understandable that you may want
to stay right the heck away from
something enjoyable like talking
to the artist about her influences,
her models, her thoughts or
watching profs get pissed on local
wine.

Short Stories is on display until
October 11, so there’s still time to
intoxicate your soul with Art.

Blue Rodeo

entertainment. She sang a solo
after much coaxing from her
friends in Blue Rodeo.

Much to my surprise the Garage
provided excellent sound, similar
to that of a smaller venue. If there
is even any doubt about the sound
at G.M. Place let me dispel your
fears now, it was a great venue—
you can even drink beer in your
seats!! (If you can afford it that
Aso)

 

Underwater Sunshine

September 11
Town Pump
Review by Kim

Here’s a new band worth checking out.
They’ ve done quite a few gigs already, but
I don’t feel they’ve gotten as much publicity
as they should. These four individuals work
extremely well together, and you can tell
they’re having a lot of fun doing so.

Sunshine’s gig Sept. 11 at the Pump was
great. They were full of energy, and put
ona groovy show. They don’t move around
the stage a heckuva lot, but they sure know
how to bounce.

These young guys are CLEAN, normal-
looking guys: no make-up, no ratty clothes.
This image is quite appealing, as it is a rare
one these days.

I’m not sure exactly how to describe their
sound, as everyone hates to be categorized,
but to give you a rough idea, they’ve a sound
similar to that of The Posies. Underwater
Sunshine even did a brilliant cover of The
Posies’ “Ontario.” If you get a chance to
see these guys soon, DO! It’s impressive.

Underwater Sunshine has one CD out
presently, and I believe one in the works.

Keep an eye out in the Other Press for
their CD’s review and an interview very
soon.

 

 

 

 

The Other Press September 171996 11