WATERSHED+: Dynamic Environment Lab

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Contemporary Calgary, "Dynamic Environment,"

The Dynamic Environment Lab (DE Lab), part of The City of Calgary’s WATERSHED+ Public Art Program, immersed five artists in the Utilities and Environmental Protection (UEP) Department, to explore the impacts of living in our continuously shifting, dynamic environment – a watershed that experiences both drought and flood. This issues-based lab nurtured connections between artists, subject matter experts, and the local arts community, encouraged critical thinking and supported a mutually beneficial exchange of perspective.  

In partnership with the City of Calgary, Contemporary Calgary is pleased to showcase the work of Steve Gurysh, Tim Knowles, Becky Shaw, Stokley Towles and Peter Von Tiesenhausen, through an exhibition and multiple public art events running September 26-28, 2019.

Embedding artists in a hidden, yet integral City system has provoked new ideas and dialogues, changing how Public Art is created and perceived in our City. Join WATERSHED+ Lead Artists, Sans façon, along with all five DE Lab artists for an intimate and illuminating discussion, delving into the history and creation of the project, and the artists’ experiences working within the City of Calgary. Moderated by amery Calvelli, this discussion intends to showcase the success and challenges of The Dynamic Environment Lab as part of WATERSHED+, and how the program has affected the direction of public art in Calgary.

Following the discussion, please join the panelists for an opening reception of the exhibit DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT. A selection of works from the DE Lab artists, on view until January 2020, speaks to the vast scope of the Utilities and Environmental Protection Department, the employees who maintain our crucial infrastructure, and the intimate connections art can create between Citizen and City.

Contemporary Calgary, 701 Eleventh Street SW

6:00PM - Panel Discussion

7.00PM - Reception with the Artists

PIT-FIRING: STEVE GURYSH, PARTS PER TRILLION: Friday, September 27, 9AM⁠— Join DE Lab artist Steve Gurysh as he completes his art work Parts Per Trillion. Gurysh’s all-day event will start off at 9:00 AM in Edworthy Park. Watch the pit-firing process begin as the artist fills the fire pit with his 3D printed ceramics and kindling and lights the fire that will, over the course of the day, harden the ceramics and produce his finished work. At 10:30 AM, after the fire gets roaring, the artist will present a short artist talk and Q&A. Steve will be on-site all day to tend to the embers. Stop by at any time to learn more about the artist’s process and the Dynamic Environment Lab project. RSVP not essential.

ARTIST TALK: TIM KNOWLES, FLOW PATHS

Friday, September 27, 1PM⁠—Stop by Contemporary Calgary for an Artist Talk with DE Lab artist Tim Knowles and take in the Dynamic Environment exhibition. Through his work with the Lab, Knowles has been working closely with the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and the people who have been working to restore and rehabilitate the natural habitats damaged by the 2013 flood. He will be speaking about how this relationship has helped form his artwork and how he has been able to work as an artist on design elements for the upcoming Inglewood Bird Sanctuary Reconstruction Project. RSVP not essential.

PERFORMANCE: STOKLEY TOWLES, SURFING UNDERGROUND

Friday, September 27, 6PM - 8PM—Join DE Lab Artist Stokley Towles for a performance at Contemporary Calgary in the auditorium. Towles has worked within a variety of City Services across North America. In his performance work, Stokley incorporates stories, images and artifacts from the underground world of Calgary’s Water Services employees to create an immersive experience for his audiences. Connecting viewers to the people behind our infrastructure, Stokley showcases the importance and intrigue of our often hidden city systems. Following the performance, join the artist in the gallery space to learn more about his experience within the project. RSVP not essential.

PUBLIC ART TOUR: BECKY SHAW, HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE?

Saturday, September 28, 10AM⁠ - 12PM & 1PM - 3PM—Join DE Lab artist Becky Shaw on a guided two hour tour and interactive performance, listening to the water infrastructure using analogue geophones. By experiencing infrastructure above and below the ground, through the intimate experience of listening for leaks, Becky invites participants to think about the way individuals and infrastructure are connected. The tour starts at Contemporary Calgary (701 Eleventh Street SW) and visits neighbourhood locations by bus. All are welcome, including children. Tour will be conducted in English. Please wear clothing appropriate for the weather, especially sturdy footwear as there will be a small amount of walking and standing.