It occured to me, watching groups of people walking around downtown Halifax enjoying Nocturne, why people don’t vote in elections (and why there was little enthusiasm for any of our leadership candidates, federal or municipal)—there’s no real engagement with other people, with our senses, and our need for beauty, vision and creativity, or the unexpected. I suppose politics is like going to the dentist, really (I’ll stick to the arts, thanks). With people so disengaged with our political system and anxiously watching their mutual funds plummet, Nocturne couldn’t have come at a better time.
The city had an energy that I haven’t witnessed before. Even leaving Nocturne for awhile to go see Daniel Lanois, and then coming back downtown at around 11:30pm, people were still consulting maps, waiting for buses and packing the Khyber for a final performance by Lisa Lipton. According to Tonia Di Risio at Anna Leonowens, her staff clicked in over 2,000 people–the most the gallery has ever seen in one day.
Originally I admit I thought it was “typical Halifax” to not have the event go all night, like Nuit Blanche in other cities, but turns out midnight was just fine to wrap things up, and still feel like you had a full night. Next year (I hope there’s a next year! Is that too bold?), it would be great to see other areas animated, in particular, the Common and the Public Gardens. Everyone involved in putting together last night should be proud. Hopefully you’re catching up on well-deserved sleep today.
Here are just a few highlights:
Adriana Kuiper‘s Capsule temporary shelter at Dal campus, made out of PVC pipe, wood and metal. It was a bit hard to find, so I hope you made the effort–it’s totally worth it.
A detail of the shelter–there’s a peephole and mailboxes for the residents.
My lovely model tests out the architectural installation outside the Dal planning & architecture centre. I don’t think it was supposed to be one of those executive toys, but people will see what they want.
Inside the centre, the place was jammed with people creating a cardboard vision of Halifax. New mayor and council take note: the people have spoken. Gotta love whoever made the tall towers though–you know what they say about guys with tall towers…
YOung COmpany dancers take a short break.
Suzanne Caines‘ Door Knocking. I wish you could hear the giant BANG, BANG. If you checked out the hockey and art show earlier this year at the AGNS, you might remember Caines’ video of cheering on the Mooseheads, while living in a small French village. She has a show coming up at MSVU Gallery, so don’t miss it.
Scott Saunders & Nikolai Gauer‘s video projection. Saunders isn’t new to projecting a vision onto Barrington: A couple of years ago, when he was working at Chives, he set up a camera in the kitchen (Chives doesn’t have any street windows) and projected it outside. Chives has now permanently adopted a smaller version in its entranceway.
Crowds admire The Loop’s spinners. Not often is knitting an audience sport.
I have an Armstrong Fox scarf, but I want them to make me one like this that lights up.
Speaking of lighting up a room, Sherry Jollymore‘s EL outfit, modelled by Heather, didn’t make it out to the street until late, but that’s OK. It’s so much fun–there’s a battery pack where you can change colours and speeds. It’s like wearing a disco party.
HHAHAHAHAA. Funniest gallery opening photo ever!! As if their printmaking couldn’t get any finer, Yo Rodeo goes 3D. I have my eye on Softopolis, which is classic Yo Rodeo–raccoons, spirals and skyscrapers–awesome. Seth is off today to New York to mix the next Dog Day album with John Agnello, who’s worked with Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr.,The Hold Steady and Cindy Lauper, and Paul is all over Pop Explosion with 6015 Willow. Get some talent already. Gheesh.
Kids’ songs on the bus. And they’re not even drunk. When I lived in Toronto, the 24-hour Yonge line (vomit comet) used to get a lot of singing too, but not so sweet.
My cover guy, David Harper‘s embroidered fly papers. Did you know he won the Mayor’s first emerging artist award on Friday? Why yes he did.
Heather Keeling‘s ceramic menagerie. I wanted to take this little guy home, but he already has a red dot. But you should go check them out–her bats, hanging upside down off the wall, are the first bat replicas to not send me into a panic attack.
Some guy did a bunch of 3-minute video portraits of important people. I think his name is Warhol…
Lisa Lipton‘s performance at the Khyber, composed by Will Robinson. It was jam-packed, but the music was captivating. It was not a good time to check out the installation though, and the video wasn’t on, so I will have to come back when there aren’t a couple kajillion people in the space.
With Eleanor King on drums. All were wearing lederhosen-style suspenders. Lipton has a Sound of Music fascination, and mine is, well, ridiculous. I have been to Salzburg. Just sayin…
Climb every mountain…
This article appears in Oct 16-22, 2008.