News inspires multi-disciplinary artist

“To me it is about what China has done to Tibet,” said Tansey of the piece entitled ‘Silent Passages 1 and 2’. “It’s a piece about transformation.”

Tansey feels compelled to listen to the news, but is often profoundly disturbed by what she hears. An experienced dancer, singer, and visual artist, she uses the artistic process to deal with what is taking place in the world around her.

“When I’m doing these projects and I have a way to channel what I learn about through the news, I’m able to pay attention,” said Tansey. “When I’m not able to channel it I find it very overwhelming and confusing. So either I write about it or I paint it or I turn it into something”.

The work featured in the exhibition was produced over the last several years and includes abstract painting and assemblage pieces, some of which are interactive. ‘Against the Amputation of the Imagination’ invites visitors to the gallery to write thoughts on scraps of paper and pin them to the wall. ‘Guerilla Actions’ instructs the viewer to open packages and read and reflect on thought provoking quotations while blindfolded.

Tansey has a long tradition of involving her audience. “For me it’s like letting them connect even more with the material,” said Tansey, who has taught at the Visual Arts Centre, Concordia University and the Saidye Bronfman School of Fine Arts.

“I always want there to be some aspect of transformation for everyone.”

Several events are incorporated into the exhibit, which runs until Aug. 25. Tansey will be conducting a series of interviews entitled ‘The Daily Personals’ at the gallery on Aug. 9, 10 and 17 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The public is invited to stop by the gallery to discuss their news with the artist.

“The idea is that news is not just what gets in the newspaper,” said Tansey, who will film the conversations. “It’s important to get the news from different perspectives, including what is going on in one’s life and affecting that person.”

Tansey will also host “Wildmind Writing Workshops” on Aug. 16 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wildmind Writing is a technique Tansey used to create the script for her performance piece that opened the exhibit at the vernissage on Aug. 2.

The artist assembled a cast of actors and musicians who joined her in the performance of a series of abstract but powerful scenes involving dance, sound and spoken word.

Vance DeWaele is part of the vocal ensemble and plays a newscaster who has a breakdown in one of the scenes. “I look at the news differently now,” said De Waele. “It brings up the question of what is considered news.”

The piece will be performed again on Aug. 24 at 8 p.m and admission is $15, with a reduced price of $10 for seniors and students. Other events being held during the exhibition include musical improvisational performances based on Tansey’s visual art to be held on Aug. 11 and 18 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The McClure Gallery is located at 350 Victoria Ave. and is open from Wednesday to Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m.