http://mondomagazine.net We're not geeks! Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:39:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 http://mondomagazine.net/2008/artist-profile-amy-belanger/ http://mondomagazine.net/2008/artist-profile-amy-belanger/#comments Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:00:18 +0000 art http://mondomagazine.net/?p=2913 By Amy Borkwood Amy Belanger is a multi-talented artist, working with everything from embroidery to jewellery to printmaking. She lives and works in Halifax, but you can find her work all over Toronto: necklaces at Heart On Your Sleeve, "Canadian Ragdolls" at the Souvenir Shop, or online at Toronto-based goodEGG Industries. We chatted recently about her work and practice, and what has been inspiring her lately. MONDO: Can you tell me a bit about your background in the arts? I know you went to school at NSCAD, and the first time I saw your work was at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition this summer. Can you tell me a little more about you and your work? Amy Belanger: Well, I could go back as far as decorating pumpkins at my birthday parties and feeling like I had an exceptional talent over my five-year-old companions. Soon after those youthful days I was [...]]]> http://mondomagazine.net/2008/artist-profile-amy-belanger/feed/ 0 http://mondomagazine.net/2008/craftoronto-vs-harbourfront/ http://mondomagazine.net/2008/craftoronto-vs-harbourfront/#comments Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:00:21 +0000 art http://mondomagazine.net/?p=2593 Craftoronto is back! This week, Amy reviews a few of the shows at Harbourfront Centre's fall exhibition. By Amy Borkwood 1. Book Art Craftoronto is back! This week, Amy reviews a few of the shows at Harbourfront Centre's fall exhibition. By Amy Borkwood 1. Book Art Here is the truth: Book Art is my favourite, and it's all I really think about. When I was 17 and first getting interested in the book arts, especially bookbinding, I went to the library and took out arm-loads of books filled with work by well-known book artists. And I was really, sadly, disappointed. The books were from the late 80s and early 90s, and it showed — all the featured books were elaborate and over-the-top, they valued form over aesthetic, and they were just generally unattractive to me at that age. The exhibition at the Harbourfront Centre — Book Variations, organized by the Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild (CBBAG) — reminded me of the disappointment my 17-year-old self felt looking at those library books. The aesthetic — over-wrought, metallic-on-black-with-calligraphy-and-beading — has remained the same in the small world of the traditional book arts. Of course, there were gorgeous individual works: there was Erin Ciulla's series of fibre-wrapped books — linen, mohair, wool — in shades of off-white, stored in a gorgeous wooden box. A few books showcased immense skill: most bindings were gorgeous in and of themselves, and there were books with hand-set type, wood engravings, and impeccable detail. In general, though, the exhibition was disappointing, and may discourage those people just finding their way into the book arts. Though this exhibition would suggest otherwise, the book arts truly are [...]]]> http://mondomagazine.net/2008/craftoronto-vs-harbourfront/feed/ 0 http://mondomagazine.net/2008/craftoronto-awash-in-washi/ http://mondomagazine.net/2008/craftoronto-awash-in-washi/#comments Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:00:23 +0000 art http://mondomagazine.net/?p=1206 World Washi Summit June 7-15, 2008 35 locations in and around Toronto By Amy Borkwood How many ways can you possibly manipulate Washi — through folding, gluing, dyeing, painting, cutting, printing, sewing, etc. — in order to create something absolutely new? This is what the World Washi Summit seemed to be asking of its artists throughout this one-week exhibition of Washi (the Japanese word for traditional papers, made by hand for over 1400 years, from renewable, indigenous plants). Galleries (and restaurants, retail stores, and more) all across the city dedicated their spaces to the exploration of this traditional paper, featuring new and experienced artists, all working within the medium of Washi [...]]]> http://mondomagazine.net/2008/craftoronto-awash-in-washi/feed/ 0