The Southern Alberta Art Gallery opens two new exhibits this Friday.
Mapping a Prairie City: Lethbridge and its Suburbs is described as an exhibition of discovery.
Numerous artists re-interpreted their idea of Lethbridge maps.
These aren’t maps in the traditional sense of the word. Instead artists created their own version of maps of Lethbridge/Southern Alberta landmarks.
There are an array of works including photos, aerial photos, films, archival material, digital interactive maps, maps made of yarn, paintings and much more.
Don Gill and Ryan Doherty curated this exhibit, which showcases a variety of responses to Lethbridge’s small city identity.
Along the same lines, is a new exhibition by Lethbridge born artist Mike McLean called “Range.”
“Range,” is an exhbition of photographs which capture his exploration of Revelstoke, Glacier, Kootenay, Yoho, Banff, Jasper and Waterton Lakes National Parks.
According to the SAAG website: “What McLean reveals is a connection as much between people in parks as between people and the land.”
It is an extension of a project called “People and Places,” which began in 2008. It focuses on human activity in the parks.
McLean hiked the Rocky Mountains with 40 pounds of ’60s-era-large Format Linhof field camera and equipment and captured the reactions of fellow travelers as they enjoyed the scenery.
Linhof, who is now based out of Vancouver Island, documented park employees, patrol cabins, data receivers, signage, gates, bridges, railways, helicopter pads and weather stations plus other features.
The SAAG website (www.saag.ca) as suggesting “a renewed sense of discovery and awe that coexists with contemporary perspectives about the relationships of people and parks that is becoming increasingly complex.”
The opening reception for both exhbitions is at 5 p.m., Friday, June 24.
