Oxygen Artist-Run Gallery and Residency Program
Multidisciplinary Multimedia & Mixed Media Art in Isolated Setting
Jan 12, 2009
Nelson, a small, remote interior BC city, is caged within formidable mountain passes and lakes. The main regional airport in Castlegar, 40 highway minutes away, is jokingly referred to by locals as "Cancelgar" for safety closures brought on by inclement weather. In January of 2009, the entire area was almost completely cut-off by avalanches. In summer, forest fires can restrict any of its key highways. Yet its artist community not only survives, but thrives. One of its shiniest achievements, and the means through which it overcomes this issue with limited accessibility, is artist-run center, Oxygen.
Isolation, a difficult challenge for artists
- Without a broad pool of critical feedback and peer review, artists measure with difficulty where change, improvement or expansion is needed.
- Without access to museums, galleries and art schools, and the larger world, they can feel adrift and disconnected.
- The work can become dated and stale, left behind the innovations that have moved its affiliated forms in other, less far-flung communities, forward.
While these problems may be existential components to the creative process, itself, if it is the physical environment which presents barriers, artists must create spaces where their art draws attention, and so expand the creative boundaries of their cities.
The worldwide web and increasingly user-friendly graphics programs alleviate much of that separation; still, nothing equals the experience of being immersed, full-frontally as it were, in the actual, not virtual, display venue. This lessens spatial detachment and facilitates an emotional and mental sense of connection between the observer and the work. This direct effect is often a source of fresh or renewed inspiration.
Mail Art and Trading Card Art Forms on Exhibit
"Unlike commercial galleries, [with artist-run centers] their focus isn’t on making money. So they’re open to art which isn’t commercial: alternative art, art which is more courageous and shows more creativity. They also give more young artists breaks,” explains Don Mabie, aka "Chuck Stake", an artist whose mail-art exhibition ran at Oxygen in December of 2008. He elaborated they are subject to the same critical standards, so artists are kept on their toes.
Host of Events:
Since 2002, Oxygen not only hosts art exhibitions, but also:
- grants artists and architects a formal venue to develop and present ideas through its residency program,
- provides a venue for poets and authors to provide readings,
- offers show space for smaller programs of modern dance.
Multidisciplinary Multimedia and Mixed Media Exhibition & Forum For Cultural Transformation
The exhibition BOOM! in September of 2008, demonstrated how Oxygen brought new modalities of art to the Nelson community. The multidisciplinary show was the brainstorm of Oxygen's artist-in-residence, Nicola Harwood.
"This show evolved out of my thematic artist residency, my concern for Nelson’s development. It grew to include anyone keen on the subject of our city’s growth.”
The show included in-house pieces like the mixed media painting by Terry Brennan, a DVD production by Amy Bouhigian, and schema and architectural models from UBC. Several site-specific installations throughout the city were mounted by Thomas Loh, Brent Bukowski, Leigh Mayoh, and newcomer, Anita Levesque, interconnected with an ipod walking tour produced by Patrick Thompson. A documentary film and forum addressed the various challenges and needs for balance in the growth of a city.
Most importantly, BOOM! exemplified how artists extended beyond Oxygen's walls, connecting to the city through the show's ambitious scope and, through its conceptual processes, multidisciplinary approach and use of new technologies, bringing Nelson an experience of the largest community of all, the world.
Oxygen Art Center is located behind the building at 3--320 Vernon St., Nelson, B.C., V1L4E4, Canada (alleyway entrance.) Their hours vary, so check out their website first, or phone (250) 352-6322. The website also provides a schedule of upcoming readings and events.
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