The importance of context in contemporary art is undeniable. We have always held an interest in the artist, but never has our comprehension, and at times enjoyment, of work been more reliant on the artist's proclamation of intent. Works often take on symbolic reverence with the artists' statements supplying the legend. This is not to say that we don't enjoy interpreting the work once we receive the basic knowledge of what was happening, but in order to solve the individual "mystery" of the artworks we at least need clues.
Jason Baerg, Nomadic Bounce
In Returning, Cree Metis artist Jason Baerg has provided a significant amount of material for interpretation spread over three rooms at Urban Shaman. Themes of memory, place, future, and past are expressed in a variety of media. The title wall reveals the artist's bio, as well as a brief synopsis of the two bodies of work exhibited, but here is where one challenge of the exhibition arises: there are no labels. One wall is dotted with circular wooden abstracts – a beautiful installation of colour and playfulness – flanked by two large videos, also consisting of colourful circular shapes (Relations). Mounted on the opposing wall is a large-scale installation of two wolves, comprised of vibrantly coloured laser-cut canvases and secured with giant nails (Nomadic Bounce). In an adjacent room, Baerg includes a project created out of a weeklong workshop he led at Art City – an inner-city community art centre – as well as a four-panel piece that evolved out of a project with the Ndinawe Youth Resource Centre. The room is a burst of colour and creation in response to questions of what the participants imagined the world will look like in the future.
Baerg is known for his interest in collaboration and the interaction between viewer and artist, so perhaps it is for this reason that identification was left to the staff to supply. Because of the lack of labels I was encouraged (forced?) to seek out the assistance of someone in the gallery. With her direction I was able to properly attribute works to their correct series. The show began to make sense on a deeper level. John Dewey once wrote that you could still enjoy the scent of a flower without understanding how it grows, but a far richer experience is afforded those who possess that knowledge. In this instance, I would agree.
Urban Shaman: http://urbanshaman.org/index.php
Jason Baerg: Returning continues until February 22.
Lisa Kehler is a writer and curator from Winnipeg. She most recently co-authored the forthcoming publication Art Tomorrow: 40 Years of the Future Now (Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art 1972 - 2012). She holds a Masters in Cultural Studies: Curatorial Practices from the University of Winnipeg and is currently the Special Projects Director at Border Crossings. She is Akimblog's Winnipeg correspondent and can be followed @LisaKehler on Twitter.