Gallery 101 is pleased to present

UNIVERSAL REMOTE
October 13-November 10, 2018
An interactive installation by Donna Akrey

Opening Reception: Saturday, October 13th, 2-5pm,
with the artist present and an opportunity to make small sculptures

The interactive installation UNIVERSAL REMOTE explores issues (and interests in) the Canadian landscape, the urban landscape, urban and suburban development, sustainability and our dreams and imaginings about the cities we live in. It consists of kinetic sculptures, installation, interactivity, performance and collaboration. Remote Controlled (RC) sculptural objects resemble urban and suburban landscapes and can be directed to move around a space using the hand-held radio transmitting devices provided. Questions and worries about our use and misuse of land, the displacement of the natural landscape, our obsession with borders, mass productions, the continued influx of suburban development, waste and our (at times) passive, armchair view of the world are evoked. Utilizing common, surplus and discarded materials such as foam, concrete, found objects, junk mail, wood, rubber and household products, Akrey creates installations and sculptural objects that function as gigantic understatements, ruminations on the spectacle of the unspectacular.

Visitors are also invited during opening hours and at designated times to come and build---to collaborate---and add to the imaginary landscape; the first opportunity to make small sculptures will happen at the opening. The word REMOTE means both the idea of place and the idea of chance. These building sessions give the visiting public a chance to think about their city, their environment and about the design of it (good and bad), how they fit into it, how it is changing and how much agency or say they have in those changes. The involvement of people/audience helps build and inform the work’s direction. These elements will be built in the space for the duration of the exhibition. In this way, the installation will grow, accumulate, and change.

UNIVERSAL REMOTE is reflective of G101’s commitment to inclusivity and in particular, feminism is mirrored in this solo project. Where programming at G101 requires that we meet on equal footing on unceded Algonquin territory, Akrey interrogates the concept of single authorship and makes space for all of us to create and express our own ideas about the environment in sculpture.

The ARTIST WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE  OAC for help with the project.

Gallery hours: Tuesday to Saturday noon to 5pm

Or book a tour by contacting: office@g101.ca