July 2, 2016
VISA Newsletter

The man who saw interesting everywhere

"He who seeks beauty will find it"
Bill Cunningham 1929-2016

I love people who have a sense of style.
Style doesn't mean wearing the latest trends or spending a lot of money on clothes; it refers to those who take a little extra time in their day to think about how to present themselves to the world. While fashion can seem trivial, elitist and consumption-focused, style is a natural way for humans to express themselves. How you dress reveals how you take joy in the details of life. Bill Cunningham, the New York street fashion photographer who died last week, had a fantastic ability to see interesting sartorial details all over the streets of New York with a particular focus on the corner of 57th St and 5th Ave, often referred to as "Bill's corner".

Bill did a weekly column in the New York Times called
On the Street since 1989, and more recently the column was accompanied by short video commentaries which are a treat to listen to: Bill Cunningham Videos. He was a unique individual who found his niche (and career) by photographing the fashion of "everyday people". Bill was interested in people who were just going about their daily business and he would capture details in their attire that caught his immediate attention. In the New York Times article Bill Cunningham on Bill Cunningham, Bill gives an overview of his working life and how he went from a hat maker to a fashion photographer. He concludes the article by saying "I go out every day. When I get depressed at the office, I go out, and as soon as I'm on the street and see people, I feel better. But I never go out with a preconceived idea. I let the street speak to me". 

Bill's dedication to his practice would be the envy of many visual artists. He lived to work and was at it seven days a week. He loved his job so he did not consider it "work" in the traditional sense of the word (he sometimes would refuse payment for what he did thinking it would take a way his freedom to do as he chose). There is an excellent 2010 documentary called Bill Cunningham New York (which is no longer available for free online as of last week, however it is well worth buying or renting on iTunes). Here is a brief excerpt from the film: Bill Cunningham Words of Wisdom. CBC's Q had two fashion observers comment on Bill's legacy. Bill made an impression on many and here is a compilation of observations from people he photographed over the years: Captured by the Lens of Bill Cunningham.
 
He loved to get the "unposed" photograph and one of his favourite things was to capture well-dressed New Yorkers jumping over puddles or snow banks (see images below). He had little concern for celebrities and being a non-tv watcher and non-movie-goer, he would rarely recognize them. He once photographed a woman in a beautiful coat who covered her head with a newspaper at the sight of his camera, but he didn't care because the subject of the photograph was 'the cut of the shoulder' on her coat, so he took the photograph newspaper and all. He later realized the woman was Greta Garbo. Bill was the forerunner of "street fashion" photography which is now prevalent in the proliferation fashion blogs devoted to the subject.

While he seemed casual on the street with his $20 blue jacket worn by the street cleaners in Paris, his basic bicycle and his camera around his neck, Bill was a complete perfectionist in terms of how his photographs appeared in the weekly layout. Here is an account of what it was like to work with Bill: Child, I Trust You: On Deadline with Bill Cunningham and another one about his long time collaborator John Kurdewan. John also documented his experience with Bill in an instagram account called workforbillc.

To get a sense of Bill's eye and ability to see beauty in the ordinary, the quirky and the outrageous, a selection of his photos can be seen here: Cunningham's Wide Range of Fashion Photography. A rare interview in 2014 has just been released yesterday (Bill avoided interviews at all costs and he had extreme regret about being persuaded to do the 2010 documentary): 92Y Bill Cunningham. The lengthy introduction includes a slide show of Bill talking about his earlier career as a hat maker. He concludes the interview by commenting on how electronic technology is making people focus on the inside of their heads to the point that they are no longer paying attention to the outsides of their bodies. And while he stresses the necessity of technology and the thinking that goes along with these innovations, he hopes that people in the future will consider both the inside and the outside of being human. He says that fashion will always exist but he seemed to be worried that clothing might become only considered for its practical purposes and the flare and flourish of style might be lost (think: the jean and hoodie wearing computer guys associated with Silicone Valley).

I will very much miss the Sunday ritual of looking at Bill's weekly "On the Street" column in the New York Times. Instagram users will appreciate the moving, amusing and beautiful tributes there; here are a select few: #BillCunningham. While there will never be anyone like Bill, the good news is that we can all be our own Bill Cunningham by taking time to notice the people on the street, especially those who pay extra attention to their attire. Bill will be remembered for his fantastic ability to see the interesting everywhere and especially for his phrase: "fashion is the armor to survive everyday life."
 



Wendy Welch

Executive Director
Vancouver Island School of Art

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support the many art-related activities offered by Vancouver Island School of Art including this newsletter, art courses, workshops, artist talks and exhibitions.
PAINTING AS PRACTICE
Monday-Friday July 11-15, 10am-5pm 
(starts next Monday -so register soon! Bring a friend and they can get 50% off. To receive discount you need to register by phone or in person)

This painting workshop will demonstrate how to brainstorm new ideas or develop the ideas you already have, and how to create a small series of paintings based on a specific theme. The instructor will provide guidance on composition, technical application of paint, and connecting the ideas with the method and process of painting. There will be ongoing one-on-one and group critiques of the work in various stages as well as presentations on historical and contemporary paintings. The last day of the workshop will culminate in a final critique and overview of the critique process. Some painting experience recommended. Those of you who have taken a previous Painting as Practice workshop are welcome to join this one as a way to focus on a particular series you might be working on.

Instructor: John Luna
Cost: $395 (bring a friend and they receive 50% of their tuition)
Supply List
Related images
To register online
QUILT AS ART: FREEFORM INTUITIVE PIECING 
Saturday & Sunday, July 9 and 10, 10am-5pm

You will learn to compose using spontaneous imagery and freeform cutting in this workshop. Projects include combining colours and value in an intuitive way and using the resulting design as a springboard for exploration in line and pattern. This process allows for exciting surprises along the way, resulting in kinetic designs. You will learn direct ways to make compositions and how to use design elements and principles such as line, contrast, repetition, and value. You will leave this workshop with the discovery of your own innate sense of design and some lively art quilt pieces. Some sewing experience is recommended and some materials are provided.

Instructor: Susan Purney Mark
Cost: $225 (includes some materials)
Related images
To register online or to view supply list
 
MAP AS ART
Sunday July 10, 1:30-4:30pm
(this workshop has been re-scheduled from July 3, so if you weren't available that day, here is a second chance!)
 
Artists were responsible for drawing the first maps, and now in the 21st century, many artists are turning to maps as a source for their art practice. In this map workshop, you will explore the autobiographical potential of mapping, as well as exercises that involve tracings and developing a composition through layering of information. These activities will include working with drawing materials, watercolour paints and collage elements. No drawing or painting experience is necessary.

Instructor: Wendy Welch 
Cost: $75 (materials included)
Related images
To register online
 
SUPER SAVINGS ON WEEKLONG SUMMER WORKSHOPS

Register for any weeklong workshop and get 50% off the second one. This is applicable if you've already registered for one, or if you want to register a friend for the same workshop (or another). As long as you register for one weeklong workshop, you can receive 50% off another weeklong.

To receive discount you must register by phone or in person.

July Workshops

August Workshops
 
   

SUMMER STUDIO SPACE RENTAL at VISA

Every summer we rent out our large bright classrooms to artists to work on projects over the summer. Rooms are usually shared by four artists.

VISA Students, Alumni & Faculty Rates:
$75/week
(7 days, 24 hour access*)
*24 hour access to be approved by Director
$50/week (5 days, 9am-5pm)

Regular Rate:
$100/week (5 days, 9am-5pm)

Please contact office to reserve space now.
Victoria Urban Photography Exhibition
(Students from VISA's Urban Photography with Meghan Krauss)  
Opening reception: Tuesday, July 5, 7pm 
 

 
CityStudio
42 Johnson Street  
For more info: CityStudio
Slide Room Gallery: Group Photo Exhibition 
Opening Reception: Thursday July 14, 6pm
 
 Slide Room Gallery 
2549 Quadra street 

For more info: Slide Room Gallery
Artist Talk: Catherine Spencer
Friday July 22, 7pm
 
Vancouver Island School of Art 
2549 Quadra street  
Ministry of Casual Living: Jeremy Herndl
July 9 - August 30
 
Sticks and Cloth 
Herndl is interested in painting spaces where human and non human elements coalesce and describe a social situation. This series of three paintings poetically describe Victoria's "Tent City" with a complexity of colours and textures. This triptych will be shown in sequence, one at a time in the Odeon Alley Window over the course of three weeks.


Ministry of Casual Living 
819 Fort Street

For more info: 
 
 
Polychrome Fine Art: Ingrid May Percy
Opening reception: Thursday July 7, 7-9pm
Polychrome Fine Art 
977-A Fort St

For more info: Polychrome
Martin Batchelor Gallery: Laura Feeleus
Opening reception: Saturday July 9, 7-9pm
Martin Batchelor Gallery 
712 Cormorant St 

Fore more info: Martin Batchelor Gallery 
Cedar Hill Rec Centre: Group Exhibition 
Opening reception: August 18, 7pm
 

Polished! For the Love of Venetian Plaster

In this exhibition Kate Carson, Michelle Winkel and Jenny Farkas have limited themselves to working with Venetian plaster. Each artist uses this historic plaster in different ways, highlighting the the potential of this lovely medium.
 










Cedar Hill Rec Centre
3220 Cedar Hill Road 

For more info: Polished!

 
Find out about all of the wonderful arts and culture activities Victoria. Arts Victoria is a great resource for all the latest arts-related events in Victoria. Click here for more info: artsvictoria
 


Certificate of Visual Arts at VISA = 1st year of Bachelor in Arts at the Vancouver Island University
As of 2015, Certificate of Visual Arts = 1st year of Bachelor in Arts, Major in Fine Arts Degree at the Vancouver Island University.
Diploma of Fine Arts at VISA transferable to University of Gloucestershire, UK
Diploma of Fine Arts + 8 months at the University of Gloucestershire = BA in Fine Art.
For more information contact Melissa in the office
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