NAC exhibit reveals dangers of tourism on nature
Mike DiRisio
Issue date: 1/29/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment
| |
|
As you walk around the sport fishing-style hut set up in the Niagara Artists' Centre (NAC), you will see a series of large, grainy, backlit pictures of sport fishermen from '60s brochures. Upon entering, you will find that the walls are lined with Big Mouth Billy Bass - the novelty singing fish - along with artifacts of species that are now extinct from the Great Lakes.
This duality creates an interesting shift in styles, going from the silent and serene outside, to the chaotic and artificial inside.
"The exterior with its modern styling and saturated photos promises this ideal world of nature, but inside there's only noise and malfunctioning rubber junk," said Elliott.
The intent is that one becomes somewhat shocked by what surrounds the inner walls. "The interior of Hatchery really is quite atrocious, but I have the feeling it is also going to [be] known as NAC's funhouse. I'm alright with that," said Elliott.
He welcomes the idea that this "funhouse" may be perceived as quite carnival-esque, as well as being an informed work of art, since he sees this combination as a positive spin on your typical gallery experience. He feels that the entertainment and shock value will not deter from the underlying message that he is trying to communicate.
"I think a work can be both a piece of pop craziness and explore some serious themes," said Elliott.
The exhibit reveals many of the unknown environmental harms of the sport-fishing world. This theme hits home particularly well in Southern Ontario, where the state of the Great Lakes have been deteriorating gradually overtime, even in the face of perceived restoration.
"The Great Lakes have been cleaned up and fish have been reintroduced, but there's an economic incentive to all that," said Elliott. "I discovered that rather than being a real ecosystem, the Great Lake system is just a giant stocked fishpond."
He criticizes the community for its hidden agenda, feeling that there is a great lack of honesty in its weak attempt at environmental care.
"Even when humans act in a benevolent fashion, they do it out of self-interest," said Elliott.
Toronto has made minor improvements as well, which Elliott feels are too hyped up for the little good that is actually done.
"Did you hear about that 'turn off your lights for an hour' challenge in Toronto? What a crock of shit," said Elliott. "This is what we come up with to clean up our mess: an hour without lights, throw up some wind farms, screw in some compact fluorescents. It's all about visible fixes and big gestures."
It is not that these actions do not help, rather it is that they are perceived as far more helpful than they truly are. He also views the current environmentalist attitude adopted by the local community as more of a trend than a true mind-set.
"Every time someone in the grassroots … makes noise about the environment, companies and governments propose some tiny solution and the problem officially goes away for another decade or two," said Elliott.
Although Elliott appears to have rather defined views on these matters, he maintains a degree of humility in admitting that he does not have all the answers. In his art especially, he prefers to leave it more open-ended, allowing the viewer to interpret the work in his or her own way.
"If Hatchery is successful, it will make people ask questions and think about our relationships with the world around us," he said. "Art that tells you how to think is propaganda."
Hatchery is on display at the NAC until March 4.
Be the first to comment on this story