![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.artoronto.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/rsz_stoneopening12.jpg\" "\\"rsz_stoneopening12\\"")
<\/a>Cathy Knoespel from Artcast Inc.(left) and guests. Photo:\u00a0Peter\u00a0Wir\u00fcn<\/span><\/p>\nThrough the opening reception four of the exhibiting artists talked about their work.<\/p>\n
Andy Berg said that her installation “Mappined Terraces” was an interactive project she did in a workshop with audience participants at the Kingston artist-run centre \u2013 Modern Fuel. The work is meant to evolve holistically and in the workshop while she was working on it \u00a0– the participants rolled up their sleeves and worked intuitively together with her. As such – continuing this collaborative method – the installation of cast-stone elements was assembled by the gallery installation team.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Elizabeth Merei’s sculpture, “Victoria” was shaped without using models or maquettes, as Merei carved it directly into the stone (Italian marble). Her sculptures exude a sensuality that is as prevalent in an abstract form as in a classical figure. Her torsos convey tremendous vitality and movement. Her work is recognizable with its tension between smooth and rough surfaces, highlighting the imperfections and sudden temper of the natural stone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Andrew Pawlowski stated that he incorporates found materials (steel elements) and stone (marble) assemblages with medieval flair. His symbolic carvings of steel and stone reflect variants of human attitudes towards self-deception. Mental visions imbued along the mysterious road between life and death sway the viewer away from the main tract – unmasking human weaknesses. The symbolic assemblages are thought-provoking evoking poignant dark humour.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dina Torrans pinpointed that the title of her work Ens\u014d, (\u5186\u76f8) is a Japanese word meaning \u201ccircle\u201d and a concept strongly associated with Zen. Most broadly, Ens\u014d represents the vast qualities of the universe, conjuring up its grandness, limitless power and natural phenomena. It is known as the circle of enlightenment. Its symbolism refers to the beginning and end of all things, the circle of life, and the connectedness of existences.\u00a0This circle is incomplete, allowing for movement and development as well as the perfection of all things.<\/p>\n It was a lively opening reception when the artists and art lovers merged, talked about sculptures and exchanged their ideas and reflections.<\/p>\n<\/a>Artist, Andy Berg.\u00a0Photo:\u00a0Peter\u00a0Wir\u00fcn<\/p>\n<\/a>Andy Berg, Mappined Terraces. Photo: J.M. Young<\/p>\n<\/a>Artist, Elizabeth Merei.\u00a0Photo:\u00a0Peter\u00a0Wir\u00fcn<\/p>\n<\/a>Elizabeth Merei, Victoria.\u00a0Photo:\u00a0Peter\u00a0Wir\u00fcn<\/p>\n<\/a>Artist, Andrew Pawlowski.\u00a0Photo:\u00a0Peter\u00a0Wir\u00fcn<\/p>\n<\/a>Andrew Pawlowski, Skoron.\u00a0Photo:\u00a0Peter\u00a0Wir\u00fcn<\/p>\n<\/a>Artist, Dina Torres.Photo:\u00a0Peter\u00a0Wir\u00fcn<\/p>\n<\/a>Dina Torres,\u00a0Ens\u014d.\u00a0Photo:\u00a0Peter\u00a0Wir\u00fcn<\/p>\n