Winter 2013: Mise-en-abyme
Didactic panel
Mise-en-abyme (def.): Self-reflection or introspection in a literary or other artistic
work; the process of making an image that contains itself with infinite recursion.
work; the process of making an image that contains itself with infinite recursion.
Mise-en-abyme, Fridge Door Gallery’s second show organized in collaboration
with the Fine Arts Council’s Nuit Blanche, explores art and art-making
as activities of self-reflection. This concept groups together both the liminal
and secure elements of layers, cycles, and ever-expanding possibilities.
While some of the chosen works are constructed through material strata, others
are chosen because of the layers of references and meanings inherent in them.
Through these multiple levels of significance, and variety of media, Mise-en-abyme
seeks to reflect upon the creative processes behind art-making. The show’s featured
works comment on ephemeral moments, the fleeting and transitory instances that
spark creativity. The show raises questions about how we see and experience
these moments, and how we express and record them in visual form.
Artists
Marie Chantal Africa
Camille Attia
Ludivine Baugier
Madison Bentley
Hannah Feniak
Jocelyne Light
Arash Nayerahmadi
Matthieu Santerre
Alexandra Schuller
Joshua Weeks
Catherine Wilson
Kathryn Yuen
Fall 2012: embodiments
Didactic panel
The Fridge Door Gallery is pleased to present our Fall 2012 vernissage, embodiments,
in celebrating artworks that explore the chiasmus between the world and the subject.
Merleau-Ponty’s existentialist theory describes that one cannot separate the subject from
its environment and how this relationship creates meaning. The selection of artists
showcased in embodiments exemplifies this phenomenological trajectory, in terms of
exploring the human experience, human emotion, and human perspectives. Their works
attest to the multiplicity of the subject, and its constant flux in relation to the forces
surrounding it in the world.
its environment and how this relationship creates meaning. The selection of artists
showcased in embodiments exemplifies this phenomenological trajectory, in terms of
exploring the human experience, human emotion, and human perspectives. Their works
attest to the multiplicity of the subject, and its constant flux in relation to the forces
surrounding it in the world.
The plurality of embodied experiences is represented in this selection of artworks,
whether directly relating to the body, or to the transience of the subject.
Through a diversity of media, embodiments hopes to realize a more
immediate expression of one’s relationship with other subjects,
and to reflect on the artistic internalization of the outside world.
whether directly relating to the body, or to the transience of the subject.
Through a diversity of media, embodiments hopes to realize a more
immediate expression of one’s relationship with other subjects,
and to reflect on the artistic internalization of the outside world.
Artists
Alyssa Archer-Cooper Alexandria Holm
Ludivine Baugier Anna Katycheva
Madison Bentley Henri Krongold
Florence Bienvenu Arash Nayerahmadi
Katrina Gibbs Noor Said-Abdessameud
Andrew Grant Justin Turcotte
Vivian Gu William Werblow
Josiah Henderson Ivy Wong
Josiah Henderson Ivy Wong
Winter 2012: Fridge Door Gallery After Hours
Didactic panel
The Fridge Door Gallery is doing something different this semester:
joining forces with McGill's only after-hours art event, we are hosting
our vernissage at the Fine Arts Council's Nuit Blanche.
joining forces with McGill's only after-hours art event, we are hosting
our vernissage at the Fine Arts Council's Nuit Blanche.
As the only student-run art gallery on campus, the Fridge Door Gallery
is dedicated to providing a creative arena in which McGill students can exhibit,
curate and view art of their peers. Since the club's inception, the Fridge Door
Gallery has striven to promote dialogue between McGill artists and the
wider campus community. This dialogue has been supported and sustained
by the Fine Arts Council since the gallery's establishment. Nuit Blanche,
hosted by the Fine Arts Council, celebrates the achievements of McGill
students and fosters creative talent in an exciting yearly event.
is dedicated to providing a creative arena in which McGill students can exhibit,
curate and view art of their peers. Since the club's inception, the Fridge Door
Gallery has striven to promote dialogue between McGill artists and the
wider campus community. This dialogue has been supported and sustained
by the Fine Arts Council since the gallery's establishment. Nuit Blanche,
hosted by the Fine Arts Council, celebrates the achievements of McGill
students and fosters creative talent in an exciting yearly event.
The joining of forces of the Fridge Door Gallery's biannual vernissage to this
large-scale celebration of student art at McGill is an organic extension
of the mutual appreciation from which the McGill student community
derives its strength. We hope you enjoy the show, and the night.
large-scale celebration of student art at McGill is an organic extension
of the mutual appreciation from which the McGill student community
derives its strength. We hope you enjoy the show, and the night.
Artists
Ludivine Baugier
Scott Durno
Carlyn Hopkins
Ece Inan
Sean Lamb
Bianca Lavric
Jordan Moody
Arash Nayerahmadi
Paul Sara
Li-Anne Sayegh
Hristo Vassilev
Matthieu Watson Santerre
Nicholas Zypchen
Fall 2011: Liminal Spaces
When Isaac Newton published his Principia in 1687, his definition of space
lay the foundation for the science of mechanics. Newton described space as
being either absolute or relative, fundamentally articulating the concept
of the idiom of physics. The Fridge Door Gallery's Fall 2011 show, Liminal Spaces,
aims to express space in another language—that of art.
lay the foundation for the science of mechanics. Newton described space as
being either absolute or relative, fundamentally articulating the concept
of the idiom of physics. The Fridge Door Gallery's Fall 2011 show, Liminal Spaces,
aims to express space in another language—that of art.
Space here is presented not as a phenomenon reducible to physical formulae,
but rather as a concept to be considered and reconsidered, an infinitely
malleable construction, a fluid field of expression. The pieces in the show
demonstrate that space elodes easy categorisation; thinking of space
in terms of liminality, of relationships to and with and beyond other things,
allows us to better assess the full complexity of spatial constructions.
but rather as a concept to be considered and reconsidered, an infinitely
malleable construction, a fluid field of expression. The pieces in the show
demonstrate that space elodes easy categorisation; thinking of space
in terms of liminality, of relationships to and with and beyond other things,
allows us to better assess the full complexity of spatial constructions.
These spaces are real and imaginary, empty and full, above and below and
beside and no-where. They shed light on how we situate ourselves in relation
to our surroundings, and how our self-location is coloured by gendered, economic
and cultural subjectivities. These spaces are loaded with meanings and purposes.
They express different ideas of identity and identification, belonging
and exclusion, boundaries and limitlessness. These spaces can be contested
and marginal, subject to the variance of use and intervention. Endlessly
susceptible to reinterpretation, they force us to re-evaluate our understanding
beside and no-where. They shed light on how we situate ourselves in relation
to our surroundings, and how our self-location is coloured by gendered, economic
and cultural subjectivities. These spaces are loaded with meanings and purposes.
They express different ideas of identity and identification, belonging
and exclusion, boundaries and limitlessness. These spaces can be contested
and marginal, subject to the variance of use and intervention. Endlessly
susceptible to reinterpretation, they force us to re-evaluate our understanding
of space, and how we position ourselves on the various thresholds of our lives.
Artists
Ludivine Baugier Natalie Krivas
Ludivine Baugier Natalie Krivas
Chloe Turner Bloom Manuel Menendez
Patrick Boghossian Arash Nayerahmadi
Zoe Carlton Rachel Rosenbluth
Laura Douglas Li-Anne Sayegh
Dominique Glassman Theodora Skolnik
Sean Lamb Louis Soulard
Bianca Lavric Lukas Thienhaus
Winter 2011: Handiwork
Didactic panel
The mission of the Fridge Door Gallery is to exhibit, promote and ultimately
encourage the production of art within the McGill community. We
aim to provide an outled for those who take interest in the Fine Arts by
providing an exhibition experience twice a year. With our first solo exhibition
last month, we hope to encourage other creative and talented artists
at McGill to approach us for their own shows! This exhibition features
the work of nine artists from multiple faculties. The works
on display have spoken to us in term of their materiality.
encourage the production of art within the McGill community. We
aim to provide an outled for those who take interest in the Fine Arts by
providing an exhibition experience twice a year. With our first solo exhibition
last month, we hope to encourage other creative and talented artists
at McGill to approach us for their own shows! This exhibition features
the work of nine artists from multiple faculties. The works
on display have spoken to us in term of their materiality.
So often we privilege our sense of sight over all other senses—especially when
it comes to art. The students features in this vernissage have countered
the hegemony of optics in favour of getting their hands dirty. Who
says this generation of youth is apathetic? Texture, technique, medium
and materiality are brought to the fore in Handiwork, a celebration
of craft that proves students still take the time to create.
it comes to art. The students features in this vernissage have countered
the hegemony of optics in favour of getting their hands dirty. Who
says this generation of youth is apathetic? Texture, technique, medium
and materiality are brought to the fore in Handiwork, a celebration
of craft that proves students still take the time to create.
We hope that you take the time to appreciate the detailed handiwork of your peers.
Thank you for supporting the Fridge Door Gallery and students art on campus.
Thank you for supporting the Fridge Door Gallery and students art on campus.
Artists
Amy Goh
Natalie Dionne
Annie Maarleveld
Sean Lamb
Emily Lindemer
Isabel Luce
Hannah Martin
Molly Tenzer
Yiming Xiao
Winter 2011 special exhibition: mindfcuk
A solo exhibition of works by Aquil Virani, organized in collaboration with the Fridge Door Gallery
About the artAt the core of visual arts is the interpretation of the image. When light rays
enter the eye of the viewer, the brain studies this arrangement of
light and instantly evaluates the subject matter of what it is seeing
—"that must be a human face," the brain says to itself for example.
Certain pictures, however, can evoke multiple interpretations, often
causing confusion when these several options are considered at once.
In many of the works in mindfcuk, I have designed the composition
intentionally to show several interpretive possibilities. While some have
an obvious initial option along with a secondary, more subtle
interpretation, there are some that balance interpretations equally.
intentionally to show several interpretive possibilities. While some have
an obvious initial option along with a secondary, more subtle
interpretation, there are some that balance interpretations equally.
About the artist
Aquil Virani (b. 1991, Vancouver, BC) is currently completing his BA in Philosophy
and Liberal Arts (double major) with a minor in Marketing at McGill University.
and Liberal Arts (double major) with a minor in Marketing at McGill University.
Because of his intense passion for visual art, he has been involved extensively
throughout McGill as an artist. He has created artwork for juried exhibitions and
private collections, illustrated several campus publications, designed logos
and apparel for various student groups, and executed interactive art projects
throughout McGill. He currently works as the Graphic Designer of the Students'
Society of McGill University (SSMU). Aquil loves every second of it.
throughout McGill as an artist. He has created artwork for juried exhibitions and
private collections, illustrated several campus publications, designed logos
and apparel for various student groups, and executed interactive art projects
throughout McGill. He currently works as the Graphic Designer of the Students'
Society of McGill University (SSMU). Aquil loves every second of it.
Fall 2010: the (sur)real.
The mission of the Fridge Door Gallery is to exhibit, promote and ultimately
encourage art of McGill University. Continuing to build a reputation, garner
support of faculty and students alike, while still having fun in the process, we
hope to provide a creative outlet for those who take an interest in the Fine Arts.
In this exhibition we explore how nine artists depict the 'reality' in which they live.
encourage art of McGill University. Continuing to build a reputation, garner
support of faculty and students alike, while still having fun in the process, we
hope to provide a creative outlet for those who take an interest in the Fine Arts.
In this exhibition we explore how nine artists depict the 'reality' in which they live.
Not to be confused with the Surrealist movement that arose in the early 1920s,
the Fridge Door Gallery explores the various conceptions of reality as evoked
through the pieces presented here at the Fall 2010 vernissage of the (sur)real.
the Fridge Door Gallery explores the various conceptions of reality as evoked
through the pieces presented here at the Fall 2010 vernissage of the (sur)real.
All of these pieces encourage us to rethink our notion of what it is to be real
and the way in which our social and environmental interactions produce
what we believe to be reality. From photographs in black and white that
depict frozen moments in the mundane flow of daily life, to images that appear
unreal and distort our perceptions of reality, to still others that express an
intensified sense of reality with vivid colours and extreme scenarios—everyday
life and the people who live it are the subjects of the works. In exploring
the ideas of reality manifested in this collection of works, we aim to
challenge the outmoded concepts of what art is and what it can do.
and the way in which our social and environmental interactions produce
what we believe to be reality. From photographs in black and white that
depict frozen moments in the mundane flow of daily life, to images that appear
unreal and distort our perceptions of reality, to still others that express an
intensified sense of reality with vivid colours and extreme scenarios—everyday
life and the people who live it are the subjects of the works. In exploring
the ideas of reality manifested in this collection of works, we aim to
challenge the outmoded concepts of what art is and what it can do.
We hope that you enjoy the (sur)real. and that the Fridge Door Gallery will continue
to hold a valuable position in the heart of McGill University's Fine Art community.
to hold a valuable position in the heart of McGill University's Fine Art community.
Artists
Choucri Bechir
Patrick Caire
Amy Goh
Timothy Lem-Smith
Sarah McCulloh
Jeremy Schipper
Noah Tavlin
Lukas Thienhaus
Winter 2010: Cruxism
Didactic panel
This is a call to painters, sculptors, installation artists, photographers, sound
recorders, video artists, print makers, performers, filmmakers and all other relevant
media artists. Let us do away with the last remnants of Greenbergian specificity and
truly embrace the Medias of our time. Today more than ever before traditional
forms of art no longer consume the field. This is not to say that painting is dead,
but rather that we take pride in our fluency in several media.
recorders, video artists, print makers, performers, filmmakers and all other relevant
media artists. Let us do away with the last remnants of Greenbergian specificity and
truly embrace the Medias of our time. Today more than ever before traditional
forms of art no longer consume the field. This is not to say that painting is dead,
but rather that we take pride in our fluency in several media.
As we embark on a new decade, how will we make our mark on the present
for the future? How will we be remembered? Working in/outside/around
the White Cube it is clear that Art is undergoing major renovations.
for the future? How will we be remembered? Working in/outside/around
the White Cube it is clear that Art is undergoing major renovations.
In this space we have a chance to experiment, to break open neat compartments,
stretch boudaries and take on new meanings, to remix, to attract new audiences,
to ultimately provide a place for exploration.
stretch boudaries and take on new meanings, to remix, to attract new audiences,
to ultimately provide a place for exploration.
This year the Fridge Door Gallery offers a spectrum of emerging voices that come
together on March 25th—an event that will consequently define the movement itself.
together on March 25th—an event that will consequently define the movement itself.
Artists
Alexandra Abrol
Jeff St-Aubin
Scott Baker
Victoria Bentley
Alex Borkowski
Natalie Dionne
Maud Hurley
Roxana Parsa
Aquil Virani
Winter 2010 special exhibition: Inside the Fridge
Exhibition of works by the executive committee
Didactic panel
Picturing other people’s experiences is a daunting task, mainly for the reason
that we can only handle the images that can be conjured by our own mind
or that appear in front of our own faces. In this selection of works created
by McGill University artists, audiences are asked to suspend their own life portraits
in favor of the particular artist’s encounters. Randomly collected fragments,
travel destinations and the use of vibrant colors are all prominent features that
make this collection come alive. Though each artist has undergone different life experiences
their works blend together to illustrate the contemporary landscape—in all its shades.
that we can only handle the images that can be conjured by our own mind
or that appear in front of our own faces. In this selection of works created
by McGill University artists, audiences are asked to suspend their own life portraits
in favor of the particular artist’s encounters. Randomly collected fragments,
travel destinations and the use of vibrant colors are all prominent features that
make this collection come alive. Though each artist has undergone different life experiences
their works blend together to illustrate the contemporary landscape—in all its shades.
All works stand out because of the bold use of color which simultaneously
augments, conveys and/or moves away from realism. Abstract artist Wassily
Kandinsky once wrote about the great value of color and its ability to ignite
various emotions in its viewers. Warm colors, he said, move toward the viewer,
while cool colors move away. These selected works use color to express the
artist’s experience of subject matter rather than to describe objective
nature. Charmed by the beauty of colors, together they create a purely
physical effect in the eye which provokes a joyful impression
similar to the experience of eating a delicacy.
augments, conveys and/or moves away from realism. Abstract artist Wassily
Kandinsky once wrote about the great value of color and its ability to ignite
various emotions in its viewers. Warm colors, he said, move toward the viewer,
while cool colors move away. These selected works use color to express the
artist’s experience of subject matter rather than to describe objective
nature. Charmed by the beauty of colors, together they create a purely
physical effect in the eye which provokes a joyful impression
similar to the experience of eating a delicacy.
As a segway from the exhibitions held at McGill University, this exhibition
allows the executive members of the Fridge Door Gallery (a student curated art
gallery) to share their passion for the Fine Arts through their own work. As a
courtesy to our fellow McGill students, we do not submit our artwork to the
bi-annual exhibitions in order to focus putting on a distinct show for our peers.
As the first ever exhibition of our artwork to the public, we hope that you will enjoy
and share with us our appreciation for the art world in all its shapes and colors.
allows the executive members of the Fridge Door Gallery (a student curated art
gallery) to share their passion for the Fine Arts through their own work. As a
courtesy to our fellow McGill students, we do not submit our artwork to the
bi-annual exhibitions in order to focus putting on a distinct show for our peers.
As the first ever exhibition of our artwork to the public, we hope that you will enjoy
and share with us our appreciation for the art world in all its shapes and colors.
Artists
Rachael Aird
Amanda Barile
Amanda Brownridge
Amanda Durepos
Amanda Fulginiti
Meredith Hayes
Marie McLendon
Didactic panel
Feel free to disengage with the works being presented to you. As viewers
to the sixth exhibition organized by the Fridge Door Gallery, a student
curated/student art show, we welcome you to lose yourself in the
stillness and silence of the selected works of art.
to the sixth exhibition organized by the Fridge Door Gallery, a student
curated/student art show, we welcome you to lose yourself in the
stillness and silence of the selected works of art.
As anyone entering the gallery will notice, a reoccurring artistic medium
is the photograph. Since the turn of the twentieth-century, the advent
of reproducible images has made a dramatic impact on the capturing
and rendering of reality. Today photographs have gone beyond their initial
task of mimesis and in turn have pushed other mediums in other directions.
is the photograph. Since the turn of the twentieth-century, the advent
of reproducible images has made a dramatic impact on the capturing
and rendering of reality. Today photographs have gone beyond their initial
task of mimesis and in turn have pushed other mediums in other directions.
DisConnect refers to the disengaged subject in an urban contemporary
environment. Viewers are unable to penetrate the surface and fully
identify with what he/she is viewing. Therefore there is a kind of
anonymous relationship being developed between the two. As a result,
the majority of the works stress atmosphere rather than any
particular subject. Strong control, geometrical compositions and
an overall somber feel are defining characteristics to all the pieces.
environment. Viewers are unable to penetrate the surface and fully
identify with what he/she is viewing. Therefore there is a kind of
anonymous relationship being developed between the two. As a result,
the majority of the works stress atmosphere rather than any
particular subject. Strong control, geometrical compositions and
an overall somber feel are defining characteristics to all the pieces.
The mission of the Fridge Door Gallery is to exhibit, promote and ultimately
encourage art at McGill University. Continuing to build a reputation, garner
support from faculty and students alike, while still having fun in the process,
we hope to provide a creative outlet for those who take an interest in the Fine Arts.
We hope that you enjoy DisConnect and that the Fridge Door Gallery will continue
to hold a valuable position in the heart of McGill University’s Fine Arts community.
encourage art at McGill University. Continuing to build a reputation, garner
support from faculty and students alike, while still having fun in the process,
we hope to provide a creative outlet for those who take an interest in the Fine Arts.
We hope that you enjoy DisConnect and that the Fridge Door Gallery will continue
to hold a valuable position in the heart of McGill University’s Fine Arts community.
Artists
Julie Bellemare Maud Elizabeth Hurley
Partick Caire Fahd Hussain
Natalie Dionne Priam Poulton-McGram
Zachary Elliot Jeff St. Aubin
Stephen Fuller Tanya Tolokh
OJ Hart Aquil Virani
Winter 2009: Art Shift
Didactic panel
Throughout its age-old presence in the world, a tree experiences the aftershocks
of the passage of time. Societies and seasons both leave their marks on
the curves of the tree’s writhing branches, writing the ever-changing
history of the earth. Similarly, the artworks on the walls of our gallery are reflections of
creative minds as they grapple with the aftershock of modernity.
of the passage of time. Societies and seasons both leave their marks on
the curves of the tree’s writhing branches, writing the ever-changing
history of the earth. Similarly, the artworks on the walls of our gallery are reflections of
creative minds as they grapple with the aftershock of modernity.
The technological discord of the modern age has stripped much art of its intrinsic
aesthetic qualities. Much post-modern art in its search for meaning
disregards the medium through which it communicates: the
colours and shapes which offer experiences of the beautiful, the
ugly and all that lies in between. Our artists, however, make the medium
the subject of their artwork. This self-containment of meaning
yields art in a state of motion, and changing forms capturing a unique
moment within a shifting world. These works are at once stable and fluid,
images isolating distinct moments within the flow of time. Pure in
aesthetics, the art invites a purely aesthetic experience.
aesthetic qualities. Much post-modern art in its search for meaning
disregards the medium through which it communicates: the
colours and shapes which offer experiences of the beautiful, the
ugly and all that lies in between. Our artists, however, make the medium
the subject of their artwork. This self-containment of meaning
yields art in a state of motion, and changing forms capturing a unique
moment within a shifting world. These works are at once stable and fluid,
images isolating distinct moments within the flow of time. Pure in
aesthetics, the art invites a purely aesthetic experience.
The ephemeral state of the world is equally captured in those works which
deal with ideological or enacted ambivalence. We are at a moment of
intersection of ideologies and change. Our artists present the viewer
with this moment by imbuing their artworks with a sense of indecision.
Many of the artworks present ideological or political movement, but
do not make clear exactly where that movement is headed. Instead of providing
answers to the modern dilemma, our artists document the polarities
and the indecisions and leave the search for answer to the individual viewer.
Artists
Amanda Barile Han Han Li
Claire Boucher April Martin
Gillian Chang Roxana Parsa
Lila Jiang Chen Jorge Rodrigo Peral Posada
Zachary Elliot William Robinson
Danae Kaklamanos Aquil Virani
Ivy Wong
deal with ideological or enacted ambivalence. We are at a moment of
intersection of ideologies and change. Our artists present the viewer
with this moment by imbuing their artworks with a sense of indecision.
Many of the artworks present ideological or political movement, but
do not make clear exactly where that movement is headed. Instead of providing
answers to the modern dilemma, our artists document the polarities
and the indecisions and leave the search for answer to the individual viewer.
Artists
Amanda Barile Han Han Li
Claire Boucher April Martin
Gillian Chang Roxana Parsa
Lila Jiang Chen Jorge Rodrigo Peral Posada
Zachary Elliot William Robinson
Danae Kaklamanos Aquil Virani
Ivy Wong
Fall 2008: Some of Their Parts
Didactic panel
It is very likely that you’ve encountered this expression before. It is also very
likely that you’ve noticed that the spelling of this expression’s first word
has been altered from “sum” to “some.” Indeed, this change is both
deliberate and appropriate in the context of the Fridge Door Gallery’s
fourth exhibition: a multi-faceted examination of the human body
at once complete and in fragments – in “parts.”
likely that you’ve noticed that the spelling of this expression’s first word
has been altered from “sum” to “some.” Indeed, this change is both
deliberate and appropriate in the context of the Fridge Door Gallery’s
fourth exhibition: a multi-faceted examination of the human body
at once complete and in fragments – in “parts.”
The experience of living within one’s body is entirely subjective to the body’s
owner and thus appropriately described as embodiment. That is,
the experience of being embodied is differently perceived from
individual to individual, and this exhibition attempts to demonstrate this
notion. For example, the experience of a body in fragments for some artists
is physically evident, while others connote the embodiment in more latent and
abstract ways, such as through the medium of their artworks.
owner and thus appropriately described as embodiment. That is,
the experience of being embodied is differently perceived from
individual to individual, and this exhibition attempts to demonstrate this
notion. For example, the experience of a body in fragments for some artists
is physically evident, while others connote the embodiment in more latent and
abstract ways, such as through the medium of their artworks.
During the curatorial process, the Fridge Door Gallery found itself repeatedly
thinking about anatomy and biology, two fields of study that have
been based on scientific fact and historically perceived as objective.
The Fridge Door Gallery quickly understood why it was so fascinated
with these fields of study, as their “objective” nature is heavily contrasted
with the subjective notion of embodiment. In other words, a phenomenological
binary surrounds the body, and the Fridge Door Gallery hopes
that Some Of Their Parts successfully manages to deconstruct this binary.
thinking about anatomy and biology, two fields of study that have
been based on scientific fact and historically perceived as objective.
The Fridge Door Gallery quickly understood why it was so fascinated
with these fields of study, as their “objective” nature is heavily contrasted
with the subjective notion of embodiment. In other words, a phenomenological
binary surrounds the body, and the Fridge Door Gallery hopes
that Some Of Their Parts successfully manages to deconstruct this binary.
As previously mentioned, the exhibited artists harbour different opinions
on the experience of embodiment. However, it is precisely this plethora
of perspectives on the notion of embodiment that makes the exhibition
so multi-faceted. The Fridge Door Gallery believes it has created
an accurate portrayal of human embodiment through the multiplicity
of perspectives exhibited as well as through the Gallery’s self-referentiality —
that is, of one’s embodiment within an art exhibition. The totality of this
endeavour is thus a portrait of the different parts involved in
embodiment created by the sum of each participant’s “parts.”
on the experience of embodiment. However, it is precisely this plethora
of perspectives on the notion of embodiment that makes the exhibition
so multi-faceted. The Fridge Door Gallery believes it has created
an accurate portrayal of human embodiment through the multiplicity
of perspectives exhibited as well as through the Gallery’s self-referentiality —
that is, of one’s embodiment within an art exhibition. The totality of this
endeavour is thus a portrait of the different parts involved in
embodiment created by the sum of each participant’s “parts.”
Winter 2008: Monomania
Didactic panel
Welcome to the second exhibition organized by the Fridge Door Gallery, a space dedicated to
representing McGill student artists and curators. As the name suggests, the Fridge Door Gallery
aims to honour the practice of decorating family refrigerators with student art. By adopting a similar
aesthetic, we too are able to celebrate student artists at McGill University.
representing McGill student artists and curators. As the name suggests, the Fridge Door Gallery
aims to honour the practice of decorating family refrigerators with student art. By adopting a similar
aesthetic, we too are able to celebrate student artists at McGill University.
The Fridge Door Gallery plays a huge role in a student community that fosters the fine arts at McGill.
Collectively, we continue to build a reputation, garner support from faculty and students alike,
and have fun along the way. Bringing supporters of the arts together, the vernissage has become
one of the campus’ most anticipated and exciting events.
Collectively, we continue to build a reputation, garner support from faculty and students alike,
and have fun along the way. Bringing supporters of the arts together, the vernissage has become
one of the campus’ most anticipated and exciting events.
Last semester, we asked the artists what they wanted to see in our new permanent space. The student
curators also had a lot of expectations and ideas for how they wanted the new space to be used.
Ideas such as including artworks from professors, or having shows with one or two artists were
brought forth, and this is something we hope will happen in the near future. This semester, however,
we have tried to include as many McGill student artists as possible. We have also tried to include
as many different forms of art, everything from painting, photography, installation, and even sound art!
curators also had a lot of expectations and ideas for how they wanted the new space to be used.
Ideas such as including artworks from professors, or having shows with one or two artists were
brought forth, and this is something we hope will happen in the near future. This semester, however,
we have tried to include as many McGill student artists as possible. We have also tried to include
as many different forms of art, everything from painting, photography, installation, and even sound art!
The permanent space has proven challenging, as we have had to start from scratch in terms of exhibiting
strategies and room capacity. More importantly, however, there have been a lot of improvements, for example
in how we choose the art works and our relationship with the artists. Right now, the new space seems to hold no
limit of creative possibilities. It will be accessible to a wider range of students and it is truly and place to call our own.
strategies and room capacity. More importantly, however, there have been a lot of improvements, for example
in how we choose the art works and our relationship with the artists. Right now, the new space seems to hold no
limit of creative possibilities. It will be accessible to a wider range of students and it is truly and place to call our own.
The name of this semester’s exhibition—Monomania—is dedicated to the undeniably human tendency to
obsess over specificity. These obsessions borderline on fixation, and threaten to wholly consume the
individual. So what can come of obsession in an artistic context? This idea is as much a description
of the curators’ minds as it is of the artists included in the exhibition.
obsess over specificity. These obsessions borderline on fixation, and threaten to wholly consume the
individual. So what can come of obsession in an artistic context? This idea is as much a description
of the curators’ minds as it is of the artists included in the exhibition.
The newly established Fine Arts Council has helped fund our exhibition and vernissage for the past couple
semesters, and we even have a couple members of the Fridge Door family in the Council itself.
We love being a part of a wider student initiative to make the fine arts an important and established part
of McGill. Their support has been indispensable, and has helped us to provide a place
for student artists and curators to come together.
semesters, and we even have a couple members of the Fridge Door family in the Council itself.
We love being a part of a wider student initiative to make the fine arts an important and established part
of McGill. Their support has been indispensable, and has helped us to provide a place
for student artists and curators to come together.
Sadly, we will be saying good bye to a couple members of the Fridge Door family. The group
we have put together has worked together incredibly well, and hopefully the remaining
coordinators will find new and enthusiastic to keep up the dynamic of the group.
we have put together has worked together incredibly well, and hopefully the remaining
coordinators will find new and enthusiastic to keep up the dynamic of the group.
We hope that you enjoy our third exhibition, Monomania, and that the Fridge Door
Gallery will continue to support the fine arts community of McGill University.
Gallery will continue to support the fine arts community of McGill University.
Fall 2007: Land(e)scapes
Didactic panel
Welcome to the Fridge Door Gallery, the first exhibition space for McGill
student-artists and curators. Founded by a committee of art history
students, this project aims to foster and promote visual artists at McGill,
who have long been without a means to showcase their creativity. As such,
we felt it was a necessity to create this space, honouring
those students who identify as artists as much as academics.
Additionally, this space provides a welcome opportunity for those students
interested in curatorial work to gain valuable, practical experience.
student-artists and curators. Founded by a committee of art history
students, this project aims to foster and promote visual artists at McGill,
who have long been without a means to showcase their creativity. As such,
we felt it was a necessity to create this space, honouring
those students who identify as artists as much as academics.
Additionally, this space provides a welcome opportunity for those students
interested in curatorial work to gain valuable, practical experience.
The name pays homage to the decorated refrigerator door of our youths, whose
curator found room to feature a range of artworks in a variety of mediums, styles,
and subject matters, without passing judgment. This gallery aims to follow
the fridge door aesthetic, promoting variety and diversity. With no overlying theme,
or specific requirements, we hope to present to the viewer a true representation
of the variety of artwork McGill students produce. We are extremely honoured
and proud of all our selected artists and their work.
curator found room to feature a range of artworks in a variety of mediums, styles,
and subject matters, without passing judgment. This gallery aims to follow
the fridge door aesthetic, promoting variety and diversity. With no overlying theme,
or specific requirements, we hope to present to the viewer a true representation
of the variety of artwork McGill students produce. We are extremely honoured
and proud of all our selected artists and their work.
Though created by art history students, the exhibition is representative of the diverse
student population of McGill University. The variety of submissions came
not only from the Arts faculty, but also from the Science and Music faculties,
at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. In a way, this
represents a microcosm of the university: a product of McGill’s unique ability
to gather many different people into one unified student body.
student population of McGill University. The variety of submissions came
not only from the Arts faculty, but also from the Science and Music faculties,
at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. In a way, this
represents a microcosm of the university: a product of McGill’s unique ability
to gather many different people into one unified student body.
In the future, we wish to find a permanent gallery space to exhibit student
art throughout the academic year. We hope that having planted the seed,
this tradition will flourish in the future and that many other art history
students will be given the chance to curate an exhibition and that many
other artists will have a venue to exhibit their work. We feel that this
would prove to be a valuable opportunity for both the student art
community as well as for McGill itself, encouraging an appreciation of the
visual arts beyond the scope of the lecture hall and into the arenas of
art production and consumption.
art throughout the academic year. We hope that having planted the seed,
this tradition will flourish in the future and that many other art history
students will be given the chance to curate an exhibition and that many
other artists will have a venue to exhibit their work. We feel that this
would prove to be a valuable opportunity for both the student art
community as well as for McGill itself, encouraging an appreciation of the
visual arts beyond the scope of the lecture hall and into the arenas of
art production and consumption.
