Contemporary Calgary — Attraction in Calgary

Date night, with my wife. The kids are with the babysitters. Let's check out the Contemporary Calgary Art Center. My wife knows I love local artists and support various artworks I find in the world in my travels.

Parking, great at $2.

Front Desk Lady, great, informative, and pleasant.

We had not been in the building since Body Works was on the then Science Center: Spark. It hits the feels.

There were three "exhibits." I use the term loosely. At the time, I hadn't realized I had angered some god, and this was my punishment.

We walked to the center of the building. Large plastic antacid tablets littered the 2nd floor. A very pleasant staffer told us where the art exhibits were. The art exhibits were carefully hidden inside the labyrinth of the building.

The first installation was a meditation room where one could lay on a bean bag chair and see what life was like through the eyes of a hummingbird. The narration reminded me of the slow cadence of a person on a ridiculous amount of opium, not personal experience, just adjacent to me, thereby allowing me to make an accurate comparison. The second sign something was awry, the hummingbird was in a constant survival mode where if it doesn't eat it dies. I suppose it's a true statement, but one could apply it to almost any living animal. The video was shot in Super 8. Third issue. The editing and visual representation was horrid. I have no idea if it's accurate to actual hummingbird vision. I googled "what the world looks like through a hummingbirds eyes." According to Google, hummingbirds see more colors than humans and have greater detail in focus. The Super 8 movie looked like it was edited by someone on qualudes.

Next.

We went through a hallway with great artwork from Grade 12 students. It was decent notably the on artist using a 3rd motif.

The audio visual installation was, and I'm quoting here, " edited by someone who had discovered Microsoft paint and a freeware video editor on the internet." The only thought it provoked was the origin of my name (means from the Roman God of War, Mars, or Ares if you follow the Greek Pantheon).

Final installation. The feature artist is June Clark. In her own admission, her work is derivative of other artists. There is no trace of originality at all. It was awful. The work seemed a cry for help to escape the banality of her own mediocrity.

Would I pay money again for this? No, it is an awful art installation with little, currently left to redeem it. My heart and mind pine for the future that it could be amazing.

All isn't lost. The one artwork I found cool is the light pole patrons have chosen to self decorate and add their entrance stickers to make a visually interesting changing community artwork. Best part that it is in front of the gallery, and it's free. Posted below from 4 angles that a rank amateur like me...

For awhile I have been looking for a gallery/museum since the Glenbow is currently shutdown. (It has been awhile since I've ventured lol) as little did I know that located at the old location of the science centre is now the home of Contemporary Calgary.

As a fellow creative I have been looking for that spark of inspiration. I found it here, the exhibits change with new artists and in general, it is a beautiful thing to go, feel, and gain more insight.

With technology and AI visual art in all variations is at risk, so please go and support it where you can. Admission is reasonable. 12.00 plus it is right on 7th Ave and 11 ST, right on the train line.

Plan a trip for yourself, plan a date, go with a friend and even family. However, I do not recommend children under 10 years of age. Nothing against it but honestly, they would get bored and I heard a lot of annoyed mothers today get upset over their children being reminded not to touch. I am a parent myself and I see the workers just doing their job. So please, no hate.

I highly recommend and I will likely be purchasing an annual pass so I...

A unique building with great exhibit spaces and a really accessible and friendly staff.

The building is a work of art in itself. There are unique curved lines and textures throughout. The exhibit areas are very well suited to installations of various kinds.

The exhibits are topical and provocative. The staff enhances your time with the pieces and gives the right amount of check ins.

Both visits recently to the museum I found the staff to be extremely helpful and really engaging.

I had the pleasure of talking with staff member Jade who was so passionate and knowledgeable. I observed her on two different occasions in the exhibit space and saw how she greeted guests and offered openers for conversation if desired. I spoke with her about the art pieces and their relationship to our current cultural climate. She was genuine and insightful. She is a true asset to the museum.

The year membership is only double the single admission fee and well worth it. I plan to return...