One Tree Comes Home, Another Leaves

Its been 25 years since I was last in Vancouver BC and my two days here were full of great Canadian photography.  The real purpose of the trip was to return "Tree Stump, Namaimo, BC" back to Roy Arden, the artist who created it 15 years ago.  Incidentally, Roy's new work will be featured in the spring issue of Blind Spot magazine.  I was a bit sentimental thinking about the artwork and its travels over the last 15 years before once again meeting its maker.  Although I didn't get a chance to meet Roy (schedule mix up) I did get a get a peek at a terrific Karin Bubas at Monte Clark Gallery.  On Sunday, Bryan and I took in "Acting the Part - Photography as Theatre" at the Vancouver Art Gallery.  The exhibition featured works from the nineteenth century to present and featured major pieces by contemporary artists Cindy Sherman, Jeff Wall, Bill Viola, Gregory Credwson (sell NOW), Rodney Graham, Scott McFarland and many others.  The catalog is a well-organized history of the use of the staged scene in photography.
Speaking of Rodney Graham, the gallery store has this excellent limited edition print (at right) by Graham available.  The piece priced at $475 CAN  (about $425 US) is in an edition of 500.  It is a stunning print and all you modernist photography lovers out there should take note of its formal beauty as well as its conceptual depth.  I bought one on the spot. Its the tree that's coming back to PDX with me.