Performance: Hwy-2
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Exhibition: Ledge Gallery, Arts Commons
Friday, September 7, 2012 - Friday, November 23, 2012
Artist talk: Southern Alberta Art Gallery
Sunday, October 21, 2012 — 4:00pm
Panel Discussion: Alberta College of Art + Design
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Spearheaded by Dick Averns, the 90kmh Economy Drive is a slow driving movement that creates a more sustainable community among motor-vehicle users. It proposes a mass performance art project that deploys an art ‘multiple’ — a green maple leaf decal affixed to the rear of one’s motor vehicle — to demonstrate a commitment to reduced highway driving speed, and with it, reduced fuel consumption and pollution. This project is registered with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, which trademarks services including psychogeography and autoethnography, and dovetails with the content of Averns’ practice that investigates the commodification of space: probing how spaces are bought, sold, exchanged, valued and contested.
The 90kmh Economy Drive is featured in M:ST in conjunction with a solo show at Calgary’s Ledge Gallery in Arts Commons. The show entails a sculptural and performative installation: part office, part exhibition, and part trade show stand. Neon sculptures complement infographics featuring depictions of Peak Oil, Canada’s gasoline and energy consumption, statistics on driving speeds, and details on how to participate in the 90kmh Economy Drive. With support from Calgary 2012, the 90kmh Economy Drive is distributing free vehicle decals, enabling anyone who wishes to transform their own car into a vehicle for public performance.
On Sunday, October 21, the 90kmh Economy Drive will lead a caravan south from Calgary via Hwy 2, transporting artists and audience to an M:ST Cabaret in Lethbridge. Traveling at a fuel efficient 90 kmh — close to the optimum speed to maximize engine fuel efficiency — members of the public on Hwy 2 will also be encouraged to join the convoy.
Artist and writer Dick Averns (Canada) has exhibited, performed and presented across Canada and in the US, Australia, the UK and Egypt. As one of only five artists selected nationally for the 2008–2009 Canadian Forces Artists Program — a federally supported initiative enabling artists to work alongside Canadian military — he was deployed to the Middle East, culminating in a 2011 solo show War Art Now in the Founders’ Gallery at The Military Museums. Currently he is artist in residence at The Pembina Institute, supported by Calgary 2012 — Cultural Capital of Canada, working on a sustainable transportation public art project The 90kmh Economy Drive. Significant exhibitions include Ambivalence Blvd at the Vernon Public Art Gallery, and Art & Activism at YYZ. Born in London, UK, Dick is based in Calgary where he teaches Sculpture, Liberal Studies, First Year Studies and Drawing at the Alberta College of Art + Design. He is also a committed community activist, family guy and gardener.
Co-presenters
