Minimalist Men’s Club
Different strains of Minimalist and Conceptual art inform three Toronto exhibitions currently on view.
#47 The Whole World
Derek Sullivan, 2009. Coloured pencil on paper, 135 x 105 cm (53 x 41-_ inches). Courtesy Jessica Bradley Art + Projects, Toronto.Derek Sullivan
Jessica Bradley Art + Projects
To November 14
www.jessicabradleyartprojects.com
Toronto-based Derek Sullivan’s current exhibition, Waiting Game, includes hard-edged abstractions on paper and a sculpture teeming with references to the history of modernist architecture and design, including that of the Bauhaus and the textiles of Anni Albers. While recognizing these references helps decipher the exhibition, the energy of Sullivan’s drawing in even the smaller works, as well as his eye for colour, draws even casual viewers in.
Upcoming exhibition: Ben Reeves, Nov 21–Dec 19.
Untitled (Stack)
Michael Dumontier, 2007.
Acrylic and paper on masonite.
Courtesy MKG127, Toronto.Michael Dumontier
MKG127
To November 14
Michael Dumontier is one of the founding members of the Winnipeg-based Royal Art Lodge, which folded at the end of last year. Based on this exhibition (his first solo show in Canada ) of deceptively simple wall-mounted sculptures, Dumontier was the group’s minimalist. Much of the imagery here was derived from Dumontier’s collection of old children’s psychology books, while the sculptures of letter-sized and manila envelopes surprise first, and then charm.
The Title is an Arrow
Micah Lexier, 2009, installation view.
Courtesy BirchLibralato, Toronto.Micah Lexier
Birch Libralato
To November 10
Micah Lexier seems to be everywhere these days, and that’s a good thing. The long-time conceptual artist’s sculptures are always a delight because they’re often infused by an underlying playfulness. This exhibition, The Title is an Arrow, features a collection of wall-mounted, water-jet cut aluminum arrows engraved with different phrases such as “This arrow is a colour chosen by my nine-year-old downstairs neighbour, Olivier” or “This arrow is pointing at an outlet”. In this way, Lexier cleverly displaces the subject of the work from the physical object to the spaces beyond it. In addition, Lexier has mounted several arrows at different galleries around the city, including LE and Angell, so keep your eyes peeled for them.
Upcoming exhibition: Gina Rorai/Renee Van Halm, Nov 21–Dec 19.
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