Dr. Margaret (Marmie) Perkins Hess Gallery
The Everyday Future
September 20 – October 27, 2018

An exhibition and outdoor project by artist José Luis Torres
Presented by the University of Lethbridge Art Gallery

Artist: José Luis Torres
Curated by Josephine Mills

Opening Reception: Thursday, September 20, 4 – 6pm

Open Select Saturdays:
September 29: 11am – 4pm
October 13: 12 – 4pm
October 27: 10am – 4pm

Closed Sundays & Holidays

Curatorial Statement
How does it feel to be displaced? What does it do to your sense of identity, of who you are, when you lose your home? How can we talk about these issues if we don’t share the same language?

According to the United Nations, 16.2 million people were newly displaced last year and there is currently a total of 65.3 million displaced people in the world. These are people forced to leave their homes because of violence, persecution, and conflict. In addition, there are also people forced to live in temporary shelter because of disasters caused by climate change.

Trying to grasp the scope of displacement, let alone trying to help make a difference. Can be overwhelming : a problem so large and complex seems impossible to address. We can start somewhere : we can start here. The Art Gallery has invited artist José Luis Torres to create an exhibition that might assist in shifting perspectives and opening up conversations about immigration, refugees, and displacement; about making temporary shelter into a home.

Originally from Argentina, now living in Québec City, Torres makes epic exhibitions from ordinary materials — things from construction sites, offices, and other parts of our regular environment. By taking these items out of their usual locations or away from their intended use, by turning them upside down and inside out, Torres encourages people to pay attention to the stuff that makes up our lives. From there, it becomes easier to see things we take for granted, to question assumptions, and perhaps to find paths to address the big issues of our times.

Torres’ project for Lethbridge is called the Everyday Future. The exhibition runs in the Hess Gallery through Saturday October 27, 2018. There is also a temporary outdoor project, built around a vintage camper trailer, that is located in the Grove, adjacent to Markin Hall from September 26 to September 29 and October 1 to October 4, 11 am to 4 pm each of those days. Drop by the outdoor trailer to draw or knit and chat with art gallery staff. Admission is free, all are welcome.

– Josephine Mills, Director/Curator

José Luis Torres and the Art Gallery would like to thank the following:
Brian Haayema and the staff at Wayne’s Metal Ventures, North Lethbridge
James McDowell, Arlene Curran, Donal Atkinson, Patty Baun, and Steve Benson (U of L Drama Dept.)
Vern Leckie, Rick Baceda and Mick Nutley (U of L Facilities)
Teresa Heyburn, Lynn Hopkins and Amanda Epp (U of L Drama Costume Shop)

Admission is free, all are welcome. No art making experience needed.

The exhibition is located in the Hess Gallery, on level 6 of the Centre for the Arts, University of Lethbridge.
September 20 – October 27, 2018. Gallery open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30pm, and open until 8:30 pm on Thursdays.

The Displacement Project
A 1973 camper trailer will be located in “the Grove” – a small field behind Markin Hall on the University of Lethbridge campus.
Drop by the outdoor trailer to draw or knit and chat with art gallery staff.
September 26 – October 4, 2018
11 am to 4 pm
Thursday until 8:30 pm
Closed Sunday

Spanish only walking tour, Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 7:00 pm in the Grove.

(Image a collage of two images found at: https://journeytotheplasticocean.wordpress.com/ & Komfort Travel Trailer Ad. circa 1970s)