MICHAEL SNOW

I'm ashamed to admit that up until this year my exposure to Michael Snow has only included his ubiquitous Walking Woman and the Canada geese flying through the Eatons Centre.  Thankfully, several Toronto institutions are celebrating this internationally renowned artist, providing me with an education on one of Canada's national treasures.  My interest  was caught first at the Textile Museum by his moving video piece Solar Breath (Northern Caryatids), 2002, and broadened by Objects of Vision at the Art Gallery of Ontario.  Curated by Georgiana Uhlyarik, this collection of abstract sculptures from the 1950s, the late 1960s and 1982, all seek to direct the viewer's eye.  Entering the gallery I was most struck by the perfect pairing of the architecture and the works, creating a formalist playground that welcomes the viewer with clear direction, enticing shapes and an offer of participation.  This show is fun, you can't help but feel a pleasure in the materials and an energy in their production.  As abstract sculpture finds itself in vogue again, it's nice to see an early adopter, a champion of this medium, amongst the younger generation of contemporary artists.  Objects and Vision is on view until December 9th.

Photography by Craig Boyko