Ice Follies 2016
February 13th - 27th, 2016
Theme: Ojichaagobiishin: It reflects in water
A call to action for other groups to engage the festival by responding to water as the source of all life on earth. With the imminent threat of land development and pipelines looming over Canada, both Aboriginal Territories and Municipalities turn their attention towards “Life”. Without the fresh water sources such as Nipissing nothing can survive. “Ojichaagobiishin” forces us to reflect on water and look at what we see. Looking in water reflects our own image back forcing us to look at ourselves. In order for the world we live in to change towards a safer, healthier place, we have to change ourselves.
Jihee Min, A Humble Trawling, 2016
Presented by Gallery 44
For A Humble Trawling, Jihee Min intervenes a giant fishing net referencing the controversies of the fishing industry and the negative environmental impact caused when humans take natural resources for economic gain. Through a laborious process, the artist translates a photographic image onto the net by sewing by hand a grayscale image of hands. Each square of the net translates into a pixel to form an image, referencing digital photography.
The image drawn onto the net is of two hands coming together to create a cup inside the palms. This hand gesture is a very instinctive way of accepting water, suggesting openness to receive nature gracefully.
This installation gives homage to Mother Nature reminding viewers to protect what is visible on the surface as well as what is at the core of the earth. While water supplies diminish around the world, threatening human’s existence, industries continue to pollute our waterways to satisfy human greed.
During the course of the festival, the net is exposed to unpredictable weather conditions and is expected catch snow and ice to transform with the elements of nature.
Artist Bio:
Jihee Min’s practice employs narrative strategies and autobiographical experiences in a wide range of media, such as sculpture, installation, performance, photography and drawing. Based on her personal experiences of Korean Diaspora in both Quebecois and English-Canadian environments, Min’s interest is to transcend stereotypical issues of culture, language, memory and geography into a unique enviroment where artist, work, and viewers have no boundaries. Jihee Min obtained MFA in Studio Arts at Concordia University (2008) and BFA with Honours in Sculpture & Installation at Ontario College of Art & Design (2005). Min has presented several solo exhibitions in galleries across Canada, and her work has been featured internationally in group exhibitions and festivals. She has received various grants from Canada Council for the Arts and Ontario Arts Council, as well as numerous awards and scholarships including Concordia University’s MFA Studio Arts Award and the Sir Edmund Walker Scholarship from Ontario College of Art & Design. Her work is part of various public collections such as the city of Toronto, St-Bruno, and Rauma (Finland). Her work can be seen at www.jiheemin.com
Image Gallery:
