DECEMBER 2 - 5, 2021
Thursday, December 2, 12:00-5:00pm
Friday, December 3, 12:00-5:00pm
Saturday, December 4, 12:00-5:00pm
Sunday, December 5, 12:00-5:00pm
Admission is free of charge - we ask you to book a time slot.
COMBINE: an art fair
CONVERSATION | COMMUNITY | CONVIVIALITY
A collaboration between Franc Gallery – Griffin Art Projects - Monica Reyes Gallery - Unit 17 – Wil Aballe Art Projects
Panel Registration
Griffin Art Projects is collaborating with four emerging Vancouver gallerists — Franc Gallery, Mónica Reyes Gallery, Unit 17, and Wil Aballe Art Projects — to present the inaugural COMBINE Art Fair from Dec. 2–5, 2021. Located at Griffin’s onsite residency spaces, the four-day event is the first art fair to take place on the North Shore. COMBINE is a platform for new and aspiring collectors to learn about the West Coast art scene, and an opportunity for seasoned collectors to discover the latest local talents.
Distinct from the typical art fair, COMBINE aims to raise awareness about the importance of patronage and foster the development of confident collectors throughout the city. The four gallerists approached Griffin, a collector-driven institution, to found the unique event following the suspension of global fairs in spring 2020. An idea borne of the pandemic, COMBINE highlights the resiliency of artists and demonstrates how art serves the local community. It’s a chance for members of the public to learn and grow alongside the galleries, all of which are less than a decade old. The annual event plans on expanding to exhibitors outside of the province in the future, following an invitation-only model rather than assigning booths by application.
For the inaugural edition, each gallery will present a variety of artists that best represents their programming. Affordable artworks by emerging artists will appeal to first-time buyers, while pieces by more established names will also be available for veteran collectors. Franc Gallery will present works by Matthis Grunsky, Glenn Lewis, and M.E. Sparks. Mónica Reyes Gallery will show Annie Briard, Elisabeth Perrault, Jayce Salloum, and others. Unit 17 will display works by Ezra Gray, Gabrielle L'Hirondelle Hill, Tania Willard, and more. Wil Aballe Art Projects will present Kate Metten, Daniel Giordano, Lyse Lemieux, Charles Campbell, and others.
The art fair will be accompanied by a thematic exhibition curated by Baldissera. Titled PIVOT, the group show will take place in the residency’s “bedroom” space, which will be transformed into a small gallery. An online panel discussion with the fair’s founders will take place on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 1pm. Co-hosted by Griffin and Contemporary Art Society of Vancouver, the talk will feature Wil Aballe (Wil Aballe Art Projects), Tobin Gibson (Unit 17), Ron Regan (Franc Gallery), Mónica Reyes (Mónica Reyes Gallery), and Lisa Baldissera (Griffin Art Projects).
The first edition of COMBINE Art Fair is dedicated to Andrew Gruft (1939–2021), a prominent member of the Canadian architectural community and a major collector of photography. Gruft and his wife, Claudia, founded NOVA Gallery, a pioneering commercial photography gallery that was the first to exhibit the work of Jeff Wall. Their collection was the focus of the Vancouver Art Gallery’s 2005 exhibition Real Pictures: Photographs from the Collection of Claudia Beck and Andrew Gruft; later the duo donated more than 550 photo-based works to the VAG which continues with their recent 2020 donation of almost 40 artworks.
COVID-19 protocols
All visitors must be double vaccinated and show proof upon entry. Cleaning and social distancing safety protocols will be followed to ensure a safe event for all. Admission is free, but must be booked in advance at griffinartprojects.ca/combine. Entry will be timed in 30-minute increments, with a maximum capacity of 10 guests.
Sponsor
AXA XL is one of the largest fine art carriers in the world. We understand a collector's passion for fine art and collectibles as well as their desire for expertise, excellent service and confidentiality. Our fine art experts have built a solid foundation based on years of industry experience in understanding the value, both financial and sentimental, when it comes to safeguarding a collection. AXA XL maintains the philosophy that art should be appreciated, shared and secured to benefit future generations.
AXA XL is one of the largest fine art carriers in the world. We understand a collector's passion for fine art and collectibles as well as their desire for expertise, excellent service and confidentiality. Our fine art experts have built a solid foundation based on years of industry experience in understanding the value, both financial and sentimental, when it comes to safeguarding a collection. AXA XL maintains the philosophy that art should be appreciated, shared and secured to benefit future generations.
Congratulations to Kriss Munsya on winning the
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KRISS MUNSYA
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GHOSTS IN THE MACHINE | NFT by Jessica Bushey
[born-digital video with original score 00:59 seconds]
Video still "Ghosts in the Machine" [video still] | Jessica Bushey
“Ghosts in the Machine” captures the deterioration of a 2009 MacBook Pro and its vivid struggle against its inevitable obsolescence. The spontaneous digital spectrum expressions that make up this video randomly appeared on the monitor in its final functioning days, revealing the colorful death of a digital ecosystem.
As such, the artwork is considered “born digital” in that its images were created by the computer itself. These glitchy, ghost-like apparitions were captured by the artist and remixed – accompanied by an original score – into this one-of-a-kind digital artwork.
The artwork is available as an NFT on OpenSea until October 19, 2021. OpenSea is the world's first and largest NFT marketplace.
Jessica Bushey, PhD is a multidisciplinary artist whose works explore the formation of identity and memory through virtual communications. She is a recipient of awards from the prestigious Canada Council for the Arts and the Social Sciences Humanities Research Council. Her ongoing research into preserving digital archives and artificial intelligence has inspired her most recent artwork, “Ghosts in the Machine”.
As such, the artwork is considered “born digital” in that its images were created by the computer itself. These glitchy, ghost-like apparitions were captured by the artist and remixed – accompanied by an original score – into this one-of-a-kind digital artwork.
The artwork is available as an NFT on OpenSea until October 19, 2021. OpenSea is the world's first and largest NFT marketplace.
Jessica Bushey, PhD is a multidisciplinary artist whose works explore the formation of identity and memory through virtual communications. She is a recipient of awards from the prestigious Canada Council for the Arts and the Social Sciences Humanities Research Council. Her ongoing research into preserving digital archives and artificial intelligence has inspired her most recent artwork, “Ghosts in the Machine”.
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PhotoED Magazine | Featuring ANNIE BRIARD
FEATURED ARTWORKS
ABOUT THE GALLERY
Mónica Reyes Gallery (MRG) has been backing the growth and development of emerging and mid-career artists at its current location since 2013. Serving the local and international art scene, MRG promotes artist initiatives invested in shaping the economies of art and culture. Located in the heart of Strathcona, the gallery is uniquely positioned to create dialogues with the artists and cultural engineers who call the neighbourhood home.
With a commitment to advancing the cultural capital of the city the gallery has since partnered with Pattison to present The Billboard Project (2020-2021), extending the public’s access to local artists and treats viewers to approachable, yet thought-provoking contemporary art on the billboard. Featuring Kathy Slade, Annie Briard, Jack Chapman, Jessica Bushey and Robert Kleyn, during a time when an in-person visit at galleries or museums was less possible due to the pandemic.
Founder and director Mónica Reyes has been a longstanding figure in the Vancouver art scene having served as Vice President of the Contemporary Art Society of Vancouver, the Board of Latincouver. Today she sits on the Board of the Strathcona Board Improvement Assosiation. Reyes is committed to investing in art that gives voice to the cultural diversity of the Pacific Northwest.
MRG's regular exhibition program and special events provide artists with opportunities for artists to show work that includes range of practices from more traditional forms of painting, sculpture and photography to experimental video, durational performance and installation.
NEWS FEED
CONTACT US
opening hours: mondays and tuesdays 11am-2pm; saturdays 12-4pm; and by appointment
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602 E Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 1R1
T. 604.339.2096
www.monicareyesgallery.com
mr@monicareyesgallery.com