Page 38 - EXPOTIME!Sept2017

From the newsdesk

● According to the findings of a recent study by the As- Rennie, the donation is one of the largest of contempo-
sociation of Art Museum Directors, on average women rary art ever received by the Gallery. Some of the iconic
museum directors in Canada and the US earn roughly pieces were created by internationally renowned artists,
29% less than their male colleagues. such as the Vancouver-based Brian Jungen, Damian Mop-
pett, Rodney Graham, Ian Wallace, and Geoffrey Farm-
● The new Palestinian Museum in Birzeit (Bir Zait), Pal- er, who is representing Canada at the Venice Biennale
estine, is an independent museum under the direction of in 2017. Rennie, a real estate marketer and art advisor,
Mahmoud Hawari dedicated to supporting an open and alsready donated "Court" by Brian Jungen to the Gallery
dynamic Palestinian culture nationally and international- in 2012. His collection, one of the largest collections of
ly. The Museum is a flagship project of the Welfare Asso- contemporary art in Canada, has evolved over a number
ciation Taawon (http://www.taawon.org/). The Museum of years to focus on works tackling issues of identity,
presents new perspectives on Palestinian history, society social commentary and injustice, and the challenges of
and culture. It offers spaces for creative ventures, educa- appropriation, painting, photography and film. In ap-
tional programmes and innovative research. The inaugu- preciation of Bob Rennie’s generous gift, the National
ral exhibition "Jerusalem lives - Tahya Al Quds" attempts Gallery of Canada will name the Upper Contemporary
to examine the city of Jerusalem as a case study meta- exhibition gallery (B204), the Galerie Rennie Gallery.
phorically representing globalization and its failures, and This important donation enriches and complements the
find answers to inspire a better future. Veering away from Gallery’s collection by these artists.
clichés, the exhibition will expose the neoliberal colonial
and imperial challenges imposed by the Israeli occupa- ● In association with its pre-launch programs, Remai
tion that Jerusalem and its people are facing. Four chap- Modern has been inviting artists to realize original pro-
ters explore the concept, beginning with a multidisci- jects exclusively for online viewing. On the first day of
plinary exhibition displaying audiovisual materials which every month, a new work appears on Remai Modern’s
demonstrate the emanation, effects and limitations of homepage. Through these web commissions, the muse-
globalization in the city of Jerusalem. Commissioned or um considers its website as an extension of its physical
refabricated site-specific artworks by 18 internation- space and onsite program. Mobile and experimental,
al artists and local form the second chapter outdoors, this online gallery allows for direct, personal encoun-
in the grounds and gardens of the Palestinian Museum. ters with art while connecting artists and audiences
In the third chapter, the public programme is aimed at across the globe. The web commissions are curated by
supporting civic and non-governmental associations in Gregory Burke, Executive Director & CEO, and Sandra
the city that have adopted an enduring methodology of Guimarães, Director of Programs & Chief Curator at Re-
collective struggle. The fourth chapter, the JERUSALEM mai Modern. https://remaimodern.org/pre-launch-pro-
LIVES publication focuses on knowledge production as grams#web-commissions
a frontier of resistance. The Palestinian Museum is situ- ● Paul Klee's key work "Sumpflegende"["Swamp leg-
ated at Museum Street (off Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Street) end"] of 1919 can permanently remain in the Städtische
Birzeit, Palestine (T +970 2 294 1948, F +970 2 294 1936. Galerie im Lenbachhaus in Munich where it is in the col-
info@palmuseum.org, www.palmuseum.org) lection since 1982. Left by Sophie Lissitzky-Küppers in

● The National Gallery of Canada announces as major the 1920s in Germany, the descendants had negotiated
donation: 197 paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media with the city of Munich and compromised with the city.
objects made by some of the most well-known Canadian The Kulturstiftung der Länder supported the deal of the
artists happened alongside Canada's 150th anniversary. important work in the collection.
The donator is the businessman and art collector Bob

Palestinian Museum, Birzeit. Photo: Museum

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EXPOTIME!, issue August/September 2017