Festival on the Rocks

The Art Gallery of Alberta commissioned Canadian artist Damian Moppett to create an installation for long-term display in the AGA Atrium. This work is intended to be a scaled-up sketch that occupies the space in the AGA's atrium as if it was drawn in the air. Shapes and lines are fabricated out of cut aluminum plate, which have been arranged and painted to recreate a 'fast' artistic abstract drawing. Moppett's recent large-scale public sculptures have all been centered around the idea of making a relatively 'quick' drawing or painting into a large three-dimensional sculpture while still trying to convey the immediate graphic simplicity of the original drawing or painting. This work will maintain the qualities of a sketch with drawing materials and blow them up to architectural or larger-than-life scale.

In the heart of an ancient empire lies a tale waiting to be told, and this February, the world is invited to embark on an extraordinary journey through history. Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia, an international feature exhibition, promises an immersive experience that unveils the secrets of one of the greatest empires the world has even known. Become a part of the Angkor narrative with interactive activities that let you build a temple, touch ancient sculptures, and flex your archaeological detective skills. It’s not just a spectator sport; it’s an opportunity to be an active participant in the unravelling of Angkor’s mysteries. 

Boreal Fortress uses images of trees, bark, weeds and detritus from our aspen parkland ecosystem that are made uncanny through mirroring techniques. This installation towers above Main Hall and its massive scale is designed to make the images of trees feel strange yet familiar. This cluster of trees suggests a secret passageway or a swirling vortex. However, this is an illusionistic fictional entryway into an elusive space that cannot be entered. This fortress gives a feeling of discovery but confronts viewers with a space they cannot enter and forces you to think about what we can and cannot access. Boreal Fortress evokes a sense of ancient connection to environmental knowledge that lays beyond the conscious mind.