For immediate release
September 8, 2014
The Open Studio draws parallels at new photo exhibit
SUDBURY – Cambrian College’s Open Studio launches the 2014-15 season with Parallels, a photography exhibit that juxtaposes ways of life in two countries that are oceans apart. During their travels in China and Italy over the summer, Genna Bu and Neli Nenkova, both students in Cambrian’s Graphic Design program, explored life through the lens, examining 12 topics, including art, music, architecture, food, relationships and sport. Their works reveal the diversity, uniqueness and similarities between these two distinct cultures.
“A 12-hour flight and 7,562 km separate China from Italy, but photography is like an international language that illustrates different aspects of people’s lives, as well as the spirit of a country,” Bu explains. “More than simply recording, my photos (of China) try to express humanities and the human experience. My photos point to the details that can be represented visually, which depict aspects of Chinese culture.”
Bu was drawn to the symmetry and decorative details of traditional Chinese architecture, which she says illustrate the beauty of traditional art, as well as the history of the people, the roots of the Chinese spirit and the central values of the society – humility, caution, quietude and sober-mindedness.
“We all share the same dreams, the same feelings and the same emotions. Our realities may differ, but people are alike,” Nenkova adds. “Our photos seize the details of everyday life in China and Italy – the mundane, yet beautiful, aspects of our worlds. Our photos seek to explain the bigger picture and how all pieces fit together.”
Nenkova is a professional visual artist with more than 15 years’ experience. Her paintings are in private, state and institutional collections in Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Poland, Netherland, Spain, Russia, Turkey, Germany, South Africa, Canada and the United States. One of her paintings belongs to the contemporary art collection of the Vatican.
Ron Beltrame, the Program Coordinator of Cambrian’s Graphic Design program, helped curate the exhibit.
Exhibition details:
Where: The Open Studio, 93 Cedar St., suite 303
When: Runs from September 27 to October 23; public reception on Friday, September 26 from 7-9 p.m. On Saturday, September 27, the Studio hosts an interactive art-making activity from 12-4 p.m., in conjunction with Culture Days, a Canada-wide celebration of arts and culture
Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 12-3 p.m.; Saturday from 12-4 p.m.; and by appointment
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