Montreal Rampage sat down with Professor Cornett and Composer Paul Andrew Macdonald to discuss the art exhibition “Composition”. Cornett is the curator, but also teaches at universities across Europe and North America and holds a PhD in religious studies. His interests in education and spirituality led him to connect the physical and the sensorial skills used in education to create an exhibition which combines visual arts and music. As a result, the Canadian classical composer and guitarist served as guest of honour.
Andrew Paul Macdonald was invited to play his own compositions with his guitar while the artworks were displayed in front of the audience. His latest composition “Visual Symphony” was performed in Italy and is currently played in Montreal. The composer took the time to talk to each artist of the exhibition and fully tried to understand the implications of their art. His openness led him to connect and feel inspired. He has mentioned to have already composed based on a single painting : Red Guru by David Sorensen. This small anecdote ties back to Professor Cornett’s approach of combining visual arts and music to create and learn about contemporary art. Overall, Macdonald’s contribution to the exhibition creates a visual symphony, as imagined by Professor Cornett.
According to the curator, the goal of “Composition” is to demythologize contemporary art, which is, nowadays, highly stigmatized due to a lack of understanding and education. The goal is thus partly educative as it aims to teach contemporary art through giving voice to the multidisciplinary skills of all arts. In addition, the goal is sociological as Cornett allows easy access to the gallery by displaying artworks in a community center. Finally, through this exhibit Professor Cornett wishes to form a “common denominator between the artists”, which is “to make artists not known, artists we should know” despite their differences.
To reach his goal, the curator focuses on sensorial feelings. In fact, during the exhibition, the senses are always needed; to listen to the music, to look at the artworks, or to interact with various textures. In the past, he has researched on synesthesia (a rare condition where a person associates a color with a musical note) and has conducted experiments that combined visual arts and music to create a learning environment. Similarly in this exhibition, the curator displays artworks that are made of various mediums from artists with different backgrounds and approaches to create a cognitive space. Here is a closer look at the artists.
Jorge Tereda is an architect from Peru. His artworks are characterized as minimalist because he uses only three colors : black, yellow, and white. His dexterity in architecture can be identified through the use of lines, volume, and depth. Although the layers are complex, they have such unity it “says the most for the least”, Cornett says.
Circle 3- Stand up High
Olivier Bonet, is a “citizen of the world”. He was born in Algeria, lived in Polynesia, later moved to Britain, and is currently living in Montreal. Furthermore, he speaks Italian, Mandarin, and German. His work is meticulous, especially in human anatomy, and shows his appreciation for women’s fashion, photography, and the 1920s to the 1950s.
Palme d’Or – Dry pastel on cardstock
Daniela Muset is an electrical engineering specialist and has always been passionate about astronomy. Her painting highlights her interests through what Professor Cornett described as a “cartesian approach”. In addition, the black background brings out the quick brushes of blue, yellow, and white, ultimately shaping a night summer sky.
Le Bohneur dans un Bouquet
Sylvie Bertrand has a curious mind to feed and as a result explores various artistic techniques to do so. She practices photography, traditional printing techniques, and sculpting. By being active in all of those disciplines, she creates collages, which exposes her multidisplinary nature.
Anigma —multi-medium collage
The curator required artists to exhibit a minimum of six artworks. Clemence Boucher was the exception. She only displayed four works due to her large canvases. However, the scale of her paintings invites a lyrical reading of her work. Cornett saw her paintings as a representation of synesthesia. It is no longer paint that we see but rather musical notes through the various colors used on her canvas.
Untitled— acrylic on canvas. Photo tby Jackie Lacoursière
Nicole Bouchard’s work stands out from the others because she is the only artist of the group who uses textiles for her creations. Professor Cornett chose to have artists who use different materials available around them to showcases the multidisciplinary nature of humans and art. In fact, on top of being a fiber artist, Nicole Bouchard also dances, attends musical concerts, and plays the cello, which further reflects how art can be influenced by music.
L’Enfan-Té— Oil glaze according to the “method of the Ancients” on a cotton-paper construction
In other words, while some artists like Daniela Muset and Jorge Tereda take on a mathematical approach, others like Sylvie Bertrand and Nicole Bouchard keep exploring various mediums. Above all, “Composition” is for the curious. It is for those who wish to learn about contemporary art and know local artists who embody multidisciplinary work on their own terms, whether through sound, sight, or texture.
Note that “Composition” is happening in Montreal at the Centre Afrika (Berri-Uquam subway station) until August 4th. It is open to public from 5 :30 pm to 7 :30 pm every day. In addition, it is also possible to book an appointment with one of the artists outside of regular open hours.
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