What could be more fun than building an elaborate cardboard sci-fi puppet show? Or transforming a theatre stage into a live film set, decked with slimy aliens, time travelling dinosaurs, and a high level of mayhem?
For Surrey-based video artist Edward Westerhuis, crossing over into theatre is less about reliving nostalgic 1960s B-movies than it is about re-imagining film as a medium.
On June 5 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Thursday Artist Talk speaker series at the Surrey Art Gallery, Westerhuis offers a behind-the-scenes look at Ramshackle Theatre's wildly popular all-ages show Sci-Fi Double Feature. Rated as one of Vancouver's Top Ten Theatre Productions of 2013 (theatreisforsuckers.com), this rapid-fire performance has toured across Canada.
Westerhuis will break down the nerdy technicals, creative influences, and the fine art of collaborating across art forms. His presentation comes fresh on the heels of a residency at the Banff Centre, giving the audience new insights into his process and the ideas he wrestles with. There is time for questions and conversation during and following the talk. The event finishes by 9 p.m. Admission is free.
Westerhuis is a founding member of the South of the Fraser Inter Arts Collective (SOFIA Collective), which presents community art events that exhibit hybrid forms of contemporary arts and culture in Surrey. His work has appeared in several galleries and theatres across Western Canada, including Surrey Art Gallery and EPCOR Centre (Calgary). Aside from producing video and animation, he is also a cardboard master craftsman. You can catch him on instagram under the alias @corrugatedcut. The trailer for Sci-Fi Double Feature is at https://vimeo.com/64282394.
Refreshments are provided. This event is presented by the Surrey Art Gallery Association in partnership with the Surrey Art Gallery, and with support from the Arts Council of Surrey.
Surrey Art Gallery Association (SAGA) is a non-profit society that offers its members the opportunity to participate in and respond to contemporary art, and be part of a community that actively supports the Surrey Art Gallery.
Surrey Art Gallery is located at 13750 88 Ave. Phone 604-501-5566 or check www.surrey.ca/artgallery