Sweet Breath of Trees

Michele Karch-Ackerman

March 1 to March 30. 2002

For more information visit the artist's site. This link opens a new browswer window.

When Michele Karch-Ackerman’s Sweet Breath Of Trees came before our programming committee there was some discussion about the artist’s recent exhibition at the Art Gallery of Peterborough, and consequently the possible redundancy of mounting such an exhibition at Artspace. However, Karch-Ackerman’s provocative and concise proposal assuaged any such concern. In point of fact the proposal lead to an entirely useful dialog among the committee members about how Artspace needs to define itself in relation to other institutions inside our constituency. It was the experimental approach to her work, its constantly shifting and therefore dynamic nature, that captured our imagination. Each manifestation of Karch-Ackerman’s project takes on a life of its own, and therefore demands an independent measure of critical focus. As an artist-run centre, Artspace defines its role as a space that must be sensitive to such dynamics and concepts. Artspace is very proud of its part in presenting Sweet Breath Of Trees, a venture that not only coincides with the artist’s residency at Trent University, but that features a joint publication with the Art Gallery of Stratford, and therefore even further variables to an already complex aesthetic maneuver. Partnerships such as these will continue to play a vital role for Artspace, especially in terms of facilitating the presentation of vital and exciting projects epitomized by this exhibition.

David LaRiviere
Director, Artspace.
Monday, March 05, 2001

List Of Works

The Dolls
Fifteen hand stitched antique cotton dolls stuffed with earth and featuring xerographic transfers of unknown baby from the nineteenth century. Dolls are laying on a bed of earth.

The Doll Garments
Fifteen hand-stitched, stained, antique cotton garments featuring xerographic transfers of unknown baby on their bodices. The garments are “dressed” on young poplar trees.

The Christening Gowns for Trees
Eight foot long, hand-stitched, antique cotton christening gowns buried under cedar trees at Gallery Stratford for four months and exhumed.