Join artist Chris Mackenzie as he creates two new pieces of public art for the city of Port Moody.
The fine art photographer, whose exhibit, "Stones, Chestnuts and Snow," is at the Port Moody Arts Centre Jan. 5 to Feb. 19, will be creating two Land Art Works. Mackenzie will use locally sourced, natural materials to make the pieces, which will be placed next to the Arts Centre and on the roundabout outside city hall.
Visitors are welcome to attend each site and view the artist at work at the Arts Centre on Jan. 7 (where there will be free hot chocolate) and city hall on Jan. 14, from noon to 4 p.m.
Mackenzie has been showing his photography for nearly a decade but the PoMo show marks his first foray into land art.
"As an art form, I find myself drawn to land art precisely because of its temporary, ephemeral and isolated nature," he said in a release. "The idea that a piece I've made will be gone within hours or days and that no one is likely to see it is a fascinating experience."
Mackenzie isn't leaving photography behind to pursue a more fleeting art form; in fact, photos or video are often the only traces of the pieces he's created in the outdoors.
His interest in land art has been inspired by years of kayaking, surfing, biking, hiking and snowshoeing through the backcountry.
In 2010 Mackenzie received seven honourable mentions from the International Photographic Association's global competition and in 2008 he was a finalist in the Photographer's Forum International competition.
And when he's not behind the camera Mackenzie, who holds a PhD, lectures in sociology and criminology at UBC and publishes academic works in those subjects.
Visit www.chrismackenzie.com for more information.
