Christian Nicolay
Perpetual Navigation
Deer Lake Residency Exhibition
Shadbolt Centre for the Arts
Burnaby BC, Canada
2023
Deer Lake Residency Period
August 6 - September 15, 2022
Perpetual Navigation re-envisions traditional models of ceramics, materials and techniques, calling attention to the malleability of structures, unstable surfaces and adaptability though transition.
I have been thinking about the climate crisis in relation to why I am attracted to discarded objects that show the measure of time. Trajectories of change and the allure of transience inform many of the assemblages and constructions, making connections between artistic process, impermanence and transition.
Traces within spaces
Past leftovers of moments with unfixed futures
Fleeting vestiges of time
Transient moments of materiality
Mundane anchors of the everyday
Measured persistence
Unseen architectures
Trajectories of change
Reading between the lines
Liminal landscapes
Filling the void
Adapting to the new
At the edge of disappearance
A rediscovery of spaces
Caught between states of transition
Perpetual Navigation
NO WHERE
NOW HERE
Residency Exhibition XPO
ARE, Enschede Netherlands
2018
ARE Residency Period
Jan 1 - March 31, 2018
liminal
ˈlɪmɪn(ə)l/
adjective
1. relating to a transitional or initial stage of a process.
2. occupying a position at, or on both sides of, a boundary or threshold.
3. liminal symbols of passage and transformation; doors, ladders, crossings, bridges, pallets.
Nowhere Now Here explores current issues of globalization and climate change through the lens of the liminal. Our cultural landscapes have been increasingly crisscrossed and blurred through shifting borders and boundaries, directly impacting the ways in which we all cohabitate with one another. Materials, images and objects visually demonstrate transition and transformation - the visible and the invisible – the seen and unseen. In the exhibition the notion of 'space' and 'place' occurs in conjunction with ideas of the 'temporary' and 'permanent' creating a play between the real and the unreal - the Nowhere and the Now Here.
NO WHERE
NOW HERE
Kimoto Gallery
Vancouver BC Canada
2018
Throughout this body of work, a feeling of absence and presence is reflected in voids and volumes visually demonstrating transition and transformation, the visible and the invisible, the seen and unseen.
Filling the void, adapting to the new, at the edge of disappearance, a rediscovery of spaces, suspended between states of perpetual navigation, Nowhere Now Here.
The Day Job
(First excerpt, 2016)
Single channel video
06:56 min
2003 - Ongoing
The Day Job started in 2003, this is the first excerpt from hundreds of hours of footage over the years. What started out as a day job has now become part of my routine, hiding art in hard to find places. To notice the unnoticeable, to look where no one does, like a quasi-archeological expedition of absurdity and truth, quixotic adventures of surprise and play. Remember, whatever you are looking at is just the surface layer. Peel it like an onion and see what you can find.
Click Link to Vimeo page
Notes - Self Portrait
Standard loose leaf paper, pen, pencil, ink,various media and found bits, stamps, tape, stickers, correction pen, found detritus
11" x 8.5" each page (28cm x 21.5cm)
2001 - Ongoing
I have carried a piece of paper and pen on my person everyday without exception since the summer of 2001. I collect and doodle and record until the paper is full on both sides. Then I date the end and start of a new paper which I fold in half 3 times.
3 detail pages of notes unfolded out of 271 pages. It usually takes about one month to fill both sides of a paper.
40 Pages unfolded into a square
42 pages unfolded into a square
271 pages as of October 2021
271 pages as of October 2021
Self Portrait
All of my parking tickets and collection letters, sewn into an empty wallet, thread
3.5” x 12.5” x 1” (8.9cm x 31.8cm x 2.5cm)
2012
Nomadic Recoils
Residency Exhibition
Äkkigalleria, Jyväskylä Finland
2010
Residency Period
August 20 - September 2, 2010
Most of the material for this residency was found and salvaged from the surrounding landscape in the streets, old abandoned houses, farms and barns and then drawn on, combined with or Re-coiled. This was a strategy to regard the disregarded, challenging common perceptions of visual representation.
Hockey Night in Canada
Once Upon A Pond... pond hockey and global warming
Esplanade Art Gallery, Medicine Hat AB Canada Curated by Linda Sawchyn
2009
Also exhibited at Vancouver ArtWalk
during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver BC Canada, 2010
Installation View, Esplanade Art Gallery, Medicine Hat AB, Canada. 2009
Installation View, Esplanade Art Gallery, Medicine Hat AB, Canada. 2009
Climate Change Modified Canadian 5 dollar bill, 2.75" x 6" / 7cm x 15.2cm. 2009
War for Territory Salvaged hockey pucks, spray paint, found ceramic tile, salvaged glass 20" x 12" x 3" / 50.8cm x 30.5cm x 7.6cm. 2009
Core Canadian Salvaged wood, found tool, my slippers, skate blades, thread, screws, salvaged shoelace, Variable dimensions. 2009
L Wood found photograph, pencil, white-out, hockey tape, crayon, typewriter, ink, pin, ballon
Installation View, Esplanade Art Gallery, Medicine Hat AB, Canada. 2009
Beard Puck - Playoff Beard My beard, glue, home made photograph mounted on glass, typewriter ink, tape, steel, ink, tape. Variable dimensions. 2009
Beard Puck - Playoff Beard My beard, glue, home made photograph mounted on glass, typewriter ink, tape, steel, ink, tape. Variable dimensions. 2009
Studies in Amplification Series (Ampli-Skate) Video stills, One channel video (2009) 1999 - Ongoing
Ice skates, violin and cello pick-ups, RP-50 effect pedals, mini amplifiers, 1/4 jacks, batteries, tape, leather, thread, fabric Variable dimensions. 2009
Hockey Night in Vancouver, Installation View, ArtWalk during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver BC Canada, 2010
Hockey Night in Vancouver, Installation View, ArtWalk during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver BC Canada, 2010
$2010 LightJet Photograph, Ed. of 3. Made as protest for the 2010 Vancouver BC Winter Olympics
Project Flyleaf
Elliott Louis Gallery, Vancouver BC Canada
2006
fly’leaf” n. 1, a blank leaf at the beginning or end of a book. 2, flyleaves often carry pen trials and inscriptions concerning provenance. 3, used for structural reinforcement to protect the text in the event of worming or damage to the binding.
Each work in this series started with a flyleaf and the marks that happened to live on it. The flyleaf is left to the unpredictable course and nature of the books next owner. Things that were written may become crossed out, or added onto. A dialogue of spontaneous and uncertain mark making begins over the course of a books life. Flyleaves ephemeral yet silent qualities draw on my obsession with opposites that simultaneously co-exist in perfect harmony.
Project Flyleaf Installation View, Elliott Louis Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada 2006
Re-Education, Salvaged books, school desk chair, screws, nails, glue, tape, hidden notes, pencil 32.5" x 16" x 12" / 82.6cm x 40.6cm x 30.5cm. 2006
Project Flyleaf Installation View, Elliott Louis Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada 2006
Generation ATARI Salvaged flyleaf pages, acrylic paint, pencil, ink, crayon, oil pastel, water-colour, white-out, tape, graphite, on paper on panel. 96" x 48" / 244cm x 122cm 2006
Generation ATARI (DETAIL)
Project Flyleaf Installation View, Elliott Louis Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada 2006
Project Flyleaf Installation View, Elliott Louis Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada 2006
Entropy : The degradation of matter Salvaged books arranged by colour, hidden notes and drawings 2006 - Ongoing
Project Flyleaf Installation View, Elliott Louis Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada 2006
Carbon Copy Pencil, oil pastel, found detritus paper, wood, felt, tape, water-colour. 9.5" x 4.5" x 1.5" / 24.1cm x 11.4cm x 4cm. 2006
Danny Lion Pencil, oil pastel, found detritus paper, wood, dandelions, 9.5" x 4.5" x 3.5" / 24.1cm x 11.4cm x 8.9cm. 2006
Self portrait as Hunter S. Thompson Pencil, oil pastel, found detritus paper, wood, 6" x 4.5" / 15cm x 11.4cm. 2006
Bird Flu's Bush, H5-N1 Pencil, oil pastel, crayon, found detritus paper, wood, 6" x 11" / 15cm x 28cm. 2006
Industrial Revolution Pencil, oil pastel, found detritus paper, wood, 9.5" x 4.5" / 24.1cm x 11.4cm. 2006
Generation ATARI flyleaf Pencil, oil pastel, found detritus paper, blood. 7" x 4.25" / 17.8cm x 10.8cm. 2006
le nuit chat Pencil, oil pastel, found detritus paper, crayon, thread. 7" x 4.25" / 17.8cm x 10.8cm. 2006
This is a recording Pencil, oil pastel, found detritus paper, salvaged ruler, fir. 13" x 11" / 33cm x 28cm. 2006
Barnacles for past pressed flowers Pencil, oil pastel, found detritus paper, crayon, wild pressed flowers, 11" x 5.5" / 28cm x 14cm. 2006
Sewn Pencil, oil pastel, thread, found detritus paper, shaved book end, wax string, wood clips, thread. 7" x 13" / 18cm x 33cm. 2006
Project Flyleaf Installation View, Elliott Louis Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada 2006
Project Flyleaf Installation View, Elliott Louis Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada 2006
Codex Dog Eared Thesaurus, 8.5" x 5.25" x 1.5" / 21.6cm x 13.3cm x 3.8cm. 2006
Project Flyleaf, Installation View, The Art Ark, Kelowna BC Canada 2007
Re-Education, Salvaged books, school desk chair, screws, nails, glue, tape, hidden notes, pencil, 32.5" x 16" x 12" / 82.6cm x 40.6cm x 30.5cm, 2006. chalk board paint, chalk, felt, salvaged pencil on panel, 49" x 24.25" / 124.50cm x 61.5cm, 2007
Where I lay my head is home
Site specific lay-downs around Earth
2006 − Ongoing
Click Link to view the entire series
This project started out in 2006 as a reaction and counter balance to the cliché “tourist photo” which has now become a cultural phenomenon known as the “Selfie”. Laying down on the ground in various locations around Earth reflects my ongoing curiosity with self-presentation in public and private spaces and the document of the here and now. There is a recurrent insistence to document the present while remembering the past, to keep a connection to tradition and a conservation of our social and cultural relationships to the landscape around us. This is how I remember.
Click Link to view the entire series
Click Link to view the entire series
Click Link to view the entire series
Click Link to view the entire series
Click Link to view the entire series
Click Link to view the entire series
Click Link to view the entire series
Click Link to view the entire series
Click Link to view the entire series
Click Link to view the entire series
Click Link to view the entire series
Click Link to view the entire series
Click Link to view the entire series
Click Link to view the entire series
Click Link to view the entire series
Click Link to view the entire series
Click Link to view the entire series
Click Link to view the entire series
(un)common (playing)ground
Kelowna Art Gallery, Kelowna BC Canada Curated by Linda Sawchyn
2004
Injecting the unusual into the familiar by turning sports objects inside out.
(un)common (playing)ground 1, a (play)ground without rules. 2, taking something common and making it (un)common. 3, unity of opposites. 4, (with)out rules.
(un)common (playing)ground Kelowna Art Gallery, Kelowna BC Canada, Installation View, curated by Linda Sawchyn, 2004
(un)common (playing)ground Kelowna Art Gallery, Kelowna BC Canada, Installation View, curated by Linda Sawchyn, 2004
Inside out Pro league salvaged baseballs
Left: Inside out baseball glove and baseball 9.5" x 10.5" x 7" / 24.1cm x 26.7cm , 17.8cm 2004. Right: Inside out football 8" x 10" x 5" / 20.3cm x 24.4cm x 12.7cm. 2004
Dugout Baseball bat, tape, Variable dimensions. 2004
Self Portrait - Mailed Experiments
Variable Media and Dimensions
2004 - 2007
Mailed Series (2004 − 2007) How many times can I mail the same envelope to myself before the Post notifies me about it? : Envelope, stamps, ink, tape, postal marks, return to sender labels
Mailed Series (2004 − 2007) How many times can I mail the same envelope to myself before the Post notifies me about it? : Envelope, stamps, ink, tape, postal marks, return to sender labels
Mailed Series (2004 − 2007) How many times can I mail the same envelope to myself before the Post notifies me about it? : Envelope, stamps, ink, tape, postal marks, return to sender labels
Mailed Series (2004 − 2007) How many times can I mail the same envelope to myself before the Post notifies me about it? : Envelope, stamps, ink, tape, postal marks, return to sender labels
Mailed Series (2004 − 2007) (Detail)
Blind Leap of Faith Envelope, stamp, ink, tape, postal mark 2009
One Roll of Scotch 3M Translucent tape and its dispenser, ink, stamps, postal mark 2004
2nd attempt at mailing a Canadian 5 dollar bill just by sticking a stamp and address on top. postal mark 2006
Unscratched lotto ticket, typewriter, ink, stamp, postal mark 2006
Casette tape with recorded message for the Postman, typewriter ink, tape, stamps, postal marks 2006
Pamphlet from a post office, fake address with correct return to sender address, typewriter ink, tape, stamps, return to sender label, postal marks 2006
Birdhouse Intervention
I saw an unfinished birdhouse on my neighbours firewood pile. So I stole it and finished what I thought was the intended design. 5 months later I put it back on the firewood pile. The hole drilled on the front measures the correct diameter for a sparrow.
January - June 2002
Birdhouse Intervention Site specific intervention, Wood, nails, hidden notes. 2002
Performance
Site Specific Interventions
Collaborations
The polite anarchist series 2000 - Ongoing Site specific happenings, performances, hidings, burying of notes and drawings, at various places I happen to be. Some are documented and most are not. Its become a part of my routine to inject the unusual into the familiar. Who finds these "artifacts", and when, is left to the cosmos.
The polite anarchist series Site specific intervention performances 2000 - Ongoing
The polite anarchist series (video still) Site specific intervention performances 2000 - Ongoing
The polite anarchist series (photo document of "the reverend" Alternator Gallery, Kelowna BC Canada 2000) Site specific intervention performances 2000 - Ongoing
The polite anarchist series (video still) Site specific intervention performances 2000 - Ongoing
The polite anarchist series (polaroid) Site specific intervention performances 2000 - Ongoing
Recipe for walls Elliott Louis Gallery, Vancouver BC Canada, 2012. Collaborative performance with Ya-chu Kang
Clamour and Toll, Candahar Bar Project, Playwrights Theatre Centre, curated by Eli Bornowsky, Vancouver BC Canada, 2010. Collaborative performance with Ya-chu Kang
Stone Soup, Grace Gallery, Vancouver BC Canada, 2009. 3 person collaboration with Lisa Birke and Eben Bender
Mossie, Bau-xi Gallery Vancouver BC Canada 2006, collaboration with Lisa Birke
Taking the Bridge, Unauthorized climb and amplification of Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver BC Canada. National Radio Broadcast with CBC Radio One as part of the Deep Wireless Festival, New Adventures in Sound Art Festival (NAISA). 2006
Project Flyleaf Performance, Elliott Louis Gallery, Vancouver BC Canada, 2006
Raw & Cooked, Performance, Western Front Gallery, Vancouver BC Canada, 2004, with Eli Bornowsky and The RITA
Drain Wash Salvaged playing cards, canoe, wood, paddle, Various Dimensions, exhibited at The ArtArk, Kelowna BC Canada, 2003. Collaboration with Shayne Brandel and Jim Kalnin
Blind Faith Video Stills, One channel video, 2:42, 2009 - 2012 Click on the link below for Video
Studies in Amplification
Amplified objects - (ladder, axe, tennis racket, tank, ice skates, fly, bridge), guitar pick-ups, piezo mics, cello and violin pick-ups, RP-50 effect pedals, mini amplifiers, 1/4 jacks, batteries, tape, leather, thread, fabric
Variable Dimensions
1999 - Ongoing
Amplified Axe and ladder Demonstration Performance, Celtic Shipyards, Vancouver BC Canada. 2009
Racket Performance, Signal & Noise, Video IN Studios, Vancouver BC Canada. 2005
Racket Performance, Elliott Louis Gallery, Vancouver BC Canada. 2006
Self Portrait
Oil pastel, pencil, ink, graphite, crayon, pen, thread, white-out, found detritus paper, tape, various glue, blood, stitches, hair, plastic, fabric, linseed oil, correction pen, flyleaf pages
7" x 4.5" each (approx.) (17.8cm x 11.4cm)
1999 - Ongoing
I make two or three more every year, and will continue until my death.