The Victoria Arts Council Gallery presents
Alison Bigg & Auricals
June 9 - July 23, 2023
Please join us July 22 @ 3:00 for the launch of Auricals,
a catalogue with 50 full colour pages, edition of 150, $25 each (advance copies).
Alison Bigg & Auricals
June 9 - July 23, 2023
Please join us July 22 @ 3:00 for the launch of Auricals,
a catalogue with 50 full colour pages, edition of 150, $25 each (advance copies).
Ambient Voice, 8.5 x 22 in, limited edition of 10, photo etching, pronto litho, collograph, stencil, 2023
What does it feel like to go deaf?
For many, hearing loss is a gradual and perplexing experience. You many wonder why people are mumbling and leaving you out of their conversations. Or find the chatter inside a crowded room reverberates like an echo chamber. Why are you startled by loud noises, yet turning up the volume on all your devices?
Alison Bigg first noticed hearing loss in 2017 while listening to music. “My favourite tunes sounded different,” she says, “far away and muffled, not as enjoyable.” At that time, Bigg worked 12-hour shifts as a chef. She thought it might be temporary deafness caused by the loud exhaust fans. But months after leaving that employment, her hearing loss continued. Bigg took a hearing test and was referred to a specialist. The diagnosis was otosclerosis, a type of arthritis or hardening of the bones in her inner ear. Otosclerosis is a non-reversible condition, resulting in deafness. After unsuccessful surgery, Bigg became totally deaf in the left ear. She now has partial hearing in her right ear and uses a hearing aid. Her new skills include lip-reading and sign language.
For many, hearing loss is a gradual and perplexing experience. You many wonder why people are mumbling and leaving you out of their conversations. Or find the chatter inside a crowded room reverberates like an echo chamber. Why are you startled by loud noises, yet turning up the volume on all your devices?
Alison Bigg first noticed hearing loss in 2017 while listening to music. “My favourite tunes sounded different,” she says, “far away and muffled, not as enjoyable.” At that time, Bigg worked 12-hour shifts as a chef. She thought it might be temporary deafness caused by the loud exhaust fans. But months after leaving that employment, her hearing loss continued. Bigg took a hearing test and was referred to a specialist. The diagnosis was otosclerosis, a type of arthritis or hardening of the bones in her inner ear. Otosclerosis is a non-reversible condition, resulting in deafness. After unsuccessful surgery, Bigg became totally deaf in the left ear. She now has partial hearing in her right ear and uses a hearing aid. Her new skills include lip-reading and sign language.
Aurical #1, stainless steel and plastic, 20x20x20 in, 2022
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Aurical #2, glass and plastic, 26x26x26 in, 2022
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Aurical #3, metal, 12x5x5 in, 2022
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Bigg suffered grief, loss and confusion about the prognosis of her advancing deafness. She began to process her emotions using the medium of art. Her research into the history of deafness revealed some fascinating objects used to amplify sound. The Ear Trumpet was invented in the 17th century. The spiral shape of the trumpet aided amplification, and was modelled after the winding coils found seashells and ram’s horns.
While researching, Bigg wandered into the wacky world of Chindogu. Invented by a Japanese engineer, Chindogu showcases odd gadgets. Impeccably designed, they are not really useful, except to delight and mystify an international community of fans. Seeing the imaginative creations of Chindogu encouraged Bigg to envision a collection of sculptural oddities connected with hearing and communication. “It lifted my spirits to use humour and visual irony in my practice,” she says.
The artist began to assemble found objects into a series of devices called “auricals” (artist’s word). Word play is in effect as the auricle is the outer part of the ear that funnels sound into the ear canal. Also, "aurical" sounds like the Greek word “oracle” an ancient method of gaining wisdom through prophecy. Most of the auricals are fragile and cannot be handled, but the artist will have a “play area” were hands on manipulation is encouraged.
Talk Radio, 8.5 x 22 in, limited edition of 10, photo etching, pronto litho, collograph, stencil, blind embossing, 2023
Bigg believes that our society has a type of communal deafness cause by information overload. With Auricals, she invites us to navigate the important difference between hearing and listening. Hearing is the physical act of receiving information, whereas listening is a learned skill. Empathetic or critical listening allows us to process what we hear in order to better understand and intuit key messages.
Alison Bigg is a graduate of Emily Carr College of Art and Design, and an alumni of the Vancouver Island School of Art.
She is a professional artist with a studio in Rock Bay Square, who uses sculpture, installation, printmaking and ceramics in her interdisciplinary practice. The Auricals exhibition and concurrent publications are generously supported by Canada Council for the Arts and BC Arts Council Impact grants.
She is a professional artist with a studio in Rock Bay Square, who uses sculpture, installation, printmaking and ceramics in her interdisciplinary practice. The Auricals exhibition and concurrent publications are generously supported by Canada Council for the Arts and BC Arts Council Impact grants.
Aurical #7, glass, metal and 3D printed element, 27x13x 6 in, 2023
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Aurical #5, 3D printed using bioplastics and recycled plastics, 15 x12x 6 in, 2023
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Aurical #6, glass, styrofoam and 3D printed elements, 26x10x4 in, 2023
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Bigg is Co-Founder and president of the board for the Victoria Society of Print Artists. An accomplished printmaker, she uses a variety of techniques in the Auricals series: photo etching, pronto litho, collograph, stencil and blind embossing. 3D printing is used in some of the Aurical sculptures. Bigg constructed Aurical #5 using an egg cup for a base and traffic cones for the two appendages. Not satisfied with the final product, she painted a model of her concept in florescent orange and gave it to Stuth Designs. From the painting, designer Richard Kennedy made a computer-generated model, which Bigg approved by viewing a video. In Aurical #7, the 3D printed element is the segmented neck piece that holds the two spoons. In Aurical # 6 the 3D printed element is the florescent orange ball and hose attachment.
Clear Call, 8.5 x 22 in, limited edition of 10, photo etching, pronto litho, collograph, stencil, 2023
flask micro-press, launched by Lynda Gammon in 2004, is producing a boxed-set of eight limited-edition prints called #lostfoundsound. Each box has a metal case with a hinged lid. The lid is made from a 3D limited-edition print. Eight boxes will be produced and available as collectors items. “I think Auricals is a fascinating project,” says Gammon. She admires Bigg’s use of various mediums and her multi-sensory approach to articulating loss. Gammon explains that flask specializes in limited editions comprised of handmade materials. “So #lostfoundsound fits right in with our mission to design and distribute unique artist books,” she says.
“The VAC is very pleased to be working with Alison on her remarkable project,” says Executive Director Kegan McFadden.
The curator praises Bigg for including both sculpture and prints in the telling of her personal tale about hearing loss.
McFadden applauds Bigg’s diverse printmaking skills and dynamic visual imagery. He believes the artist book produced by flask will provide a valuable resource for present and future audiences.
The curator praises Bigg for including both sculpture and prints in the telling of her personal tale about hearing loss.
McFadden applauds Bigg’s diverse printmaking skills and dynamic visual imagery. He believes the artist book produced by flask will provide a valuable resource for present and future audiences.
Aurical #4, glass, ceramic, metal, plastic and cement, 45x15x15 in, 2022
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Aurical #8, glass, metal and plastic, 26x8x8 in, 2022
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Aurical #9, glass and metal, 16x10x10 in, 2023
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Artist Talk June 11 @ 3:00 will be recorded, ASL interpreted and captioned in French and English.
To be announced: dates for launch of #lostfoundsound, an artist book, and printed exhibition catalogue.
Victoria Arts Council, 1800 Store Street, V8T 4R4. Phone: 778-533-7123
Gallery Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 12:00-5:00. Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 11:00-5:00. vicartscouncil.ca
To be announced: dates for launch of #lostfoundsound, an artist book, and printed exhibition catalogue.
Victoria Arts Council, 1800 Store Street, V8T 4R4. Phone: 778-533-7123
Gallery Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 12:00-5:00. Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 11:00-5:00. vicartscouncil.ca
The Opening of Auricals on June 9 was a lively celebration. See photos below.
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Web Design and Content by Kate Cino Arts writer published in Focus on Victoria, Yam and Boulevard. History in Art degree and Public Relations certificate from the University of Victoria This website and its content is copyright of Art Openings, 2009. All rights reserved. Written permission is required for reproduction of photos or text. [email protected] 250 598-4009 |
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