Monday, November 26, 2007

Montrose goes to Slovenia

Our animated short Montrose Avenue is off to Slovenia, as part of the Canadian Panorama in the Animatika 2007 Animation Festival in Ljubljana, Dec. 3-9. This festival has a focus on new animated films from Eastern European filmmakers. How awesome! Check out the trailer designed by Japanese filmaker Koji Yamamura and animated by Matej Lavrenčič. It's making me feel all festival-ee.

-Pat

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Buty - Nad Stádem Koní

This song about a musician's funeral was a big hit the last time we were in Prague, quite a few years ago now. Tears well up every time ...

- Marek

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Bozhychi

While working on the imagery for our recent show, I often listened to the polyphonic ethnic music of Ukraine as performed by the groups Hurtopravci and Drevo.
This thursday an ongoing film series I've been enjoying at the Universtiy of Toronto, Ukrainian Cinema since Independence presented by Dr. Yuri Shevchuk, a lecturer from Columbia University, will be showing:

"Bozhychi, director Anastasia Kharchenko, 2006, 23".
"A look at the revival of Ukrainian folk song tradition that captures the imagination of an increasing number of young people. The Bozhychi, a folk singing group from Kyiv visits different parts of the country, from central and eastern Ukraine to the Carpathian mountains, unearthing and recording authentic folk songs, including those created in the Soviet and post-Soviet period."

where and when - http://www.utoronto.ca/jacyk/ukrcinema/index.html
Here's a interview with a member of the band- http://www.day.kiev.ua/132410/

- Pat

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Kraina Mriy


People have been wondering about the titles and meanings of the prints in the show, so I'll be filling in the blanks for some of the most asked about pieces.

The imagery the piece "Kraina Mriy" refers to a Czech folktale about an alcoholic who makes a deal with the Devil. If he can survive a night of drinking with demons, he will be freed from his alcoholism.

The title "Kraina Mriy" translates to "Land of Dreams" in Ukrainian, and alludes to the metaphyscal land of folklore.

The title is also a hommage to the Ukrainian singer Oleg Skrypka's song and Festival of the same name. Oleg Skrypka is the singer from the awesome Ukrainian punk band Vopli Vidopliassova. I love his work on three counts - punk background, reinterpretations of beautiful Ukrainian folksongs, pro multicultural stance.

http://www.inyourpocket.com/ukraine/kyiv/feature/55995-kraina_mryi__dreamland__2006.html

-Pat

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Tin Can Forest Art Show Opening at Resistor Gallery Nov 2 2007 Toronto


Babies, Babas, beer and blintzes. A good time was had by all!
Here's a few pics from our opening last weekend at
the
Resistor Gallery Nov.2, here in Toronto.


Soundtrack: Gogol Borello, Hurtopravci,
Méta & Kálmán Balogh , Oleg Skrypka, Moscow Balalaika Quartet

Below: Me and Marek talking to our friend and research assistant Olha.

Below: Me n' Olha yuckin' it up.

A big thanks to the Resistor Gallery, as well as Rosie, Arv and Kim for helping us to pull this together. Special thanks to Olesya Muhaylivna for the pics!

The show runs Nov.2 - Nov.29

You can see the whole show on line at TinCanForest.com