Alana Bartol, A Woman Walking (the City Limits), 2016
14 photographs, ed. of 3 archival inkjet prints, 27.94 x 86.36 cm
Video, HDV, 30 min 11 sec, ed. of 3, shot with GoPro and DSLR
Risograph, ink on paper, 27.94 x 43.18 cm
What bodies move alongside, within, and outside of the designated city boundaries? Who inhabits the spaces along the city limits? How is the border inscribed on the land and felt in space?
For the 8th Mountain Standard Time Performative Arts Festival, artist Alana Bartol attempted to trace the city limits of Mohkinstsis (Calgary) on foot. The Google map developed by the City of Calgary became a virtual guide. Without sanctioned pathways or access points, the boundaries of the city are often experienced from a distance, from a vehicle, or not at all. While the city limit runs alongside roads and highways, it also demarcates the border along Tsuut’ina Nation 145, dips and crosses both the Bow River and Elbow River, runs directly along the Bearspaw Dam, moves across private property, farmlands, and sinks into ponds.
The first edition of this series is in the collection of Alberta Foundation for the Arts. It was first presented at The New Gallery in partnership with M:ST Performative Arts Festival. It is currently on view in “Places-Species-Bodies, Walking Alberta”, a 2-person exhibition of works by Sandra Meigs + Alana Bartol at VIVIANEART, July 24 – August 30, 2020.
Learn more at: http://vivianeart.gallery/exhibitions/sandra-meigs-alana-bartol
Artist website: http://alanabartol.com
Photos courtesy of VIVIANEART