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Starships touch down at university art space

Artistic rovers explore modern expressions of hippie values
Kaleidoscope Collective artists
ARTISTIC VOYAGE: A space-themed exhibit featuring Kaleidoscope Collective artists [left to right] Stefan Fogerty, Adam Cramb, Amber Friedman, Katarina Craig and Tamara McIntee takes place at Vancouver Island University’s Powell River campus on Thursday, February 4. Mel Edgar photo

Art fans, be prepared to beam up some good vibrations at Love Tribe and the Starships, an upcoming art show in the foyer gallery of Vancouver Island University’s Powell River campus.

Organized at VIU in partnership between Kaleidoscope Collective and Malaspina Art Society, the show celebrates peace, love and freedom.

“We are working on values created in the ’60s,” said show curator Adam Cramb, “and redefining them in contemporary art forms.”

The show explores how artists can work together to encourage one another and features over 10 artists known collectively as the Love Tribe.

“We see ourselves as a love tribe,” said Cramb, “because we look at the best in ourselves and each other.”

Art styles at the show will include paintings, stained glass, collage and textile work, all exploring ideas orbiting the far out theme of love, peace, humanity and travel through the stars.

Artistic contribution from Stefan Fogerty, also known as Catnip, features a series of paintings depicting a tale of ancient human contact with aliens.

“The intent was to make these look like ancient cave paintings that tell a story,” said Fogerty. “Who knows what will happen next as I haven’t finished them yet.”

Surrealist painter Katarina Craig will be exhibiting work in which human bodies transform into animals against a backdrop of secret symbols.

“A lot of the pieces were made contemplating aspects of love and relationships,” said Craig. “There are many symbols people won’t be able to see unless I point them out.”

Textile artist Amber Friedman will exhibit pieces she calls “Letters from the Darkside” in which she uses sheer fabrics and words to reflect on lost loves.

“The pieces explore the shadow side of our relationship with love,” said Friedman. “With the fabric being sheer you can kind of read the letters, but not completely; it is very mysterious.”

The love-themed space show will also feature live music by guest members of the collective, as well as a specially crafted “love potion” tea of lightly aphrodisiac damiana and cacao.

“We want to create an environment of sparkling peace and effervescent positive vibes,” said Cramb.

In addition to celebrating love and peace, the show is also a last hurrah of sorts for Cramb, who has curated the VIU art space for three years.

“I’m stepping down as curator,” he said. “So it’s a send-off, take-off show.”

Cramb said although no one has volunteered yet to replace him, he hopes the next curator will continue to help preserve the permanent collection held by the VIU art space.

The month-long Love Tribe and the Starships show launches at 6 pm on Thursday, February 4, in the foyer gallery at VIU’s Powell River campus.