michael doerksen - artwork

Catnap, 2011

2011-09-15T20:31:00.000-07:00

materials: 1:1 paper model of human skeleton, artificial kitten, wood, steel, paint.

part of L’éphémère : fugacité et permanence en art contemporain, 11 Juin – 23 juillet, 2011, at Galerie Lilian Rodriguez, Montreal.

Photography by David Romero

http://davidjromero.tumblr.com/

http://commercialworks.tumblr.com/

L’éphémère : fugacité et permanence en art contemporain 11 Juin – 23 juillet, 2011

2011-06-06T10:32:00.000-07:00

http://www.galerielilianrodriguez.com/

"Botanica, Art + Nature"

2011-03-30T22:40:00.000-07:00

At Galerie Lilian Rodriguez, Montreal

Jan 22 to Feb 22, 2011

Smoke Signal, 2011

Arrangement in White, 2011

Trevor Gould and Michael Doerksen at Galerie Lillian Rodriguez Nov 20 - Dec 18, 2010

2011-01-16T10:31:00.000-08:00

http://www.galerielilianrodriguez.com/

TREVOR GOULD

MICHAEL DOERKSEN

SPACEMOWER, 2010

FLOWER POWER, 2010

GHOST KEEPER'S GHOST, 2010

MOWVISION, 2010

YAMAHA MACAW, 2007

2011-01-06T11:47:00.000-08:00

materials: glue, Styrofoam, scaled up paper models designed by Yamaha, used without permission
Images from the show Pulp, a paper based sculpture exhibition at Open Space in Victoria, BC. The designs and instruction were emailed to curator Ross Macaulay who oversaw its construction with the help of open space staff, local volunteers, and financial support from Xerox.

Installation view with the work of James Carl and Kelly Jazvac.

Three sculptures on view at Mechtronix Systems Inc., a flight simulator company in Montreal, May - Dec, 2010

2010-05-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

I chose to exhibit these works at Mechtronix because they are concerned with ornithology, the study of birds, a natural science related to aviation. This relationship extends not only to the technology used in manned-flight, but also to conflict in air-space, since sadly, birds and planes often collide in the sky resulting in disastrous consequences for both parties. Since Mechtronix is a flight simulator company, their exhibition space is an ideal context of the reception of these works. The task taken up by both artwork and its context is to explore innovative methods to simulate, realize, and build on ideas from ornithology and aviation.

These three sculptures evoke both old and new technologies used to understand, navigate, or simulate reality, be it found in the effects of light through a bird's feather, in the subtly of their song, or in the complexity of their flight. Each sculpture presents the observer with experiments involving the eye, the ear, and the brain, as related to these phenomena. Like these different parts of the body, the sculptures are functionally interrelated, each working with and for the other in an undetermined combination or sequence.

Entrance way at Mechtronix

Details of the work

Bird Song Radio, 2010

Ansco 35mm viewer, bird feathers, antenna, Elenco Digital Bird PCB with 1/8" mono audio out.

   A spectrum analyzer is a device used to examine the spectral composition of electrical, acoustic, or optical waveforms. The Visualizer tool in iTunes is a popular digital audio spectrum analyzer. Earlier analog analyzers used to study bird songs are called sonographs, and produced a printed sonogram.

    In this sculpture, a sonogram of bird songs is imagined in bird feathers of varying colour. All though not actually a 'radio' or 'sonograph', the steel box (originally a light box for viewing glass slides) does contain an audio circuit capable of simulating an almost infinite variety of sounds in the bird frequency spectrum. Simply flick the switch on the right side of the box to the ON position (UP), place the ear phone in your ear, and turn the knobs on top change the sounds.

    This process of making images in a spectrogram is called steganography, where visual information can be used to produce sounds and vice-versa. It has been used for espionage and entertainment purposes, for example, in the digital watermarking technology Coded Anti-Piracy, and in the last 10 seconds of the Aphex Twin song “Mathematical Equation” is embedded with an image of the composers face discoverable in its spectrogram. In media, this is called a virtual "Easter Egg".

Crash, 2010

lamp stand, colour wheel garden spinner, radio contolled helicopter

   The spinning wait cursor is a cursor in Apple's Mac OS X that indicates an application is not responding to system events. Its colloquial names include spinning wheel of death, beach ball of death, hypnowheel, spinning pizza, pinwheel of death, rainbow ball of doom, the beach ball of hell, beach ball of death, rainbow wheel of death, marble of doom. If it spins for too long, it may produce a Screen of Death, resulting in complete crash of the system.

    In this sculpture, the broken blades of a radio controlled miniature helicopter have been replaced with a 10" colour wheel garden spinner. The helicopter is placed by its tail end in the thin white hollow shaft of a 4' tall lamp stand. When the helicopter is activated the colour wheel will spin, and if spun fast enough, it will produce the colour white, thereby demonstrating the brain's processing limitations when interpreting light. Sadly, this tiny helicopter is not powerful enough to produce this effect. The sculpture evokes both a helicopter accident and a non-responsive computer.

Operating Instructions

1) Turn the tiny switch on the helicopter to the LEFT so that a BLUE light activates on the bottom. If you do not see the light, proceed to step 3.

2) Turn ON the remote control sitting on the base of the lamp stand. The RED light on the remote will blink. Slide the throttle control on the left up and then down. The light will stop blinking and is now ready to activate the sculpture. If the RED light on the remote does not activate, replace the batteries.

3) If the BLUE light on the helicopter does not activate, it needs to be charged. To do so, turn the tiny switch back to the right and plug in the helicopter to the plug contained in the center compartment of the remote control. Turn the remote control switch to CHARGE and wait about 20 minutes for a full charge.

Diffractoscope, 2010

broken Thornton-Pickard Roller-Blind Time and Instantaneous Shutter (1892), acoustic diffraction grating, lens, handle, chain.

In physics, diffraction is described by the Huygens–Fresnel principle of light wave propagation as the apparent bending of waves around small obstacles and the spreading out of waves past small openings. This can be easily observed by holding your fingers together over your eye, and when looking at light, you will see some dark vertical lines, like fine hairs, in the tiny cracks where two fingers join the hand. These are diffraction minima. Similar effects are observed when light waves travel through a medium with a varying refractive index. If the obstructing medium provides multiple, closely-spaced openings, a complex pattern of varying intensity can result. This is due to the superposition, or interference, of different parts of a wave that traveled to the observer by different paths.

An obstructing medium known as a diffracting grating was discovered originally using bird feathers in the 1670's by James Gregory. Gratings were later man made by stringing hairs between two finely threaded screws, or using fine wire. In 1889, Henry Joseph Grayson created a machine that could produce ruled grating of 120,000 lines per inch. Today, these can be produced with photo-lithographic techniques to create holographic gratings commonly used in stagecraft lighting and laser light shows. Diffraction can also be observed in the rainbow reflection seen on the surface of a CD, or in the wave patterns produced when the Atlantic Ocean passes through the entrance of the Panama Canal, or in vision when operating the monocular portable (pocket sized) Diffractoscope.

For this sculpture, an antique Thornton-Pickard Roller-Blind Time and Instantaneous Shutter from 1892 is outfitted with a camera lens. A concave mesh filter from a Shure SM58 microphone is attached to the front of the lens to act as a diffraction grating. When looked through, the eye focuses on the distance beyond the mesh filter which breaks up the image into a matrix of component chunks as an optical digitization. However, if this were a digital camera, its resolution is about 10 DPI. This digitization is due to the diffraction of light occurring around the mesh filter outside the range of focus, thereby demonstrating how light behaves as a wave as opposed to particle. However, today it is accepted that light behaves in both manners, an idea formulated as wave-particle duality.

Video documentation with extended Diffractoscope demo

Soundtrack: Bird Imitations by Charles Crawford Gorst (1915) from Edison 4M Blue Amberol Cylinder 2674

PRESS RELEASE:

MWC HOSTS FINE ARTS EXHIBITION AT HEADQUARTERS IN MONTREAL

Montreal-Based Aviation Group Displays Concordia Students
Innovative Artwork at Sponsoring Vernissage

MONTREAL, May 14, 2010 – Mechtronix World Corporation (MWC), one of the world’s leading providers of airline operations and training solutions, hosted yesterday an art exhibition featuring selected works from Concordia’s Fine Arts Faculty during a reception held at its premises in Montreal. In March, MWC granted the Mechtronix Graduate Award to a Concordia student symbolizing innovative excellence in visual arts who was selected by a review committee from the Fine Arts Faculty. At the reception, award-winner Ms. Carissa Carman, Fine Arts Master student, presented her artwork along with other Fine Arts students from the university. All founders of Mechtronix Systems Inc. were present at the ceremony to unveil the exhibition and congratulate the students for their creative work.

“Exhibiting at Mechtronix has become an innovation unto itself, not in the exhibition alone, but in the work of merging these two communities of thought together”, said Ms. Carissa Carman. “The “vernissage” is the event which opens up the exchange of dialogue over the technical, conceptual and material nature of artworks. For my fellow exhibiting colleagues, a flight simulator company, subverting into a gallery space is a wonder, a fascination. Many exhibitors are puzzled and fascinated by this unusual opportunity and eager to take part in establishing a sense of community and support within this partnership.”

Added Ms. Carman, “As the Concordia University exhibition coordinator and recent Mechtronix fellow, I will be presenting sewn and printed materials that demonstrate the material approach of my interactive and site specific social practice. The object component of my work maintains a playful and colorful choice of material and image making that prompts dialogue by activating the audience with fascination of unusual facts of science, life, food, community, culture and the dissemination of stories, instructions and even overheard conversations and tall tales.”

“We are very happy to accommodate the artwork from Concordia’s Fine Arts students at MWC and sponsor their innovative spirits”, said MWC CEO Fernando Petruzziello. “It is very important for us at Mechtronix to support the youth in any sector requiring creativeness, excellence and forward-thinking. Moreover, this new effort to promote art is a win-win situation; the students get to have their work on display and our R&D center, celebrating its first-year anniversary, features exquisite artwork illustrating our innovative culture.”

MWC hosts the exhibition from Concordia’s Fine Arts students as part of the scholarship recently created to encourage innovative excellence in visual arts. Following the recent prize awarded to Ms. Carman, two more students were granted a monetary award. The winners were elected by a selection committee composed of Mechtronix partners who chose two pieces of art best symbolizing innovation, a key concept which is at the core of MWC.

About Mechtronix World Corporation
Mechtronix World Corp. (MWC) is a world leader in the development and delivery of innovative aircrew training solutions for general, business and commercial aviation. Based in Montreal, the holding organization comprises three core operating divisions, Mechtronix Systems Inc., Mechtronix Capital and ETOPS Aviation Services. With a team of 250+ employees strategically located around the globe – America, Europe and Asia - MWC offers integrated solutions to provide customers with training and operational products and services to fund and support next generation training centers. Worldwide customers include major airlines, training centers and training organizations. Backed by the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Canada’s largest institutional investor and Richardson Capital Limited, a leading Canadian private equity firm, MWC is one of the top providers in the global flight simulation and training industry. To learn more, visit www.mwc.mechtronix.com.

For more information contact:

Mechtronix Systems Inc.
Adeline Gautier
Marketing Director
Tel.: +1 (514) 342-0800
agautier@mwc.mechtronix.com

VERDUN PILLAR/PLINTH BEWITCHMENT, 2009

2009-02-08T15:59:00.000-08:00

music: Camera Anodizzata (Double Anodized) by Ennio Morricone, from the soundtrack to Holocaust 2000 aka Rain of Fire, The Chosen, The Hex Massacre, a 1977 horror film directed by Alberto De Martino and starring Kirk Douglas.
Despite doomsday warnings from throngs of locals, wealthy industrialist Robert Caine (Kirk Douglas) makes the controversial decision to build a nuclear power plant near a sacred cave in the Middle East. But before Caine can reap the benefits of his latest bid for global domination, he discovers that his son, Angel (Simon Ward), is the Antichrist, who is planning to use his father's project to trigger the end of the world.

the dream sequence

EGO RESTORATION SWORD TRIFORCE OF THE DUKE, 2007

2008-12-11T11:11:00.000-08:00

materials: wood, toy tiaras, hoolahoop, chair, spray paint

Exhibited at Joyce Yahouda Gallery, Montreal, Quebec

LIL' LILLIPUTIAN LUNAR LANDERS, 2005

2008-12-11T11:00:00.000-08:00

THE JUNK OF CHRISTMAS PRECENSE, 2004

2008-12-11T10:51:00.000-08:00

DIGITAL PRINTS, WOOD, CANVAS, TIN FOIL, FOUND OBJECTS, THUNDERSTORM SOUNDS, PERFORMANCE

NEVER FALLING FOREVER FROM FIFTEEN FEET, 2002-2004

2008-12-11T10:34:00.000-08:00

tree, mannequin, clothing, steel, fiberglass
For Concordia University Visual Arts Building Sculpture Garden

DRAWINGS / 2001 - PRESENT

2008-12-11T01:24:00.000-08:00

ink on paper, based on vernacular photographs

2001 / 4" x 6"

2002 / 4" x 4"

2003 / 5"x5"

2004 / 20" x 24"

based on a found slide from 1974, enlarged with slide projector

CV

2008-12-10T13:46:00.000-08:00

Michael Doerksen

EDUCATION
2009 - 2012 Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, MFA Sculpture
2000 - 2004 Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, BFA – Major : Sculpture, Minor : Photography
1997 - 1999: Camosun College, Victoria, British Columbia, Fine Arts Diploma

EXHIBITION HISTORY
2011

Galerie Lilian Rodriguez, Montreal, PQ, June (slated).

Galerie Lilian Rodriguez, Montreal, PQ, Botanica: Art + Nature, January.

Saskatoon/Regina, Error Benders: Audio/Video Object Exhibition and Performance Series Curated and performed by Give & Make, March 28 – April 4 2011.

2010

Galerie Lillian Rodriguez, Montreal, PQ, Trevor Gould + Michael Doerksen, November.

Deluge Contemporary Art, Victoria, BC, World Telekinesis Competition, Curated by Noxious Sector, June.*

Mechtronix, Concordia MFA Exhibition, Montreal, March

2009

Deluge Contemporary Art, Victoria, BC, World Telekinesis Competition, Curated by Noxious Sector, June.*

Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery, Montreal, PQ, Making It Work, group exhibition on the theme of collaboration, curated by Susannah Wesley, May. *

Platform Gallery, Winnipeg, MN, exhibition with the Icelandic Love Corporation, screeneing of the DGC Fox Hunt film, April. *

Darling Foundry, Montreal, PQ, muscial performance with the Icelandic Love Corporation and the audience, March.

2008

Deluge Contemporary Art, Victoria, BC, 2008 World Telekinesis Competition, Curated by Noxious Sector, finished 1st place overall, June.*

Canadian Center for Architecture, Bookstore, Montreal, PQ, Launch of the DGC DVD Archive, August.*

2007

Open Space, Victoria, BC, Pulp, paper based exhibit sponsored by Xerox, sculpture : Yamaha Macaw, December.

Joyce Yahouda Gallery, Montreal, QC. Vincent Leduc : Autoportrait en commissaire, sculpture : Ego Restoration Sword Triforce of The Duke. July. Curator : Vincent Leduc

DGC~CGA Clubhouse, Verdun, QC, Kings Things, sculptural installation. June

Para/Site Art Space / loudspkr.org, Hong Kong, China, event Noufaux Riche film screening : The DGC-CGA Fox-Hunt, May.*

Paparazzi, The Hague, Netherlands, film screening: Of Black Kites against Black Skies, April.*

Springhill Institute, Birmingham, UK, Parallel Universes meet at Infinity, Capital Arts Projects Festival The Event, film screening : Of Black Kites against Black Skies, public performance for the Capital Arts Kiosk, April.*

2006

The Residence, London, England, film screening : The DGC-CGA Fox-Hunt, November.*

Firstdraft Gallery, Sydney, Australia, Rumours, The return of the Discriminating Gentlemen's Club / curator: Kathryn Gray, October.*

10th International Istanbul Biennial parallel project ctrl_alt_del sound-art festival produced by NOMAD, Istanbul, Turkey, composed Montreaustinia for Anthems for Austin and Montreal under my musical persona Deep Sleepover, September. Curator: Kyd Campbell

Springhill Institute, Birmingham, UK, Of Empires and Failure / Residency and performances, curators: Karen Kilhberg & Ruben Henry, August.*

The Horse Hospital, London, England, film screening : The DGC-CGA Fox-Hunt, August.*

Yergeau Gallery, Montréal, Quebec, The Hunt Ball, film screening : The DGC-CGA Fox Hunt, installation : Memorial Diorama / Le Bal des Chasseurs, curators : Merredith Carruthers and Susannah Wesley for Leisure Projects, July.*

Next Wave Festival, Melbourne, Australia, film screening : The DGC-CGA Fox Hunt, installation : Memorial Garden, curator : Marcus Westbury, March.*

2005

Rael Artel, Parnu, Estonia. Sculpture – Li’l Lilliputian Luna Lust. August.

Joyce Yahouda Gallery, Montreal, QC. Sculpture / print / installation – Li’l Lilliputian Lunar Landers. April – May.

Warrior Magazine HQ, exhibition for issue 3’s featured artists, Montreal, QC, sculpture : Lobotomy. March.

Bar Diana, Montreal, QC, Warrior Magazine launch for issue 2, sculpture : Public Viewing. January.

2004

Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery, Montreal, QC. Show Off. Sculpture : Tower of Tomorrow.

Studio Benim, Montreal, QC. Harbour Heights, performance : The Traveling Chessman with Ithamar Silver.

Art Mur, Art Matters Festival, Montreal, QC. You Are Here. sculpture / performance : The Junk of Christmas Presence.

2003

Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery, Concordia University, Montreal, QC. Green/Vert. Drawing : August ‘74.

2002

Concordia University Outdoor Sculpture Project, Montreal, QC. Never Falling Forever from Fifteen Feet. Oct. 2002 – Oct 2004.

2000

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, B.C. Annual Moss Street Paint-In. Performance of One Cent Portraits with Gregory Ball. July.

Open Space Gallery, Victoria, B.C. To Remain at a Distance. Interactive sculpture : Triptych Sequencer. July.

Open Space Gallery, Victoria, B.C. Quick Draw Two. Sculpture - Lantern. April

1999

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, B.C. Annual Moss Street Paint-In. Interactive performance : Draw Here. July.

Open Space Gallery, Victoria, B.C. The Occasional Furniture Show. Sculpture : Chair.

* with the Discriminating Gentlemen's Club.