WinterCity Festival - Exhibit - Paintings Below Zero January 26, 2007

The American Express Ice Gallery
featuring Gordon Halloran's Paintings Below Zero

January 26 - February 4, 2007
Monday to Friday: 5 - 10 pm
Saturdays: noon - 10 pm
Sundays: noon - 6 pm
FREE!

Toronto premiere!

Paintings Below Zero is an installation of boldly coloured, abstract paintings in ice — enormous in scale and yet intricate in detail — with stunning patterns created by pigments combining with the crystal structure of the ice.

This uniquely Canadian art form was created by Vancouver artist Gordon Halloran. Described by Halloran as "big paintings for a big country," these massive ice installations are inspired by Canada's vast winter landscape of ice and snow.

On display in the American Express Ice Gallery, Halloran's dramatic project for the WinterCity Festival explores issues of climate change, global warming and melting ice caps. The installation will cover 800 square feet, featuring an 80 foot wall of three dimensional ice paintings reaching heights of up to 10 feet. Nathan Phillips Square's ice rink will also be used as a giant canvas, inviting the public to become part of the art by skating on the surface of the paintings.

Gordon Halloran's Paintings Below Zero was a highlight of the Cultural Olympiad in Turin, Italy (2006). Halloran was the only Canadian invited to represent Canada in Turin. His installation was "an homage to Canada," as host country for the next Olympic Winter Games.