One of the first signs of hope for a change in the local arts community is the National Gallery of Canada’s newest video installation.
“The Clock,” which was created by Christan Marclay, splices together thousands of film clips that coincide with viewers’ exact time in real life.
The installation, while ambitious, is nothing new for the gallery’s contemporary collection. What’s new is that the gallery is offering all-night screenings of the 24-hour video to coincide with Winterlude.
The curator of contemporary art said he didn’t know what to expect but people stayed all night and stopped by in the wee hours. “Ottawa isn’t New York or London,” he remarked.
But why can’t it be?
Bringing in more nighttime arts events is what Ottawa needs to get on par with major cities. If the city really wants to invest in its arts community it needs to focus its efforts on developing a more experience-based arts scene in place of bars or clubs. After all, art shouldn’t have a 9 p.m. curfew.
A night arts scene wouldn’t only benefit the arts community, but the city itself. Events like Nuit Blanche in Toronto have proven that late-night art events bring in tourists and draw out people who might not normally be attracted to museum exhibitions.
Ottawa is going to be launching its own Nuit Blanche, which will hopefully include installations like “The Clock.”
Both art events are great, but Ottawa needs events year round to develop a late-night arts scene. This can’t just be a one-night stand.
