ARTIST LAURENCE WEYAND RETURNS TO HER HOMETOWN OF BIDDEFORD, MAINE FOR HER FIRST SOLO EXHIBITION IN THE STATES
PREVIEW: JULY 28 from 4-5PM with an artist introduction and talk
OPENING: JULY 28 from 5-8PM during Biddeford+Saco ArtWalk
HISTORIC TOUR & STORYTELLING AND MINIATURES WORKSHOP: AUG 2 from 10am-3pm (tour is optional) TICKETS
Montreal, Quebec artist Laurence Weyand has been chosen to present her multimedia installation, Biddeford-Montreal, at Engine in Biddeford, Maine, located at 128 Main Street, from July 28 through August 18, 2017. An opening reception will be held on July 28th from 5-8pm to coincide with the Biddeford+Saco ArtWalk. Biddeford-Montreal deals with issues surrounding the loss of jobs for mill workers in the area.
Growing up splitting her time between Biddeford and Montreal, Weyand attended Concordia University (Montreal), earning a BFA in Animated Film (2009) and in Fibres and Material Practices (2013). She is currently working towards her MFA at Concordia University.
During the fall of 2016, Weyand returned to Biddeford to conduct research and interviews with mill workers from the Pepperell Mills, a former textile-manufacturing hub in New England. Due to off shoring of American manufacturing in 1970, these skilled workers were left unemployed and their personal histories speak to the small town abandonment seen widely across North America. Weyand has mirrored these stories with those of artisans, D.I.Y. specialists and used-clothing store employees in Montreal, Quebec to culminate in the multimedia installation, Biddeford-Montreal.
Through this project, Weyand gives these workers’ voice and stories a new chance to be heard. Along with the audio segments recorded from interviews, Weyand has created compelling dioramas and miniatures to accompany the listening and learning experience. Transforming the gallery into a homey and welcoming learning space. Visitors are invited to sit in the cozy up-cycled furniture while they listen to the audio segments through headphones, and interact with the corresponding tiny visuals.
Entrance is free and light refreshments will be served. Biddeford-Montreal can be experienced during the Engine’s regular opening hours: Wednesday-Friday 1-6pm and Saturday 11am-4pm.
Engine: Propelling the Creative Community is a non-profit community arts organization, which focuses on fostering and integrating the arts, design, education and creative entrepreneurialism as significant community values. Engine strives to present exhibitions and programs that reflect Biddeford’s heritage in the industrial and textile design and makers’ fields.
For further information about Larry Weyand’s work, please visit her website at http://laurence-weyand.squarespace.com.