Omnis Temporalis is a multiform collaborative project that combines artistic genres by drawing together the cartoon work by renowned Canadian cartoonist Seth with original music and performance by Vancouver-based composer Mark Haney
Date/Time: May 26 2017, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Richmond, Richmond Cultural Centre | Event calendarCost: Free
Omnis Temporalis is based on Seth’s picture novella, George Sprott: 1894-1975. Mark Haney’s original musical work, written over the last four years, explores notions of an idealized Canada as depicted in Seth’s fictional city of Dominion where George Sprott lives. Notably, “Omnis Temporalis” is both the title of Haney’s new work and the written motto beneath Dominion’s Coat of Arms, foreshadowing the inevitability of change. Through various portrayals of the eponymous protagonist of the novella, George Sprott, Seth’s narrative explores themes of identity, time, change, loss and memory.
In 2011 Haney approached Seth for permission to use the critically acclaimed George Sprott: 1894-1975 as the basis for this new work. Seth enthusiastically embraced the project and their ongoing dialogue has resulted in collaboration. Significantly, Seth is creating a large new work for the RAG exhibition – an entire cartoon space devoted to the construction of Dominion’s television station, CKCK. Drawings and enlargements from George Sprott will be included with a selection of sketchbooks by Seth as well as a large-scale 3D cardboard model of the CKCK television station.
There will be ten scheduled performances of Omnis Temporalis over the run of the exhibition. George Sprott (performed by Richard Newman) tells his story through dialog and song supported by an ensemble of characters and a trio of alto/bass flute, cello and double bass. Many of Dominion City’s landmarks are brought to life, including the Coronet Hall and CKCK TV with characters from George’s life.
Mark Haney has been playing stand-up bass for over two decades. By integrating his work with other arts in form and presentation, Haney has succeeded in drawing in new audiences, reaching new communities while expanding his artistic exploration by partnering with artists of excellence in music and other genres. His critically acclaimed CD Aim for the Roses was made into a feature film by filmmaker John Bolton. He has composed for live performance, recordings, film and art exhibitions, and has performed regularly with symphony orchestras (the VSO, Kamloops, Vancouver Island), new music ensembles (Redshift Music, Aventa), musical theatre (Bard on the Beach, the PuSH Festival) and popular music (The Beige, Anne Murray, Leahy, Rodney DeCroo). He is the Artistic Director of The Little Chamber Music Series That Could.
Cartoonist and designer, Seth is the author of several award-winning comic books and graphic novels including George Sprott: 1894-1975. The book was originally commissioned in serial form by The New York Times Magazine, and was featured in KRAZY! The Delirious World Of Anime + Comics + Video Games + Art, at the Vancouver Art Gallery with Seth as one of the co-curators. His innumerable international awards for his books and book designs include the Doug Wright, Inkpot and Harvey Kurztman Awards, and the Prix d’Angoulême. His art regularly adorns the pages and covers of the magazine The New Yorker. Seth lives in Guelph, Ontario.
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