give peace a chance

Few things are more worthy of our imagination than world peace.

And few things require more imagination - which is why I love the exhibit, IMAGINE: The Peace Ballad of John & Yoko, at the Musée des Beaux Arts.

There is much to praise about the show, beginning with creator Yoko Ono’s intent. The conceptual artist envisioned the expo as both a celebration of the 1969 Montreal Bed-In, and yet another grass roots appeal for peace.  In order for the message to reach as many people as possible, admission is free.

John and Yoko’s Bed-in for Peace was part honeymoon, part Vietnam war protest. The couple arrived at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal on May 26, and stayed for a week - appearing on radio shows, granting TV interviews, and entertaining Timothy Leary and other anti-war populists.

In footage from that week, Lennon is serious, silly, committed, and tired. He encourages alternatives to violence: “Stay in bed and grow your hair,” he says. “Less words, and more peace.”  Their suite at the QE comes alive with his music.

The exhibition recreates the event and the years surrounding it through drawings, unpublished photos, videos, books and films. But nothing takes the viewer back forty years like hearing the soundtrack, with songs by Lennon.

There are several participatory elements, including the opportunity for visitors to record their own bed-in, and share the photos and videos on the museum website.

Visitors can play “Imagine” on a replica of Lennon’s white piano, stamp “Imagine Peace” on maps of the world, and read works by Nobel Peace Prize winners in the Peace Library

Free films about John and Yoko, including “Gimme Some Truth: The Making of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ Album,” will be shown throughout the month of May.

The message is still timely and universal, and even businesses are helping spread the word - a number have offered their services in association with the expo, free of charge.

In a press conference promoting the show, the still youthful looking Ono insisted that when it comes to creating world peace, “each person has an incredible power.” It’s ironic that in this world of viral marketing, we need to be reminded that we can each make a difference.

If you go:  Montreal Musée des Beaux Arts, 1380 Sherbrooke Ouest, open T-F, 11-5 (W until 9); Sat Sun 10-5.  Until June 21, 2009.

Photograph courtesy Christine Sawyer.

the artist’s montreal, october 23-25, 2009

Experience Montreal from an artist’s perspective!

Six artists and art lovers joined us for a stimulating weekend of looking, learning, and conversation.  Here are a few comments, followed by a description of the trip.  We haven’t yet set another date for The Artist’s Montreal - but let us know if you’re interested!

It was so relaxing to spend time with my friends and make new friends in a wonderful city. Seeing the art was fantastic. The food was wonderful. I really enjoyed this trip! SD, Florida

Susan’s insights in the museums were most valuable. I would never have gotten that information on my own. SB, Colorado

I really loved seeing the printmaking studio. Partly because that is something we don’t have here, and I really like knowing it exists elsewhere. JM, Vermont

We’ll engage your intellect, your intuition, and all of your senses as we explore the beautiful streets and the world class galleries and museums of Montreal.

What’s special about this trip
• Painter Susan Abbott is a teacher par excellence. She has traveled widely and taught drawing and painting extensively. This workshop will integrate visual inspiration and art history.

• We’ll visit Montreal’s best museums and galleries, where we’ll look at specific paintings together, and learn about the evolution of Canadian art.

• In addition to guided museum visits, we’ll get to know historic and creative elements of Montreal through guided walking tours. We’ll sample wonderful food, art, architecture and crafts.

• We’ll balance group time and independent exploration. Our small group - 5-8 women, each with a single room - gives you your own space, while allowing opportunities for meaningful connections and stimulating conversations.

A sample day

9:00 - 12:00 - Visit the Musée des Beaux Arts, a short Métro ride from our hotel. Founded in 1860, the museum has one of North America’s finest encyclopedic collections. Susan will be our guide as we explore Canadian art, and a temporary expo on the Pre-Raphaelites.

12:00 - 2:00 - Lunch nearby, at Nicocchi - a small, light-filled café known for its Mediterannean-inspired pannini and salads, macaroons, and cookies made with chick pea flour.

2:00 - 5:00 - We’ll take the Métro to Old Montreal, where our walking tour will take in narrow, cobbled streets, fabulous architecture, some of the city’s best galleries, and a market with clothing and crafts made in Canada.

5:00 - Free time, for more exploring, shopping, or a spa treatment. Afterward, continue conversations with your trip mates over dinner. There are many excellent restaurants in this quartier - we’ll suggest options that match your taste and budget.

8:00 - Perhaps a jazz club after dinner - we’ll let you know what’s available and help you get there.

Trip leaders
Susan Abbott graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Maryland Institute, College of Art, and received her MFA from the Hoffberger School of Painting at the Maryland Institute. She went on to study intaglio print making in the graduate department of the University of Iowa under Mauricio Lasansky. She has traveled extensively, painting in Mexico, Central America and Europe. She has taught in the US, Europe and India. Her watercolor and oil paintings have been exhibited in galleries and museum shows in New York, Chicago, Washington, and many other cities. Her work is represented in numerous private and corporate collections in the US and abroad. See samples of Susan’s work at www.susanabbott.com.

Karen Kane owns Paris by Design and Montreal by Design, travel consulting services that specialize in fantastic trips to Paris and Montreal. Her work has been recognized by the NY Times, LA Times, Boston Globe, Montreal Gazette, Houston Chronicle, Delta Sky Magazine, and National Public Radio. On this trip, Karen will take you inside Montreal, the world’s second largest French speaking city. She’ll lead you to her favorite parts of Montreal, introduce you to some of her favorite people, work with you to personalize the independent time in your itinerary, and teach you everything you need to know about Montreal culture.

What’s included
• 3 days and 2 nights in Montreal
• A single room in a quartier that is home to the largest concentration of artists in Canada
• Daily breakfast, two inspirational lunches, and a fantastic group dinner
• Two experienced leaders, providing guided museum visits and guided walks that get you off the beaten path and allow you experience Montreal’s creative culture in many forms
• A personalized notebook, including additional Montreal addresses of particular interest that will help you discover arts venues, restaurants, shopping, and more
• Museum entries and Métro tickets
• Recommendations for and help arranging optional activities, including performances, a spa appointment and the like

Not included
• Transportation to Montreal, airport transfers
• Personal expenses
• Passports and travel insurance

Cost and registration
Cost is $980 per person, single occupancy, if registered before June 15, 2009. Cost is $1,099 after June 15.

Registration is on a first come, first served basis, and we expect this trip to fill quickly. Minimum group size is 5; maximum is 8. A deposit of $500 is required to reserve your place in The Artist’s Montreal.

Are you interested?
To register, or for a detailed itinerary, contact Karen Kane, at 800 430 5436, or email karen@montrealbydesign.com. For art-related questions, contact Susan Abbott at sa@susanabbott.com.