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Zbigniew Blazeje

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki



Zigy Blazeje: Original Toronto Star caption: Zbigniew Blazeje presents light boxes in strips of highly colored acrylic sheets, at the Electric Gallery.
Zbigniew Blazeje
BornZbigniew Blazejewicz
June 2, 1942
Barnaul, Siberia
💀DiedAugust 16, 2004 (2004-08-17) (aged 62)
Toronto, Ontario, CanadaAugust 16, 2004 (2004-08-17) (aged 62)
🏳️ NationalityCanadian
🏫 EducationRoyal Conservatory of Music, Toronto; Ontario College of Art (now: OCAD University).
💼 Occupation
Notable workAudio Kinetic Environment
StyleSculpture
🥚 TwitterTwitter=
label65 = 👍 Facebook

Search Zbigniew Blazeje on Amazon.



Zbigniew Blazeje was a Canadian visual artist who was Siberian by birth. He came to Canada by way of Iran, India and the United States.[1] He studied primarily at the Royal Conservatory of Music and at the Ontario College of Art. Amongst his classmates were John-Mills Cockell, Pauline Oliveros, Ann Southam, John Beckwith, R. Murray Scaheffer, to name a few. He was also instructor at the Ontario College of Art and City College of New York. He was the youngest artist at the time to receive a one person show at the Art Gallery of Ontario.[2] He was also a co-founder of the Centre for Contemporary Art in Toronto.

'In a recent interview Miss Dorothy Cameron, art consultant for the National Gallery of Canada said, "Mr. Blazeje creates environments of painted relief constructions which flash from flat colour to black and white to fluorescent colour... involving moving parts and optical effects... all synchronized with electronic music. Really a kind of theatre. Andy Warhol, New York Pop Artist, thinks Blazeje is better than anyone in the kinetic field in New York."[3]

Education[edit]

  • Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto.
    • Sample composition by Blazeje:
  • Ontario College of Art, Toronto.

Canada Council Grants[edit]

Junior grants, 1966, 1967 & 1969.

Ontario Arts Council Grants[edit]

1979 & 1981

Early Exhibitions[edit]

  • November 2 & 3, 1962, "Paintings and Drawings by Zigy Blazeje at the Bohemian Embassy."[4]
  • "Coffee House Art is Haphazard," by Carol Chapman, 10 November 1962, . [5]
  • O.S.A. Travelling exhibition throughout Ontario.
  • "Winners Named in Art Society." Exhibition at Bohemian Embassy, March 22, 1965.[6]
  • Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, 1965.
  • "A Touch of Tradition," by Kay Kritzweiser[7].
  • Optical Kinetic Structures, Blue Barn Gallery, Ottawa, November 3 - 28, 1965.[8]
  • Blue Barn Gallery, Bell's Corners November 6, 1965.[9]
  • Tenth Winnipeg Show, Winnipeg Art Gallery, 1965[10]
  • Group show, Art Gallery of Toronto, March, 1965. Blazeje $100 prize for his painting "Composition 30".[11]
  • Popculture, Popfest, 15 January, 1966[12]
  • Art Gallery, University of Alberta.
  • Sample composition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyDhHjnYoTI

Audio-Kinetic Environment[edit]

Audio-Kinetic Environment[13] This installation was done in collaboration with Terry Rusling providing electronic music.[14] The installation was described in ArtsCanada (February 1967) as follows: "Toronto artist Zbigniew Blazeje's Audio-Kinetic Environment, seen at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, last year (January 19 - February 2, 1966) consisted of about twenty-two panels and several moving pieces constructed of wood and plastic. All were coated with fluorescent and phosphorescent paints. Their colours were activated by the continuous play of a lighting system synchronized to taped electronic music patterns."[15][16][17][18] Exhibition toured 10 cities:

  • Ottawa [19]
  • Albright-Knox Gallery, Buffalo, New York, 1965.
  • Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, January 20 - February 6, 1966
  • "Statements by 18 Canadian Artists," Norman Mackenzie Art Gallery, Regina, February 17 - March 10, 1966 [20]
  • Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon, March 24 - April 14, 1966.[21]
  • "Winnipeg Bienniale," Winnipeg Art Gallery, Winnipeg, April 28 - May 19, 1966. [22]
  • Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Montreal, June 28 - Aug 21, 1966. [23][24]
  • Confederation Centre Art Gallery, Charlottetown, September 20 - October 9, 1966.[25]
  • New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, November 10 - December 11, 1966.
  • Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Kingston, January 6 - 29, 1967.
  • Art Gallery, University of Calgary
  • UBC Fine Arts Gallery (now Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery), Arts Festival, February 1 to February 11, 1967
  • Environmental Room, Expo 67 Canadian Pavilion Montreal, April 27 - October 29, 1967[26]

Harry A. Malcolmson, in an article in the Toronto Star on August 1966 commented: "There are artists in Toronto attempting to create environments as works of art in a McLuhanistic way. Ziggy Blazeje presented an environmental exhibition last year at the Art Gallery of Toronto in which the art bombarded the spectator's eyes, ears and touch simultaneously."[27] The exhibit initially opened with pre-recorded music selected by Blazeje. In an interview with Terry Rusling on CBC Radio, Rusling said that Blazeje approached him as he was not content with the quality of the music. Rusling stated he spent some time watching the kinetic installation and then proceeded to create a new score for the exhibition in Toronto and this music was used throughout the exhibits tour of Canada. A notice of the exhibit travelling throughout Canada was printed in Maclean's magazine.[28] An announcement of a public talk discussing the exhibit was held at the gallery. [29] A press release for the New Brunswick Museum installation contained the following quote from the National Gallery of Canada's art consultant, Dorothy Cameron:

'Mr. Blazeje creates environments of painted relief constructions which flash from flat colour to black and white to florescent colour... involving moving parts, and optical effects... all synchronized with electronic music, really a kind of theatre. Andy Warhol, New York Pop artist, thinks Blazeje is better than anyone in the kinetic field in New York.'[30] This included Blazeje's Audio-Kinetic Environment., Constructions by Montreal Artists 1966-67; David Samila one man exhibition and Gouaches by Michael Morris. Buckminster Fuller gave the opening address.

Later Exhibits[edit]

  • Sixth Festival of the Contemporary Arts: 4 exhibitions, UBC Fine Arts Gallery: Zbigniew Blazeje, An Audio Kinetic Environment; Michael Morris, David Samila. Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery, from February 1 to 11, 1967.
  • Centennial Performing Arts Festival, February 16 - 19. "It was a student run festival featuring contemporary artists, critics, poets, musicians, filmmakers, and actors from the York University community and beyond. Featured artists (including student artists) are: Leonard Cohen, Greg Curnoe, Dorothy Cameron, Dalton Camp, Zbigniew Blazeje, the Brian Brown Trio, Michael Collie, Keith Harrison, Joe Rosenblatt, Robert Fothergill, Michael Hirsch, Marion Radelaar and Peter Dewdney.[31]
  • Art Gallery, McMaster University, 1967.
  • Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona, 23 April, 1967, page 31. Reference to environmental artists mentioning Bazeje's installation at University of Toronto.
  • Jewel Multiplex Response, Exhibition Place, Toronto, 1967. This was his first large outdoor illuminated crystal structure. It made electric sounds and lamps flashed as the viewer walked through photo electric beams." [32]
  • Group show at the Art Gallery of Ontario featuring Blazeje's "Self Illuminating Chakra Environment." Other artists included Les Levine, Michael Hayden (artist), Joyce Weiland, Francois Dallegret and Claus Oldenburg.
  • “Centennial Exhibition: Quebec and Ontario Contemporary Painters 1967”, 4-26 Feb 1967, at our first location. Curated by Bert Henderson (KWAG Curator 1960-67). KWAG was the premier venue for a tour of 11 Ontario venues plus one in Quebec. An exhibition of 14 Quebec and 13 Ontario artists. The show was so large (for our first location) that it was shown jointly at KWAG and at the Gaslight Gallery (Kitchener). The other venues were located in Guelph, Sarnia, London, Toronto, Owen Sound, Kingston, St. Catharines, Woodstock, Windsor and in (Jan 1968) Montreal. [33]
  • Architecture and Sculpture Canada.
  • Expo 67, Canadian Pavilion (with Terry Rusling music).
  • Sculpture 1967, City Hall Toronto, 1967: Blazeje was a contributing artist to this special centennial exhibition June 1, 1967 - July 17, 1967.[30][34]
  • Plastics, Art Gallery of Ontario. 1968.
  • Gallery McKay, Montreal, 1968
  • Light and Motion, Galerie MacKay, Montreal, April 10 - May 17, 1968.
  • “Ontario Centennial Art Exhibition”, 24 Apr-17 May 1968, at our first location. Organised and circulated by the Art Gallery of Ontario. An exhibition of 41 works. The full exhibition, as mounted by the Art Gallery of Ontario in the previous year, was 178 works and was accompanied by a catalogue. Blazeje’s work was titled “Contrapuntal No. 2” and was loaned by the Art Institute of Ontario. [33]
  • Group exhibit in 55th Floor Gallery in the Toronto Dominion Centre and solo show at the Carmen Lamanna Gallery, June 1968.[35][36]
  • Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Sable Gallery, June 1966, Montreal.[37]
  • Solo exhibit, Hart House Gallery, University of Toronto, December 1969.[38]
  • The Selective Eye, Art Gallery of Ontario, February 1969: a group show with Zbigniew Blazeje, Les Levine, Karl Beveridge, Royden Rabinowitch, David Rabinowitch, David Bolduc, and Milly Ristvedt.[39]
  • Contemporary Canadian Painting, 1 May-7 Jun 1969, at our second location. Organised and circulated by the Extension Department of the Art Gallery of Ontario. Curated by Alan Toff? An exhibition of works by 25 Canadian artists and including 5 pieces of sculpture. Blazeje’s work was titled Structural 1965 No. 16 and was in the Collection of the AGO.
  • "Eerie fetishism is this show's hallmark" by Gail Dexter, Toronto Star, 20 February 1969, p. 28. She remarks on Blazeje's contribution to exhibit "The Selective Eye,": "...Blazeje's series of illuminated film strips are handsomely mounted in a black stairwell to produce a glittering array of color."
  • Electric Art, University of California, Los Angeles Art Gallery (January 19 - March 23, 1969) & Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona (April 15, - June 15, 1969), by Oliver Andrews and Jack Burnham.[40]
  • Art for Architecture - "The Wall", 7-30 Nov 1969, at our second location. Organised and circulated by the Art Gallery of Ontario. Curated by Anita Aarons, allied arts editor for Architecture Canada magazine. The exhibit toured 8 Ontario art centres.
  • Toronto Star, December 5, 1969, p. 28.
  • Globe & Mail, December 18, 1969, p. 24. Exhibition at the Hart House Gallery where he again uses the Audio-Kinetic format which is introduced at a later date of the exhibition. The article references "classical music," in this case which is changed during to rock music in a second phase. The third phase to electronic music. Sources are not identified in the article.
  • George William University, Montreal.
  • Exhibit opened 12 June 1970, Art Research Centre, Kansas City, Missouri.[41]
  • Sensory Perception, travelling exhibit to various Ontario centres. 1970-71.
  • 3-D in the Seventies, Art Gallery of Ontario and to various Canadian centres.
  • Light and Movement, York University, Toronto; Winnipeg Art Gallery. 1971.
  • Exhibit at Kitchener-Waterloo Gallery circa March 1971. Blazeje's work was included in this group exhibition called Sensory Perceptions. Along with Blazeje's Metamorphic Two, this exhibit curated by Anita Aarons also included work by Michael Hayden, Pat Fulford, and Les Levine. The exhibition toured to various Canadian centres including the Art Gallery of Ontario.
  • New Media, Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, 1971.
  • Electric Gallery, April 7-25, 1971. "Blazeje has refined ideas present in his previous well-known Audio-Kinetic Environment and his Environmental Room from Expo 67.
  • Computer Conference, Atlantic City, NJ, 1971.
  • Buffalo University, Buffalo, New York.
  • York University, Toronto, 1972.
  • "Electric Gallery +3," McCurdy-Bursell Films, Toronto, April, 1972."
  • The Electric Gallery, Nov. 8 - Dec. 7, 1972: colour field light paintings.
  • Included in a show by the Electric Gallery which toured during 1972-1973 including:
    • Art Gallery, University of Waterloo, 1972.
    • Rothman's Art Gallery, Stratford.
    • "Plastic in Art," Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto.
    • McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa.
    • Owens Art Gallery, Sackville, New Brunswick. 1973.
    • New Brunswick Museum, St. John, New Brunswick.
    • Art 4, Basel, Switzerland.
    • Beth Tzedec Congregation, Toronto.
      • Group Shows
        • 1974:
          • Art Gallery of Windsor.
          • Musee D'art Contemporain, Montreal.
          • Espace V, Montreal.
          • Art 5, Basel, Switzerland.
          • IKI, Dusseldorf, Germany.
        • 1975
          • "Serene and Sentimental," York University, Toronto.
          • Rotterdam Kunststichting, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
          • Woodstock Art Gallery.
          • Art Gallery of Windsor.
          • Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery.
          • "Upfront '75, Pinetree Building, Toronto.
          • Art 6, Basel, Switzerland.
        • 1976
          • "Electric Art in Boxes," The Electric Gallery, Toronto.
          • Gairloch Gallery, Oakville, Ontario.
          • "Ontario Now:"
          • "The Electric Show" Group show of electric/kinetic art by Canadian, American and European artists curated by the Electric Gallery.
            • Art Gallery of Hamilton.
            • Kitchener-Waterloo Gallery.
            • McIntosh Gallery, University of Western Ontario
          • Festival of Light, Harbourfront Gallery, Toronto in cooperation with the Electric Gallery
        • 1977
          • A travelling exhibit of prints installed in public libraries in Ontario included Blazeje's Structures.
          • 5 original prints by Zbigniew Blazeje included in Catalogue of Permanent Art Collection: Centre for Contemporary Art.
  • Owen's Art Gallery, New Brunswick, 1973.
  • Musee d'Art Contemporain, Montreal, 1974.
  • Espace V, Montreal, 1974.
  • Environmental Audio Visual, Algonquin College, March 20 - April 19, 1974.
  • 1975. Commissioned installation for Statistics Canada building which also involved audio, lighting and kinetic elements.[42]
  • Upfront 75 (New Directions in Canadian Sculpture), May 14, 1975 - June 25, 1975.
  • Electric Gallery, 1975.
  • "Pop music lights up Hart House art show," An exhibit at Hart House (University of Toronto) reviewed by Barry Lord.[43] This article refers to prior work invcluding the Audio Kinetic Environment (which was a collaboration with electronic composer Terry Rusling) as well as a light box show held recently at Carmen Lamanna Gallery in Toronto.
  • Sensory Perceptions, Art Gallery of Ontario, touring eight Ontario art Centres., 1970-1971.
  • Lawrence Whittington Gallery, Kansas City, Missouri, 1976.
  • Mackenzie Gallery, Trent University, Peterborough,
  • Zbigniew Blazeje, Structures, lithography print, (Toronto: CCA), 1977. Carleton University Art Gallery. [44]
  • "Blazeje participates in art contest," Zena Cherry, February 14, 1978, Globe & Mail. "Last summer a contest, Big Ballot for Sculpture, was held at Ontario Place. Eleven sculptors submitted design proposals and visitors voted for the one they liked best.The sculptors were Zbigniew Blazeje, Haydn Davies, Kosso Eloul, Andre Fauteux, Mark Gomes, Nobuo Kuboto, William McElcheran and Colette Whiten of Toronto, Ted Bieler of Locust Hill, Edward Zelenak of West Lorne, and Vancouver-born Michael Hayden, who lives in Malibu Lake, Calif."
  • Zena Cherry, "No 'silly academics' here: she reports that Blazeje is treasurer." November 23, 1978, The Globe and Mail.
  • ZENA CHERRY, "No 'silly academics' here," The Globe and Mail; Toronto, Ont. 23 Nov 1978: T.2. Indicates Blazeje was treasurer for Art's Sake, Inc.
  • Lithographs to May 3. April 29, 1979, The Globe and Mail, p.38.
  • Ceramics group show, Sept 15, 1979 with Blazeje, Bolduc, Burton, Cliff, Coughtry, Hedrick, Lywod, Markle, Mendes, et. a.l.
  • Reactive paintings and sculptures in a sound environment. ACT Gallery (Art Sake, Inc., August 8, 1980, The Globe and Mail.
  • Announcement of Reactive paintings and sculptures in a sound environment. ACT Gallery, 424 Wellington W. To Aug. 30. In John Bentley Mays column, The Globe and Mail, August 16, 1980, p. E.11.
  • Artists Review Vol. 4, No. 1, interview with regard to his exhibition A.C.T.ivated. (August 9-30, 1980) by Tony McAuley, August 20, 1980.
  • Structures with Light and Original Lithographs, Toronto Centre for Contemporary Art, September, 1981.
  • Visible Fire, group show at Art Sake Inc., August 1981. Show was presented under the aegis of Arts' Sake Inc., Institute for Visual Art. [45]
  • Red Beams in a Blue Box: Electronic Paintings, Hart House Gallery under the, Toronto, October 20 - November 6, 1981.
  • Electric Art from Toronto's Electric Gallery, January 8 - 29, 1977, Artspace, Peterborough. Slide talk with Zbigniew Blazeje concurrent with Mackenzie Gallery, Trent University.
  • New Painting, New Art Gallery of Toronto, January 4- 28, 1983.
  • Artists with their work, Art Gallery of Ontario, 1983.
  • Electric Gallery, Toronto, Ont. 1984. [46]
  • New Art Gallery Of Toronto, January 1985.[47]
  • "Pieces come to life only under the sun," by Christopher Hume, Toronto Star, 05 Jan 1985: p. H5. Review of his exhibition Space Windows at The New Art Gallery of Toronto. The article makes mention of apiece from 1969 called Deep Blue. This work "responds to a variety of sound stimuli. It can be plugged into an electric guitar, stereo, microphone or anything else."
  • "Exhibit features 55 works AGO gets the General Idea," by John Bentley Mays, The Globe and Mail, Apr. 2, 1985, page M9. "Discovery/1, a juried display and sale of works by unaffiliated artists, will take place June 4 to 7. The jury includes Peeter Sepp, executive director of the Ontario Association of Art Galleries; dealer Carla Garnet; Elizabeth McLuhan, curator of the Art Gallery at York University; and artist Zigy Blazeje."
  • Moose in the City was a year 2000 project by the City of Toronto in which 326 life-sized moose sculptures were placed throughout the city and decorated by local artists which Blazeje particIpated.
  • Blazeje's painting is the cover of "Father-In-Law" a record album by Intersystems (John Mills-Cockell, Michael Hayden, Dik Zander & Blake Parker) 2nd album Peachy.
  • Response Environmentals & Illuminated Graphics, June 14-27, ????, Carmen Lamanna Gallery, Toronto, Canada.
  • Group show with Norman White, Guido Molinari, Jacques Hurtubise, Carmen Lamanna Gallery, Toronto, Canada.
  • This is Montreal! by Andrew Hunter: Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery (2008) which included Blazeje's Structural 75 #12, acrylic on canvas with plexiglass & wood[48].
  • Included in group exhibit Bursting with Colour March-April 2013 at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery March-April. Review of same in the Journal Pioneer (16 March) and The Guardian (21 March)
  • 18 Sep 2013, Group Show at Centre in the Square, Waterloo with work by Zbigniew Blazeje, Evergon, Harold Feist, Vera Frenkel, Janis Hoogstraten, Jean Noel, Michele Provost and Milly Ristvedt
  • 2018, Luminous, Confederation Centre of the Arts ,Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Included are a 1965 painted construction by Zbigniew Blazeje. January 20, 2018 - March 18, 2018.

Collections:[edit]

National Gallery of Canada: 1) Composition plastic, 18 x 18, 1972. Space Structure, 1978.

Collections: Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto; Norman McKenzie Art Gallery, Regina, Sask; Confederation Art Gallery, Charlottetown, PEI; Hart House University of Toronto; Sir George William University, Montreal, Que.

Commissions: Structural sculpture, Ross Library Bldg, York University, 1972.

Academic:[edit]

Kinetic Art, Toronto Board of Education 1970-1971

Artist Visit Program: ten high schools

Instructor Environmental Art, Ontario College of Art, Toronto, 1970-1972;

Instructor Environmental Art, New School of Art, Toronto, 1971-1972.

Treasurer and instructor for Arts Sake, Inc.[49]

Ontario College Of Art, Toronto, 1971-2: Electric Environment; Light Concepts.

University of Calgary, Nickel Galleries, Arts' Sake Portfolio: Lighter Than Air (13 works), 1979.

Later life:[edit]

On April 22, 1972 The Toronto Star published two articles where Blazeje was the main topic. Robert Fulford wrote a piece entitled The art boom that never really happened. Fulford wrote:

"One night about two years ago I got into a cab in downtown Toronto. The driver was Zbigniew Blazeje. A few years before, a Toronto newspaper had proclaimed him the most promising artist of the season and the Art Gallery of Toronto had given him the rare honor of a one-man show. His exhibition of electronic sculpture--light, sound and glass ingeniously combined-- had toured Canada and played with some success at the Canadian pavilion at Expo 67. Nobody doubted he had a great future."

"But by 1970 he was driving a taxi, intermittently, in order to make a few dollars."

The second article same page was called "Picture of an artist after acclaim dies."[50] by Bruce Kirkland, Toronto Star. The article mentions some interesting facts: In 1966 the year of his collaboration with Terry Rusling on Audio-Kinetic Environment he sold $1,200, in 67, $800 and in 70-71 about $2000 worth. During the same period he received three Canada Council Grants. One for $2,500 and two for $3,500. The article mentions an exhibit currently in Hamilton at McMaster University. It also mentions an exhibit at the Toronto Electric Gallery in April, 1971. He was also involved in the Alliance of Technology and Art which works with factories recycling their metal and plastic scrap for the use of artists.

Blazeje died August 16, 2004 in Toronto[51].

Awards:[edit]

  • Honourable Mention, O.S.A., Art Gallery of Ontario
  • Canada Council: Junior Grant
  • Junior Materials Grant
  • Canada Council Bursary
  • Ford Foundation Lecture Grant
  • Royal Canadian Academy of Art (new member)

Press References:[edit]

  • "Local Painter Wins Award," Brampton Daily Times and Conservator, March 24, 1965.
  • "Acoustics plus view used in art exhibition," Ottawa Citizen, November 10, 1965.
  • "The Magic Realism of Alex Colville," by K. K. The Globe and Mail, 15 January 1966, p. 15. Also mentions an exhibition by Blazeje for "Pop Culture, Popfest," at University College to be held January 21 & 22. "Michael Hayden and Zigy Blazeje will present a second exhibition entitles Audio-Kinetic Environment" by Kay Kritzwiser.
  • "Zigy turns on art plus electronic score," by Kay Kritzwiser, The Globe and Mail, 20 January 1966, p. 10.
  • "AT THE GALLERIES: "Venerable age and downy youth join forces," Kay Kritzweiser, The Globe and Mail, 20 January 1966, p. 15. Here it refers to "his own score," of Bach and Stockhausen, which indicates chosen music rather than music by composed by Blazeje. This confirms the truth of Terry Rusling's description of events where the initial music was replaced by Rusling composition as Blazeje worked with Rusling at CBC radio and both attended the electronic music seminar at University of Toronto music department as was mentioned in interviews on CBC radio.
  • "Amateur art at the City Hall," by Robert Fulford, Toronto Daily Star, 24 June 1966, p. 22. Show has organized by Jack Pollock of Pollock Art Gallery. Rusling was a personal friend of Pollock and this is likely how Terry met Blazeje.
  • "Kinetic Structures," Ottawa Citizen, November 6, 1965. Blue Barn Gallery, Bell's Corners.
  • Brampton Times Conservator, January 20, 1966.
  • "Venerable age and downy youth join forces," by Kay Kritzwiser, The Globe and Mail, 22 Jan 1966, p. 15. Also in same issue a notice of Audio-Kinetic Environment on Art Calendar and repeated 29 January.
  • "Art Exhibit to be Unique," Moose Jaw Times-Herald, Feb. 10, 1966,
  • "Sounds? Light Being Combined," Regina Leader-Post, Feb 17, 1966. "'The exhibition is in concert form, the music has been specially composed by Terry Rusling," Mr. Blazeje said.
  • "Major, minor notes," Winnipeg Tribune, Apr 23, 1966. Winnipeg Bienniale, Winnipeg Art Gallery.
  • The Canadian, May 14, 1966: "Thunder Lightning and Art" by Barbara Beckett. Article mentions some equipment failures, mentions music but no description. Impression is that Rusling's recordings and tape recorders were not yet present when viewed.
  • Montreal Gazette, June 22, 1966, "Art a la Zap, Bam, Pow, Etc." Review of installation at Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Sound working but as usual no mention of Rusling.
  • "Two artists awarded City Hall prize," The Globe and Mail, June 25, 1966, p. 15. Blazeje shared the $1000 first prize at the sixth annual Nathan Phillips Square outdoor art exhibit with Sheldon Cohen. On the same page a short notice that "Audio-Kinetic Environment," would open at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on June 28, 1966 to August 14.
  • Montreal Metro Express, June 23, 1966. "L'Expo La Plus Sonore de L'Anee."
  • "Far-Out Sculpture Includes You In," Montreal Star, June 29, 1966,.
  • Montreal Star, July 9, 1966, An Audio Kinetic Environment by Michael Ballantyne, mentions that Blazeje won first prize at Toronto Outdoor Art Show. The description in this review suggests that the show was not actually fully installed when the critic reviewed it.
  • Montreal Star, June 29, 1966, "Audio-Kinetic Environment," by Michael Ballantyne, at Stable Gallery (Montreal Museum of Fine Arts): "Far out sculpture includes you in..."
  • Jasmin, Claude. “Zbigniew Blazeje : ‘L’art est émotion’” in La Presse Samedi 2 Juillet 1966.
  • Charlottetown Patriot, September 21, 1966, "Artist Opens Show."
  • Fredericton Gleaner, November 10, 1966, "ZAP! POW! Moving Pop Art Hits N.B."
  • "At The Galleries: 1966 was a year of trends in artists and galleries," by Kay Kritzweiser, The Globe and Mail, December 31, 1966, p. 16.
  • "The art that goes bump in the night," by Anthony Ferry, Toronto Star, Feb. 12, 1967, p. 32.
  • Display ad for York University Performing Arts Festival which included An Afternoon of Total Environment which included Blazeje's paintings.
  • "York Festival, Bloody Conservative," Toronto Daily Star, 20 Feb 1967: 18. Photo included. Works look to be similar to the work (likely the same) presented with Rusling's music at the AGO.
  • Artscanada, Vol. XXIV No. 5 May 1967 (pp. 8-10) Canada at Expo. Includes a flexi-disc with "Music for Audio-Kinetic Environment" credited to Blazeje though this undoubtedly Terry Rusling's music as shortly after opening at the then Art Gallery of Toronto (Art Gallery of Ontario) the music was changed form pre-recorded music to Rusling's music created especially for the installation as he mentioned in interviews on CBC. In the Audio-Kinetic Environment file in the AGO archives there are bills of lading describing Rusling's music tapes and his tape recorders which were included with Blazeje's sculptures when the show toured 10 cities in Canada ending at Expo 67.
  • "Expo 67: Indoor Lighting," by Bill Bantey, Montreal Gazette, June 8, 1967, p. 1. Covers the exhibition in the Canadian Pavilion but
  • Toronto Telegram, May 20, 1967,  "It's Happening: Want to be a Host" by Barrie Hale.
  • Artforum, October 1967, "Sculpture In Canada" by H. Malcolmson, p. 42.
  • Hamilton Spectator, November 8, 1967, "Blazeje turns you on," by Bryan Mangram.
  • "Plastics." Artscanda, August 1968, p. 21.
  • "Barbeau and Blazeje: Using the Viewer's Eye." by Irene Haywood, Montreal Gazette, April 20, 1968, p. 20.
  • "De l'environment comme apprentissage de la liberte," par Yves Robillard, La Presse, 20 Avril, 1968. p. 44-45. Exhibition at Galerie MacKay.
  • Toronto Star, June 22, 1968, p. 34, A Magnificent New Gallery on the 55th Floor by Gail Dexter.
  • The Globe and Mail, June 22, 1968, p. 24, The friendly structures behind a black-plastic curtain, by Kay Kristwiser. "His 1966 his audio-kinetic room at the Art Gallery of Ontario was a moment of truth for him." The exhibition was at the Carmen Lamanna Gallery.
  • Independent Press-Telegram, December 29, 1968: "Among the many East Coast works will be... 'Multiplex Response Chamber' by Zbigniew Blazeje of Toronto... When it leaves UCLA 'Electric Art' will travel to the Phoenix Art Museum for display April 15 through June 15."
  • Toronto Star, February 20, 1969, p. 28.
  • "At The Galleries: Blissful interlude in a walk-in painting," by Kay Kritzwiser. The Globe and Mail, 13 December 1969, p. 24.
  • Toronto Telegram, June 14, 1968. (McMaster University).
  • "Sculpture Au Dela,"  Au delà de la sculpture, Numéro 54, printemps 1969. pp. Rockman, A. (1969). "The Handmade Objects of Small Town and Metropolis" by Arnold Rockman, Vie des arts, (54), 36–43.
  • Brampton Daily Times and Conservator, 18 September 1969. "Art Decorates Brampton Home."
  • Kitchener-Waterloo Record, March 1971. "Even the sightless can see this art," by Angel Castillo.
  • Toronto Star, 22 Apr. 1972 p. 103.
  • "In the Galleries," by Gary Michael Dault, Artscanada June 1971.
  • "The art boom that never really happened," by Robert Fulford, Toronto Star, 22 Apr. 1972. p. 103.
  • "Zbigniew Blazeje: Picture of an artist after the acclaim dies," by Bruce Kirkland. Toronto Star, 22 Apr. 1972. p. 103.
  • Exhibit notice, The Electric Gallery, Nov. 18 - Dec. 7, 1972.
  • "Blaze's one-man exhibit engages intellect and senses," by Kathleen walker, Ottawa Citizen, 26 March, 1974, p. 62.
  • Winnipeg Free Press, April 30, 1975, p. 43.
  • Newsletter from The Electric Gallery, Toronto, May 1975.
  • "Light boxes a routine pleasure," by Gary Michael Dault, Toronto Star, 12 Dec. 1975.
  • Purdie, James. “Sculpture a democratic matter” in The Globe and Mail, August 10 or 16, 1977.
  • Glaz, Kazimir. Permanent Collections Catalogue: A Portfolio of Original Prints by CCA: Kazimir Glaz, Rick Evans, Zbigniew Blazeje, Jaan Reitav and Daniel Wojdylo. Toronto: Centre for Contemporary Art, 1977, Carleton University Art Gallery Archives.[52]
  • Kitchener-Waterloo Record, Jan 22, 1977, mentions exhibition at Artspace, Peterborough.
  • Lynwood Arts Centre, Simcoe Ontario.: Electric Kinetic Art.
  • "From Electrical Fire Spirits May Be Kindled (Benjamin Franklin): A Selection of Works from the Electric Gallery," (Vancouver Art Gallery 1977). Group show including Blazeje.
  • Competition for a Major Sculptural Work for the Art Gallery of Hamilton, Art Gallery of Hamilton, 1977.
  • Glaz, Kazimir. Catalogue of Permanent Art Collection: Centre for Contemporary Art, Toronto. Includes 5 original prints by Zbigniew Blazeje, Ric Evans, Kazimir Glaz, Jaan Reitav and Daniel Wojdylo. Toronto : Centre for Contemporary Art, 1977.[53]
  • "Toronto ON -- Last summer a contest, Big Ballot for Sculpture, was held at Ontario Place. Eleven sculptors submitted design proposals and visitors voted for the one they liked best. The sculptors were Zbigniew Blazeje, Haydn Davies, Kosso Eloul, Andre Fauteux, Mark Gomes, Nobuo Kuboto, William McElcheran and Colette Whiten of Toronto, Ted Bieler of Locust Hill, Edward Zelenak of West Lorne, and Vancouver-born Michael Hayden, who lives in Malibu Lake, Calif."
  • Norman MacKenzie Art Gallery, 14 July - 11 August, 1978, group show. Norman MacKenzie: Building a Collection, (Norman Mackenzie Art Gallery, 1978).
  • Waterloo Region Record; Kitchener, Ont. [Kitchener, Ont].
  • Globe & Mail, Saturday, March 15, 1980, ART'S SAKE INC., the distinguished art school, has received an eviction notice from the owner of its quarters at 284 King St. W.
  • Globe & Mail, 18 Aug 1980: E.5. Current exhibitions and events.
  • Globe & Mail, 18 Sep 2013: E.5. "Reactive paintings and sculptures in a sound environment," ACT Gallery, 424 Wellington W. To Aug. 30. August 23, 1980
  • Globe & Mail, Sep 26, 1981, "Little development in Blazeje plexiglass," by John Bentley Mays.
  • Globe & Mail, Dec 13, 1984, "Flair for Visual One-Liners" by John Bentley Mays.
  • The Art Post, Profile: Zigy Blazeje: Energy charged colour in an urban environment by Colline Caulder. Apr/May 1985, pp. 13-14.[54]
  • Studio International 42:6, 5 Mar 1997, (London, England)
  • The Guardian, "Confederation Art Centre Bursting with Colour," 21 Mar 2013, Charlottetown.
  • Waterloo Region Record; Kitchener, Ont. [Kitchener, Ont]. 18 Sep 2013: E.5.  
  • In a letter from the New Brunswick Museum archives, Ronald J. Bloore, curator, reported that the exhibit "is breaking all attendance records at this gallery.
  • Many of these references come from the file on Zbigniew Blazeje at The National Gallery of Canada Archives and the ARt Gallery of Ontario archives.
  • Intersystems 3CD set NMN 094CD - mentions Blazeje who was friends with them and had told them about the electronic music course that the Royal Conservatory of Music was offering which made use of the Electronic Music Studio at the University of Toronto where his collaborator for Audio-Kinetic Environment, Terry Rusling also studied and befriended Blazeje. [55]

Sources:[edit]

  • Terry Rusling Archives (which much support and help from Dave Porter).
  • CBC Archives
  • Art Gallery of Ontario Archives
  • Assorted Canadian newspaper archives
  • National Gallery of Canada archives
  • Toronto Star
  • Globe & Mail
  • City of Toronto Central Library

Footnotes[edit]

  1. ↑ Toronto Daily Star, April 16, 1971, p. 35.
  2. ↑ Gail Dexter.
  3. ↑ The New Brunswick Museum press release. November 1966.
  4. ↑ The Globe and Mail, November 2, 1962, p. 27.
  5. ↑ "Coffee House is Haphazard," Globe & Mail, 10 Nov 1962: p. 19. "Artists seem to think that paintings don't sell well in the coffee houses, but the Bohemian Embassy claims that Ontario College of Art student Zigy Blazeje 19, sold 7 at his opening there. Blazeje's style isn't set yet, but he shows a strong tendency for surrealism.
  6. ↑ The Globe and Mail; Mar 22, 1965, p. 2. Blazeje won $100 prize from Art Society. "AT THE GALLERIES: Baxter Judges Favored Imagination, Courage In Selecting Winners," by Kay Kritzweiser, The Globe and Mail; Mar 27, 1965, p. 15.
  7. ↑ "Zbigniew Blazeje, a 23 year old artist who came to Toronto three years ago, has contributed a two story mural to Founders College. The Globe and Mail; Mar 22, 1965, p. 14
  8. ↑ The Globe and Mail, November 13, 1965, p. 16.
  9. ↑ Globe & Mail 6 Nov, 1965, p.9. The Globe and Mail 13 Nov 1965: p. 16
  10. ↑ "Alex MATSON (1888-1972) - Biography, life, background and work by Artprice". Artprice.com.
  11. ↑ The Globe and Mail, March 22, 1965, p. 2. "Winners named in Art Society." "Cash prizes of $100 each donated by Ontario Society of Painters went to Zbigniew Blazeje for his painting Composition No. 30..."
  12. ↑ Michael Hayden Town and Zigy Blazeje will present a second exhibition Audio-Kinetic Environment. by Kay Kritzweier, The Globe & Mail, 15 Jan 1966: 15. There is an advert on the same page for the Art Gallery of Toronto for Audio-Kinetic Environment: with note - "Presentations by Zbigniew Blazeje on 19 Jan 1966.
  13. ↑ Full documentation for the travelling exhibit supplied by Saskatchewan Archives Case File 2018-1202 which includes letters between Blazeje and all the institutions named here: Alvin Balkind, Fine Arts Gallery, University of British Columbia; William Withrow, director of Art Gallery of Ontario; Eric M. Dodd, Fine Arts Education, Calgary; and other related correspondence.
  14. ↑ Initially Blazeje used music by Bach and Stockhausen but was dissatisfied with the result. He then contacted Terry Rusling who created new electronic music specifically tailored to sculpture's movement and light effects. Terry discussed this transition in an interview on CBC Radio. CBC Archives and Terry Rusling Archives.
  15. ↑ ArtsCanada, February, 1967.
  16. ↑ Kriztweiser, Kay (1966-01-20). "Ziggy turns on art plus electronic score". The Globe and Mail. p. 10.
  17. ↑ Toronto Star, January 22, 1966, p. 27.
  18. ↑ "Who They? People being talked about...that's who." MacLeans, February 19, 1966. Makes note of Audio-Kinetic Environment.
  19. ↑ "Acoustics plus view used in art exhibition," Ottawa Citizen, November 10, 1965.
  20. ↑ Regina Leader-Post, February 17, 1966, p. 3. "Sound, light being combined" by Katie Fitzrandolph. "
  21. ↑ a letter from the New Brunswick Museum archives, Ronald J. Bloore, curator, reported that the exhibit "is breaking all attendance records at this gallery.
  22. ↑ Winnipeg Free Press, April 23, 1966.
  23. ↑ "Ziggy turns on art plus electronic score" by Kay Kriztweiser, The Globe and Mail, January 20, 1966
  24. ↑ Fonds des expositions du Musee des beaux-arts de Montreal 1960-2009. "Audio-Kinetic Environment" est une exposition qui a eu lieu au Musee des baux-arts de Montreal du 29 juin 1966 au 14 aout 1966.
  25. ↑ 1967, Confederation Gallery issued an announcement for Audio-Kinetic Environment opening for 8 p.m., Tuesday, 20th September 1966, and will "give a talk about his Kinetic Art. Press release in dossier for exhibit announces the fact that the exhibit will be part of the Canadian Pavilion at Expo 67 as well as at the provincial Museum of New Brunswick in November.
  26. ↑ "The new artists: Audacious rebels in a rich market" by Robert Fulford (journalist), Toronto Star July 1, 1967, p.65. "The world's most outlandish sculpture exhibition? by Robert Fulford (journalist), Toronto Star May 13, 1967, p.45.
  27. ↑ "McLuhan and our artists" by Kay Kriztweiser, Toronto Star, January 20 1966.
  28. ↑ "Who They? People talked about... that's who," Maclean's, February 19, 1966, p.2.
  29. ↑ "Curator To Speak L M. Harff, Winnipeg Art Gallery curator, will speak at 12:20 p.m. Thursday on audio-kinetic art in the main gallery explaining the meaning and early background of kinetic art, Miss Harff will also give a partial “performance”, showing pictures combined wtih ultraviolet light, electronic music and moving parts, (The public is invited and coffee will be served by the women’s committee of the Winnipeg Art Gallery." Winnipeg Free Press, April 22, 1966, p. 27.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 New Brunswick Museum press release for Audio Kinetic Environment. It also specifically mentions Terry Rusling's electronic music.
  31. ↑ Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections. Quoted from York University Gazette, 28 Feb 1967, p. 34.
  32. ↑ Art Gallery one sheet issued by the Art Gallery of Ontario circa 1973. Document refers to his use of Theremin; 1973 commission for a large colour relief for the lobby of Statistics Canada in Ottawa. "A 14 x 22 x 2 ft. structure has two separate lighting systems operating at different times and sequences."
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Information supplied by Jennifer Bullock, Assistant Curator & Registrar.
  34. ↑ Toronto Star, June 22, 1968, p.34. Globe and Mail, June 22, 1968, p. 24.
  35. ↑ "A major prize of $100 was split between two Toronto artists, Zbigniew Blazeje and Sheldon Cohen 32, for their entries in the sixth annual outdoor exhibit in Nathan Phillips Square of City Hall." Globe and Mail, June 25, 1966, p. 15.
  36. ↑ Toronto Star, June 26, 1968, p. 34. "A Magnificent New Gallery on the 55th Floor," by Gail Dexter. Article mentions an installation by Blazeje in the Toronto Dominion Centre as well as an exhibit of his work at Carmen Lamanna Gallery. It includes a photo of Structural Relief No. 5 from the latter exhibit.
  37. ↑ "Far-out Sculpture includes you in," Montreal Star, June 29, 1966.
  38. ↑ Toronto Star, June 22, 1968, p.34. Globe and Mail, June 22, 1968, p. 24.
  39. ↑ "Pop music lights up Hart House art show" by Barry Lord, Toronto Star, December 5, 1969, p. 28.
  40. ↑ Toronto Star, February 20, 1969, p. 28.
  41. ↑ Kansas City Star, 26 April 1970, p. 84. Also on page 84, same date, Art Notes provided descriptive review of show and mentions the exhibition at Expo 67. A second notice appeared May 31, 1970.
  42. ↑ Independent Press-Telegram, December 29, 1968: "Among the many East Coast works will be... 'Multiplex Response Chamber' by Zbigniew Blazeje of Toronto... When it leaves UCLA 'Electric Art' will travel to the Phoenix Art Museum for display April 15 through June 15."
  43. ↑ Toronto Star, December 5, 1969, p. 28.Winnipeg Free Press, April 30, 1975, p. 43.
  44. ↑ https://curve.carleton.ca/system/files/etd/3d6d3d4a-933f-463b-a72f-da8b37e75e5b/etd_pdf/69d573ae5d6ef50a23425635ddda9e7d/jurkiewicz-kazimirglazthecentreforcontemporaryartand.pdf
  45. ↑ "This is a spectator activated exhibition. Red photocell beams of light are used to program 'light sensitive paint on canvas,' in ever changing visual and aural combinations that depend on the number and movement of the participants -- Cybernetic Art."
  46. ↑ "Pieces Come to life only under the Sun" by Christopher Hume, Toronto Star, January 5 1985.[30]
  47. ↑ John Bentley Mays, The Globe and Mail (1936-Current); Toronto, Ont. 13 Dec 1984: E7
  48. ↑ This is Montreal, Andrew Hunter, Galerie Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery, March 14 to April 19, 2008, Montreal. A group show.
  49. ↑ No 'silly academics' here, Cherry, Zena. The Globe and Mail; Toronto, Ont. 23 Nov 1978: T.2. Article on Arts' Sake Inc. which founded 1977 by by Blazeje amongst others.
  50. ↑ Toronto Star, Apr 22, 1972, p. 103.
  51. ↑ Toronto Star, 25 Aug 2004: B6
  52. ↑ https://curve.carleton.ca/system/files/etd/3d6d3d4a-933f-463b-a72f-da8b37e75e5b/etd_pdf/69d573ae5d6ef50a23425635ddda9e7d/jurkiewicz-kazimirglazthecentreforcontemporaryartand.pdf
  53. ↑ https://curve.carleton.ca/system/files/etd/3d6d3d4a-933f-463b-a72f-da8b37e75e5b/etd_pdf/69d573ae5d6ef50a23425635ddda9e7d/jurkiewicz-kazimirglazthecentreforcontemporaryartand.pdf
  54. ↑ John Bentley Mays. The Globe and Mail; Toronto, Ont. 23 Aug 1980: E.11.  
  55. ↑ p. 4 of booklet accompanying Intersystems 3 CD set Alga Marghen plana-l 38nmn.094.


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