Artists and galleries all over Vancouver have been getting creative to protest the massive cuts made to arts funding. Inspired by greysquare.ca-a group who aims to create awareness about arts and culture issues-the UBC visual arts students are aiming to take the power back, one monochrome canvas at a time.

Combined with their Grad Exhibition fundraiser, they’re mounting a show on Friday the 13th featuring artist interpretations of the grey monochrome. Why grey? It’s meant to symbolize the future in store for a province without arts and culture funding. (In my head, this is a world built entirely of condos-but you’ll have to show up on Friday to see what it looks like in theirs.) Imagine a vibrant city grey-washed over, with no investment made to furthering a cultural dialogue-that is the dystopian vision these artists are trying to avoid. A stark contrast to the usual orgasm of expectant energy contained at art shows featuring work by emerging artists, this show exists as a response-an entry into the conversation between a province and its government about the future of cultural life. Let’s hope someone’s listening.

Want to join the revolution? Student-designed tshirts and buttons will be available at the show, so you can wear your art on your sleeve. Rumour has it organizers are crossing fingers this one will take the city back-so bring your positive energy, righteous outrage, and silent auction-ing pants. Hopefully you can score yourself a revolution and an amazing work of art.

Nov. 13th, 4 pm, AMS Gallery in the Student Union Building.

http://www.ahva.ubc.ca/eventsDetails.cfm?EventID=825&EventTypeNumID=7