Review: Ineffable Plasticity at MOCCA.

Jordan Maclachlan

The beautifully presented group show Ineffable Plasticity: the experience of being human, is on at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA). The exhibit, curated by Camilla Singh, presents a thoughtful combination of images with the works of Mat Brown, Sherri Hay, Faith La Rocque, Jordan MacLachlan, Anders Oinonen, Susy Oliveira. The show expressed a unique view of the human condition through a variety of mediums and ideologies.

Before entering the main space of the exhibit the viewer encounters the ominous black and white form of Sherri Hay’s “Psychasthenia”. The anthropomorphic figure surrounded by oscillating forms is suggestive of The Adam’s Family’s cousin IT’s ethereal sister. This creature speaks to the psychology of human nature and is an interesting prelude to the rest of the exhibit.

Just beyond the glass doors, well lit against a dramatic blue backdrop, is Faith la Rocque’s “Crystal Ladder.” There is a sense that if one were to climb this ladder they would enter the dream world of the human psyche.

Faith la Rocque

The dark paintings of Andres Oinonen, with shapes that allude to figures and landscapes, lead one into the dream world of this transformative exhibition space. Among the detailed and complex works of the show are Jordan Maclachlan’s fanciful yet disturbing figures in “Unexpected Subway Living” and Susy Oliveira’s paper pop-up creations.

Mat Brown

The entire right side of the room is dominated by Mat Brown’s series of drawings, “All Within the Circle of Willis.” The work questions the foundational world-views of the origins of human life, principally addressing the theories of evolution and creationism. Symbolism from both of the theories is present: St. Bartholomew is flayed in one panel while atoms fly in the sky of another. A pastel colour line that highlights Brown’s palette leads the viewer through this series that is has the same strange beauty and hyper eroticism as Hieronymus Bosch’s triptych “The Garden of Earthly Delights.”

Ineffable Plasticity: the experience of being human runs at MOCCA from November 18-December 31.

– Sophia Farmer