This Is Nowhere | Jeremy Koreski | Tofino, British Columbia (CAN) | By Lee Fleming

"The concept for This is Nowhere is actually the inverse of what the title might suggest. Places like the B.C. coast—remote, lightly populated and mostly roadless—have often been treated as 'nowhere' areas that don’t have much value beyond the resources can be taken out of them. But in reality, this is a place that’s full of life, has an amazing culture and history, and is absolutely priceless to protect. For myself, my family and many others here, this place is everything. So to me, this book is about deconstructing the idea of nowhere and demonstrating that places like this have a value that goes far beyond money." — Jeremy Koreski

We're glad to see Jeremy Koreski's recent Kickstarter for his photography project 'This Is Nowhere' was successfully funded. Due to go to print in August 2015, This Is Nowhere is a hardcover book of surf, outdoor and nature photos from the British Columbia coast. Born and raised in Tofino, a small town on the West Coast of Canada where Jeremy's father worked as a fisherman and oyster farmer meant he has been able to photograph one of the last unspoiled coasts in the world.

Jeremy's photography career spans over fifteen years having worked with international clients including Patagonia, Stussy, Ransom Holding Co., Adidas and National Geographic. The publication is as personal as it gets for Jeremy, featuring his favourite photographs from the British Columbia coast he explains "I’ve hoped to publish a collection of my work for a long time, but I didn’t want to put anything out unless it was something I was truly proud of".

Designed by Chris Allen, the 11” x 11” clothbound hardcover includes 144 pages and 100-plus photographs, printed on FSC-certified paper at Hemlock Printers in Burnaby, B.C., a carbon-neutral company whose portfolio includes Kinfolk Magazine and The Great Discontent. The book is divided into five sections: Air, Water, Earth, Fire and The Unknown and features introductions written by people Jeremy's learnt from and worked with over the years: my dad, Patrick Koreski, along with Noah Cohen, Keith Malloy and Malcolm Johnson. Furthermore, the foreword is written by Dr. Chris Darimont, Science Director of Raincoast Conservation Foundation and professor at the University of Victoria.

Richard Johnson | Ice Huts | Toronto (CA) | By Emma Harrison

The simple ice fishing hut is a familiar sight across the snowy plains of Canada and serves an essential purpose; it must be weather resistant, easily transportable and provide basic shelter and access to the ground below.  Travelling around icy terrain and exploring the differences between ice hut architecture between provinces, photographer Richard Johnson created his Ice Huts project in order to document Canada’s ice fishing culture.

Now in its 8^th year, the project contains more than 725 images of individual huts across nine provinces (top left: Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta; top right: Anglin Lake, Saskatchewan; bottom left: Yamachiche, Quebec; bottom right: Lake Scugog, Ontario). In 2010, Johnson began to shoot his series Ice Villages and travelled to Northern Quebec, Manitoba and New Brunswick to capture a set of wide panoramic shots that integrate the ice hut structures into the background landscape. The Ice Village series will be displayed at Bulthaup until April 18th 2015 as part of the Toronto Design Offsite Festival, happening this week (January 19^th-25^th).

If you’re in town this Sunday, don’t miss the complimentary Artist Talk & Brunch with Richard himself. 

Steve Spazuk | Soot Paintings | Montréal (CAN) | By Lee Fleming

French-Canadian artist Steve Spazuk has spent the past 14 years perfecting a technique known as fumage, a unique way of painting that uses the flame of a candle as a pencil to create paintings with trails of soot. Once a conventional painter, Spazuk discarded the traditional paintbrush or pencil and began experimenting with fire following a dream in April 2001. Spazuk’s first attempt of drawing with fire unfortunately ended in flames but after many experiments, he discovered that cardboard paper was best suited to the medium and that the soot from the candle’s flame could be etched with pencils and feathers to create unusual artwork.

Spazuk’s original soot painting process involves firstly holding a piece of paper overhead while using a candle to create tails of soot underneath the matter. Following this he sculpts the plumes of soot using various tools. What is fascinating about Spazuk’s work is the element of spontaneity and improvisation involved; he openly admits he doesn’t know what he intends to paint and instead explores the patterns and shapes found in the soot to guide his artwork.

Spazuk’s artwork has been exhibited around the world and includes his acclaimed fragmented 272-piece portraits, bird series and Ornithocides that feature live and dead birds juxtaposed with various manmade devices designed to kill. The Ornithocides series is a reaction to the heavy use of pesticides in North America and the poisoning of insect-eating birds. This short film, directed by Montréal-based filmmaker Patrick Peris, offers an insight into Spazuk’s art form and his creative space.

To view more of Spazuk’s soot paintings visit his website. Videao via Ignant.

Window Seat by Jennilee Marigomen | Vancouver (CAN) | By Lee Fleming

This October Canadian photographer Jennilee Marigomen releases her brand new photobook, Window Seat. Currently based in Vancouver, Marigomen is Director of Communications at Gallery 295, a contemporary art gallery that supports the finished production of photographic-based works. Alongside her gallery directorship, Marigomen's own award-winning photography investigates the everyday and overlooked and she also boasts an impressive client list including Condé Nast, Hypebeast, Kinfolk magazine, Cereal magazine and The Plant Journal.

Published by Vancouver and Los Angeles based art book publisher New Documents, Window Seat presents a sequence of Marigomen's photography in sleepy Mexican beach towns. Marigomen’s photography focuses on the unnoticed fragments of daily life and this 64 page hardcover book is an extension of an edit presented in the sixth issue of Inventory magazine.

Also featuring an essay by photographer Nich Hance McElroy, Window Seat is available to purchase here. For more information, visit Jennilee Marigomen's website.

Fogo Island Studios | Newfoundland (CA) | By Emma Harrison

Hidden away twelve miles off the northeast coast of Newfoundland, Canada is Fogo Island, an area of breathtaking, uncultivated and windswept beauty. Home to a population of just 2,500 and with a dwindling cod fishing industry, Canadian charity The Shorefast Foundation set about reviving the island by creating Fogo Island Arts, a residency-based contemporary art venue established in 2008.

Four years later, the organisation commissioned native and Norway-based architect Todd Saunders to design six remote studios scattered across the island with the aim of housing a rotating programme of artists and writers in residence. The six studios (Long Studio, pictured) vary in size (18 sqm-111sqm) and were completed over a period of two years. Each site is autonomous and uses sustainable methods of heat retention and water management to ensure minimal environmental impact. With outstanding views from all angles, the studios are strategically placed and project the occupant towards the Atlantic Ocean via an obliquely slanted, full-height window that frames the horizon or shoreline.

In 2013, Saunders completed work on the Fogo Island Inn, a five star luxury retreat with 29 guest rooms. To enquire about residency programmes or book a stay, visit the Fogo Island Arts website.