26 ~ Wednesday, April 10, 1991 -— North Shore News Gallery. This self-portrait (autorretrato) was taken in 1984. Que viva A Review: Revelaciones by Manuel Alvarez Bravo at Presentation House, 333 Chesterfield Ave., March 22-May 5. Wed-Sun: 12-5, Thurs: 12-9. AW MEAT molded into the form of a woman’s dress on a mannequin, currently on show at the National Gallery in Ottawa, has upset a couple of unimaginative local aldermen who have called the piece disgusting. Nudity in works of art is mote often the offending feature, vio- lence the other. Serious art, how- ever, is requently disturbing. The photography of Manuel Alvarez Bravo is no exception. Although the black-and-white pictures of this celebrated 89- year-old Mexican photographer sometimes involve nudity and vio- lence, they zre much more than just troubling documentary im- ages. His motiis all tend to arise from a central mythical intent, poeti- cally rather than didactically evoked. Whether photographing the nude, a brutal killing, a stray dog, a sleeping boy, or a broken gate, Bravo manages to suggest, in the subtilest of ways, a metaphysical dimension within which the pic- tured figure is unmistakably set. He achieves this effect principal- ly by unhinging his subject matter from its strictly human context. in Good Reputation Slezping, tor example, he photographs a keautiful, young, naked woman asleep on hand-woven fabric. Bandages are wrapped around Archie Graham ART REVIEW her hips and ankles. The sense of the vulnerability of her exposed breasts and genitals, however, is heightened to a pitch by the threatening proximity of small therny cacti that look like hand- grenades fashioned by nature. The erotic quality of this photo is undeniable. But the young woman is oblivious to the intense sexual power she evokes, the cacti func- tioning as a viable illustration of its menacing presence. She looks as if she has been sleeping peacefully for centuries and as if she is completely imper- vious to the effects of the passion oe The only large hills you'll see at O'Doul 5 are on the toucans... Our Prices Are Pawsitively Refreshing. oo wmv eon ereoeo ener rere e nore erernewreeeeoee t Cnet O" DOU! REyp ho RANT because veur bill won't be hiree. ‘ abeouver, Bac Phone tor reservations: OS S46] Photo Manue! Alvarez Bravo OVER SIXTY YEARS of work is included in the Aivarez Bravo exhibit at the Presentation House ravo! she arouses. This is a photo of two divergent life-forces, one purely human, the other a strange, trans-personal power. Likewise in Striking Worker Assassinated, Bravo strips im- mediate history from the image of a bloodied young man who was shot in the back of the head in 1934, In death, he expresses neither pain nor pleasure. His eyes are open and he has an ethereally serene look on his face. The blood smeared across his cheeks is like the painted mask of an ancient warrior or a victim of tribal sacrifice. But there is no human tragedy here. The event has been transposed to a meia- physical plane in which such trag- edy is transcended. In a sense, Bravo is not of this world. He is not maved by sen- timentality, anger or disgust. Nei- ther is he moved by compassion. His works situate human history in acontext that lies beyond the power of the human will to con- trol. Here is an art exhibition, then, that clearly demonstrates why it is so important to try io look beyond what appears to be merely often- sive or shocking imagery. Presentation House staff have mounted a very fine show by one of the world’s leading photographers, a show that makes us think about our place in the scheme of things we call life. Restaurant OYDoul satis tanto say your won't need Large bills, ve Deut: s Restaurant OO Robson Street Vok 15 ONE LOCATION ONY east, Boulet Cowboy Boots New Spring Dress and Casual Shoes O NOW $5999 to 56999 Rag to- SEAFOOD HOUSE SPECIALIZING IN STEAK & SEAFOCD e EXTENSIVE MENU ¢ OVER 10 APPETIZERS * ENTREES FROM $12.95 Serving the North Shore since 1974 980-2611 2070 Marine Dr, N. Van. mm ome mam ene omen win are coe cree, Seon ome Sant, Co comme autem iy eee SED cmos ; VALUE ‘WHEN 2 OR MORE DINNER ENTREES ARE PURCHASED VALID FOR DINNER 7 DAYS A WEEK “OPEN: FROM 5:30 DAILY _ COUPON EXPIRES MAY 11/91 SSS corre cane memes eanve cme cemm mnaees teins cave Menai ceed imams Sill SEAFOOD HOUSE 980-2611 | we ee ae! KV-19TR10 © 20° Mirror Black Trinitron © AV On-screen Control System * 181 Channel Cable Compaibie Tuning * Channel Jump « Sleep Timer * Auto Timer/Channel Block « Auto Channel Programming * RM-780 Remote Commander Super Special Price © 6X PowerZoom wimacro * Variable Shutter Speeds (60. 7700, 11250, 1060, 1/2000 & 1/4020 © TTL Auto Focus © TTL Auto White Balance *2 Lux Mimimum llumunation Lanes (remote control yack) ¢ Data on Screen * Auto Lucasitding Cover | Super Special Price | | LESIDE T.V. & VIDEO 1487 Marine Drive, West Van 926-7000 or 926-1400