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Souterrain Impressions
November 4, 2016 @ 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
The UNB Art Centre marks the upcoming 150th anniversary of Canada with an exhibit and series of events that commemorate the centennial of Vimy Ridge. The exhibit Souterrain Impressions opensFriday, November 4 at 1:00 pm and honours an event that is considered to be one of Canada’s defining moments in history.
In April 1917, four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought for and gained key ground in northern France, Vimy Ridge. Today, this site is home to our famous monument and a tribute to the almost 4000 Canadian soldiers who died in the fight for a better world. An important part of the battle for Vimy Ridge was an extensive network of underground tunnels and caves that protected Canadian forces from German shelling and allowed the wounded to be brought back behind Canadian lines. While soldiers spent time in these tunnels, they carved initials, words, symbols, and memories into the walls, leaving behind lasting reminders of their time in France.
The Souterrain Impressions is a travelling exhibition organized by the CANADIGM Group, a not-for-profit group of historians dedicated to understanding Canada’s role in the First and Second World Wars. Using a 3D scanner, they have duplicated the tunnel carvings to bring a selection of over 200 of them to the surface. In addition to these images, CANADIGM has provided an interactive multi-media kiosk that gives members of the public access to the research conducted into the names and service records of the men posted there. Visitors will be able to trace their own family connections and honour the memories of those who have died in service to their country.
The exhibit is generously supported by Veterans Affairs Canada through their Community Engagement Partnership Fund. The Souterrain Impressions will be on display at the UNB Art Centre fromNovember 4, 2016 – January 27, 2017.
As part of this special exhibit, the UNB Art Centre will also be using the lobby of Memorial Hall to display UNB’s First World War Honour Roll, featuring the photos and biographies of 32 UNB students who sacrificed their lives in the Great War. These will be supported by displays of memorabilia collected by UNB’s Gregg Centre for the Study of War & Society, and the Fredericton Regional Museum. The UNB Art Centre is also pleased to display 13 banners from the Gregg Centre’s Toll of War project depicting the Victoria Cross recipients from each province and territory. The banners have been flown in all of Canada’s provincial capitals throughout the year. This project was sponsored by the Department of Canadian Heritage.
PROGRAM
Along with these displays the UNB Art Centre is pleased to partner with the Gregg Centre and the Centre for Musical Arts to provide a number of commemorative and educational events throughout the run of the exhibition. All events will be held in Memorial Hall on the University of New Brunswick campus.
Please join us on November 4 for the 4th annual UNB REMEMBERS ceremony in recognition of the impact that the two World Wars have made on UNB’s past, present, and future. The program will begin at 11:30 am with a short performance by the Saint John String Quartet presenting composers of the first world war era.
This event will be followed by a reception and the opening of the Souterrain Impressions exhibition at 1:00 pm.
On November 7 at 12:00 noon, Brent Wilson of UNB’s Gregg Centre will present a walking tour of the exhibition, the Souterrain Impressions.
On November 13 at 2:00 pm, the Centre for Musical Arts presents Remembering The Great War Through Music featuring the Atlantic String Orchestra. This concert will feature a pre-concert talk. (Tickets are available at the door.)
On November 17 at 7:00 pm the Reverend Canon Dr. Ross Hebb will present “Letters Home: Maritimers and The Great War” his recent book of collected letters from soldiers at the front.
On November 29 at 7:00 pm, Dr. Lee Windsor will deliver a lecture entitled “The Original Vimy ‘Tunnel Tour’: The Royal Canadian Regiment Assault from the Grange Tunnel, 9 April 1917”.
On January 17 at 7:00 pm, the Gregg Centre presents the annual Graham lecture with Dr. Tim Cook of the Canadian War Museum. His lecture entitled Vimy: Battle and Legend 1917-2017 will look at the evolving story of Vimy in Canadian history.
On January 25 at 12:00 noon, the Centre for Musical Arts presents A Century Passed: Music for Solo Piano from 1916-17 featuring pianist Stephen Runge. This concert is free.
More information will follow on each of these activities.
For the most up to date information about our activities, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UNB.Art.Centre and on Twitter @UNBArtCentre or with the hashtag #ArtCentre75.
The UNB Art Centre is located at Memorial Hall, 9 Bailey Drive, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton. The galleries are open 9 am – 4 pm weekdays and for special events. Admission is free to members of the public. Everyone welcome!
