(1888PressRelease)
March 11, 2008 - Call it another chapter in an amazing true story. Alex and Ian Gordon, internationally renowned artists, are combining their unique talents in a pair of projects right here in Montreal: an exhibition of Ian’s paintings at Le Grill Crepe Lune restaurant and a film short based on Alex’s novel of their youth, 'Arcania.'
If the latest chapter is anything like what came before, it will be remarkable.
In the mid-1970s, Alex and Ian Gordon were art college drop-outs squatting in Brixton, England. Rebelling from materialism and frustrated with their world, they fell into a bohemian lifestyle, cooped up with anarchists, beatniks, punks, and eccentrics of every description.
They were looking for something.
Descendants of famous English poet George Gordon (Lord) Byron, the brothers chased his artistic dream. Their separate but parallel quests took them all over Europe and eventually to North America – an incredible and often painful adventure in love, passion, art, drugs, and depression.
But through it all, the brothers never lost sight of their art or of each other. Today, Ian Gordon is a respected painter based in Donegal, Ireland. Alex, who fell in love with and settled in Montreal, is the author of several novels under the pen name Brother Xanadu. He has also toured the world as a jazz pianist, and has recorded many CDs in his own name and as Zandy Alexander.
“My brother and I have experienced the highest highs and lowest lows as people and as artists,” Alex says. “Our experiences have influenced and in many cases inspired our work. We owe everything to our art. It saved both of us from dangerous lifestyles and really gave us a way to deal with the world. We’re thrilled now to be able to work together like this.”
Running about five minutes, the film short is drawn from Alex’s feature-length 'Arcania' script. It is directed by Jean Bourbonnais, and has been shooting in Montreal for the past month. The brothers hope to shoot the entire script when the opportunity presents itself.
“The film is such an exciting project for both of us,” Alex says. “It gives us an entirely new medium to work in, which is a challenge for any artist. This experience will help us immensely when it comes time to get the feature made.”
Ian Gordon has eighteen pieces on display at Le Grill Crepe Lune (1418, rue Fleury E., Montreal) until 15th May. They are oil on canvas paintings, small to medium size, depicting the Irish Donegal landscape in an impressionistic style. Prices range from $500 to approximately $1,600.
Le Grill Crepe Lune is open Monday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; Saturday 8:00 – 10:00 p.m.; Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
For more information on the Gordon brothers, their work, or their Montreal projects, please contact:
Alex Gordon
514 271 9033 & 514 716 4120
xanadu7000 ( @ ) yahoo dot com
Website links:
Ian Gordon - www.ashlemon.com
Alex Gordon & Ginny B - www.worldgig.com
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