The brainchild of Vancouver-based artist Allison Beda, the DADA tiny ART SHOW + World Tour was inspired after a Château d’Orquevaux France residency, by tiny plinths built into walls of a Parisian café – the perfect size for tiny art. In its name and spirit, the show is a playful homage to Dada pioneer Marcel Duchamp’s portable “museum in a box” or Boîte-en-Valise.
Beda curated and staged a guerrilla Dada show at the aforementioned Paris café in 2023, an act of joyful rebellion that sparked the concept for a fully portable global exhibition that can fit into a suitcase or Art Coat. The requirements were simple: 2-D works no larger than 3” × 3” and sculptures under 1.5” × 1.5.” Participating artists created limited editions of their mini masterpieces. The resulting artwork was placed around the café for the public to enjoy and was available for purchase by those who wished to take home a memento of the experience.
Since its inception in 2023, the show has had two iterations that have travelled the world to be exhibited in conventional galleries and museums, as well as unconventional spaces like Beda’s specially designed Art Coat. The project has travelled in Beda’s backpack to Toronto (Canada); Oakland, Maine, Oregon and NYC (USA), as well as Italy, Sweden, Norway, Mexico, Australia and dozens of other unexpected locations worldwide.
Now in Arnprior!
From October 6 to 25 the show will be on display at the Arnprior Art Loft, where it will help celebrate their third anniversary with a combined Opening Party and 3rd Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, October 17 from 1–4pm. The Art Loft is located above White Pine Books at 152 John Street N. in downtown Arnprior. There will be snacks, entertainment, and non-alcoholic drinks available.
The DADA tiny ART SHOW will be open Monday through Saturday from 9:30am to 5pm, and Sunday from 10am to 3pm.
“The DADA tiny ART SHOW is not just about the artworks; it’s about the experience and the joy of discovering art in unexpected places,” curator and artist Allison Beda explains. “By bringing this ridiculous exhibition to unconventional spaces, we’re making art fun, more accessible, and getting people connected and talking to each other in real life.” Find more information about Allison’s work at <fakegallery.art>.
This Arnprior installation is also a collaboration with False Fungi by artist Catherine Gutsche, who notes that: “Dada was never afraid to take art somewhere unexpected. My False Fungi provide the perfect habitat for this collection of tiny Dada works — a playful collaboration where the ridiculous, the unexpected and the wonderfully nonsensical flourish.” More details about Catherine’s art can be found at catherinegutsche.com.
Art Loft Events
In addition to the above events, The Art Loft continues to host their Saturday morning Art Circle from 10–12. All are welcome, and there is no fee. Plein Air painting runs on Wednesdays through to October 29 — meet at the Arnprior Museum rain or shine and if the weather is good, the group proceeds to an outdoor location. Still Life painting will begin on Wednesday, November 3 from 1–3pm at the Arnprior Museum and will continue until December 16. These events are also free. For more information about the Art Loft, please visit them on Facebook.