A34 The Peace Arch News Saturday, November 19, 2005
Self- published Spinderella launched Sunday
by Alex Browne the Arts Reporter
Fictional characters have an odd way of coming to life and determining their own directions, and that's the case with artist Minaz Jantz' whimsical, sometimes cynical - definitely satirical - Spinderella Soap.The book began as a series of 14' x 17" symbolic collages, free-form associations of images culled from fashion magazines and Jantz life, melded with her own oil pastel backgrounds. Then the images became a slide show presented first for Jennifer Beals and other cast members of the Vancouver shot TV series the L-Word.
As the series evolved, so did the character Spinderella, a woman emerging from the fairy tale cocoon that victimized her to make sometimes scary journey through a multitude of female roles and a surreal contemporary landscaped of music, fashion film, art and the cult celebrity.A playful, sometimes raw, rhyming text - with influence of Jantz child idol, Dr. Suess - followed, sketching Spinderella's convoluted progress through each scene.
For Jantz, now living and working in East Vancouver but known in White Rock-South Surrey from her many years here, the book represents a discovery of computer technology as a means of manipulating images, but also a continuation of surrealist, symbolic themes already in her art and approach to life.
The launch of her book at the Crescent Heights home of her friend, writer and actress Virginia Gilliespie, is also appropriate."Spinderella was born here, so I felt it was good for her to come back here." Jantz said. Gillispie is happy to host the launch and promote the self -published book here. " I feel like a fairy god-mother, although a strange metamorphosed fairy god mother," Gillispie said. "I saw the first collage seven years ago, and I'd always ask Minaz where is Spinderella now?" www.bardsroost.net
Now its's gone into a whole new phase, becoming a book. It's been an evolution, and every time Minaz goes through an evolution, so does Spinderella. "The name Spinderella comes from a young friend,:" Jantz explain, "I was describing the first collages to her as 'a spin-off of Cinderella' and she said 'what about calling it Spinderella?" Since the story is very much like a Soap opera, I decided to call it Spinderella Soap- I love the rolling of all the words together."
The finished work begs a few definitions (although it looks like a calendar, it isn't) - is it a novel, a poem, or a picture book? It's art first and foremost, Jantz said - the images come first and helped shape the text.
Peace Arch News January 2002
Eve & Lilth Premieres
It's a Canadian and English language debut. Eve & Lilith by Johannes Galli will be performed at Camp Kwomais (1367-128th St.) at 8:30 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 20). It's the first performance of the English language translation of this work by Galli, the German founder of Galli Transformational theatre.
South Surrey actors Rosie Flanagan and Virginia Gillispie star in the drama, inspired by the myth of Adam's banished first wife Lilith and his dutiful second wife Eve. The play explores the competing roles of the wild and domestic feminine archetypes through a confrontation between wife and mistress. Gillispie has worked as marketing consultant, organizer, trainer and actor with the Galli group for six years and is a local champion of the former street clown's body language-driven theatre technique.
"Johannes' premise for living is 'act it out' in classes and on stage, and thus many doors of communication and personal development open," she said. 'Each play has a background myth activated by the actors in contemporary situations and themes. As an actor, being real, and true to inner symbols and experiences fuels their performances in a different way than simply getting into character."
During a visit to Galli Theatre in Freiburg several years ago to observe his techniques, Gillispie suggested Galli visit Vancouver, and the premiere of his play coincides with his current stay here.
White Rock artist Minaz Jantz will display her paintings, with two featured in the set. "I paint the naked feminine for its mystery and strength, engaging freedom of expression with life,' she said.
Peace Arch News March 25, 1998
Fantasy Figures
The 'lounge paintings' of White Rock artist Minaz Jantz are currently featured in a solo show at The Gallery, Central Plaza (to April 6). What constitutes a lounge painting? Jantz says the acrylic works feature semi-nudes and "fantasy people" and are painted in brilliant colors that take on a different character when viewed by candle light.
the frames- made of recycled material and employing faux finishes- are also very much a part of the works, the artist says.
