What's Been Said:

Press/Curators/Audience
Media
"Visually and sonically stunning!"
LIBERTY TIMES, Taiwan
"Important environmental work.
Remarkably beautiful music and sculpture."
CHINA TIMES, Taiwan
"Strikingly innovative. Strange and wonderful."
UNITED DAILY NEWS, Taiwan
"Scott and Tomlinson performed as if inspired by gods. . .
evoking a mysterious mood dancing and moving freely while beating drums.
Rhythms and tone colours transfixed the townspeople. . ."
EHIME SHIMBUN: Japan
"Groundbreaking new work by Canadian artists."
LIANHE WANBAO: Singapore
"a holistic artistic experience involving audience and artist, person and object, sound vision, motion and mood."
THE DRAGON CHRONICLE: London, England

". . . well-tuned couple's mixed media performance
stretches parameters of expression"
ASAHI SHIMBUN: Japan

"Art created from waste
proclaims importance of valuable resources."
PLAYBOY (Kanji Edition): Japan
". . . new hybrid form of the arts.
An exceptional partnership that finds its strength not in the similarities of the partners but rather in their varying perspectives. . ."
CHINA NEWS: Taipei, Taiwan
"Strikingly innovative. . . cutting edge. . .
Scott and Tomlinson are fairly to be numbered among
the revolutionaries of our century."
NEW CANADIAN MAGAZINE: Toronto
"A symphony of scrap metal . . .
Amanta Scott and David Tomlinson are multi-talented
artists with an exceptional concept."
LINDSAY DAILY POST, Ontario, Canada

"Experience the amazing Arising Phoenix!
A visual and auditory wonder!"
THUNDER BAY CHRONICLE JOURNAL
". . . exceptionnel. . . sans précédence. . ."
CBC SOCIÉTÉ RADIO CANADA
"A marvelous sensory experience. Wonderful."
CIUT FM Radio
". . . two impressive dragon sculptures of awesome size. . . an enviro-positive piece, occasionally playful, sometimes profound. . . . brims with archetypal possibilities, creating an otherworldly ambiance that is haunting."
NOW MAGAZINE: Toronto, Canada
"A fine visual concert. . . The dragons and the concerto for voices and percussion that bring them to life are enchanting!"
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Edmonton, Canada
Extraordinary performance!
Scott and Tomlinson drummed mesmerizingly. . .
We stared, shivered and laughed. . . The audience was enchanted."
TORONTO STAR: Canada
Curatorial Insights

"Tamashii no Kodama and Glove Forest are two of the most alluring appropriation installations that I have seen anywhere."
Richard McNeill: President, Sculptor's Society of Canada; Director: Canadian Sculpture Gallery
"In my estimation their work demonstrates a knowledge and professionalism that is exceptionally high. Their productions demonstrate a uniquely imaginative approach to ideas and current issues which is complex in expression but powerfully appealing to audience of all ages.
The video which is integrated with Glove Forest is an especially effective device, due in part to the design of imagery that is layered in such a way as to accumulate meaning as it gathers subtle intensity
In this work the synthesis of sculptural elements, surrounding sound, and video is especially effective and appropriately moving."
David Aurandt, Executive Director/Curator, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery

"Wonderful performance.
The vocal and percussion combination was haunting.

The sculpture itself is visually stunning and evocative.
Great to see such non-precious material come to life!

The performance was ritualistic.
It would be fascinating to see and hear at night in the moon light."
Michael Burtch, Director/ Curator, Art Gallery of Algoma, Sault Ste. Marie
"The work demonstrates considerable depth, vitality and wit.
Dragon Tango is a profound synthesis of visual art, percussion, voice, mask, movement, philosophy, religion and culture. Every aspect of Dragon Tango is interdependent, culminating in a delightful and frequently surprising performance which is multi-layered, multi-timbrel, challenging and uplifting.

Amanta Scott and David Tomlinson's captivating performance/exhibition
is an offering of intricate percussion, haunting vocalizations and dazzling visuals.

The absence of narrative allows the audience freedom
to find their own interpretation of the work.


It is a production that appeals to all audiences. The post education component, interaction with the performers and the work, encourages viewers to become participants, which they do willingly.

Dragon Tango is inspirational. It fires up the imagination and enraptures everyone who attends."
Judi Schwartz, Art Gallery Director/ Curator: Justina M. Barnicke Gallery

"The work of Scott and Tomlinson is far more than its individual parts: visual art, music, dance, chant, theatre. It is a totality, reliant on all — a true Gestalt experience. It is performance, but not performance art, as that term usually implies. It is an encounter and a story of tantalizing fragments. It is totally engaging, moving and evocative — it is interpretive, not absolute.

The works are sculptural, but not purely sculpture. They are instruments, but their design transcends to art. Their constructivist fabrication is contemporary and forthright. They fulfill their role decoratively while conceptually addressing the problems of the expanding detritus of society. Based on the findings of contemporary archaeological digs, they mirror the overall format, becoming far more than the sum of their parts.

Although imposing at rest, the works have an air of expectation; they come fully to their potential when struck into action by their creators' percussive magic. Set on an interactive level, the viewer can easily be led by the artists into a stage of wider awakening and moved to a realm of grace beyond the dictates of the mundane. The artists become aspects of the whole, willing their creations to come alive while transporting the audience, who will be led, into their sphere of intoxicating creativity."
Richard McNeill: President, Sculptor's Society of Canada, Director; Canadian Sculpture Gallery; Senior Sculpture Instructor; Art Centre: Central Technical School

"A show like this doesn't just dazzle the audience,
it encourages them to jump in and become a part of it.

The two enormous dragon sound sculptures on which the artists perform are remarkable. Standing 12 feet tall and created entirely from found and recycled objects, they left our audiences mesmerized.

The performance, which integrates sound sculpture, percussion, voice, movement and mask, is interesting and sophisticated, blurring the boundaries between visual art, music and theatre. The concept behind Dragon Tango is unique and provides many different tangents that can be explored. What most appealed to us is that it combines two important messages: those of cultural tolerance and environmental protection.

Dragon Tango added a new and stimulating element to the ROM's public programs. "
Margo Welch, Director of Exhibits & Design, Royal Ontario Museum
"A unique sculptural and musical exhibition, an astonishing
symphony of percussion on huge and colourful sculptures."
Sculptor's Society of Canada

"The Virago Project, incorporating sculpture, music and dance, shows great innovative methodology and is highly imaginative. It appealed to a broad range of audiences and was well received. The audiences were not only enthusiastic, but, inquisitive as well. They remained after each performance to 'explore' the sculpture and to ask questions of the performers."
Judi Schwartz, Art Gallery Director/ Curator: Justina M. Barnicke Gallery, University of Toronto
"Amanta Scott and David Tomlinson unite music, theatre, dance and visual arts in a dazzling, larger-than-life program,
a vibrant collection of sound sculptures."
Art Gallery of Ontario
Presenters' Comments
"Arising Phoenix was an incredible addition to the site.
The event was a real success."
Aretha Phillip, Event Supervisors, Programming, fifth annual Celebrate Toronto Street Festival
"An amazing, powerful and fluid production...
Quite unlike anything you will ever have seen...
It leaves you contemplating some of the deeper issues of environmental responsibility and cultural diversity. "
Lindsay Sharpe, President, Royal Ontario Museum
"Scott and Tomlinson are accomplished multifaceted artists. Their work was very well received here. Their message is very strong and pertinent for Japan and North America. This project carries a very strong educational and environmental message."
Louis Hamel, Cultural Counsellor: Canadian Embassy, Japan
"As one who sponsored a demonstration of their art and watched carefully the response of their audiences, I was very pleased that it successfully engaged and delighted audiences of all ages and through a wide range of artistic sophistication."
Peter Oldham, Counsellor: Canadian Embassy, Japan
"Very innovative and exciting. A highly original art installation. Described as a sonic map of Canada, the installation was created to represent Canada's geographical and multicultural diversity in an interesting and accessible medium. The performances were enjoyed by large audiences. In addition to the performances the artists conducted a series of educational workshops at a local high-school. The workshops allowed students to participate in the building of the installation and taught them about art, recycling and cultural exchange. Feedback from the teachers and students was very positive."
Hugh Stephens, Director: Canadian Trade Office in Taipei

"Presented as part of our 'For Openers' festival, The Virago Project has a remarkable richness and depth. I have rarely encountered a work that resonates on as many levels or evokes as many connections with different spheres of human experiences. At the same time the work displays youthful vitality, enthusiasm and wit."
Jim Montgomery, Artistic Director: Music Gallery

 

"The Virago Project is contemporary spectacle at its best! The material is witty, intelligent, political, and accessible. The performances are clever, committed and fully rooted. The style is a unique blend of tradition and innovation. Using elements of opera, dance, theatre, ritual and drumming Amanta Scott and David Tomlinson have created a totally mesmerizing performance piece. Our Street Festival event was filled with many enjoyable experiences but none could compare with the sheer primal thrill of experiencing The Virago Project. As an audience member I was enchanted — at times ticked, at others challenged, always surprised and intrigued by the unpredictable yet totally accessible nature of the event.

I was astounded by what appeared to be a magical ability to draw a huge audience in literally minutes of the opening 'note'. Like me the general public was enthralled by their fantastic sound sculptures, titillated by the percussive force, excited by the provocative performance — entirely captivated. If you are looking for memorable events with real integrity — book these artists. The Virago Project is contemporary spectacle at its best! "
Susan Serran, Artistic Producer/ Director: Theatre Passe Muraille
"The Virago Project is a fascinating. It is an evolving multidisciplinary work that combines the sculptural and compositional talents of its creators with the participating performance energy of dance. Audiences of all ages were enthralled with the performances at 'First Night' and we felt the pieces was very successful as part of the festival. We received very positive feed back on their presentation both from audiences and the media."
Dina F. Graser, Producer: First Night 93
"Amanta Scott and David Tomlinson's work was inspiring and drew large audiences. Their work was performed with integrity and excellence. They were also very helpful in explaining their concepts and inspirations to the crowds who gathered after the performances and asked questions."
Allen Kaeja, Michael Menegon, Co- Artistic Directors; Fringe Festival of Independent Dance Artists
Educators
"Very interesting — something we can do with students in a school. Great idea. Innovative!" J. Atkinson
"Renzouli, a theorist on enrichment, talks about different models of enrichment with level three being the highest. The types of programs that Ms. Scott and Mr. Tomlinson have created would certainly fit this model."
Sonja Vandermeer, Curriculum Coordinator, Victoria County Board of Education
"What an amazing performance. Arising Phoenix looked magnificent and sounded like a full orchestra. The children's faces were beaming."
Diane Conklin, Principal, Alex Muir Public School, Sault Ste. Marie
"Fantastic performance. The children obviously enjoyed the interaction with the performers."
Mae Brown, Educator
"The dragons looked magnificent. Our students and teachers enjoyed the show and found it very unusual and creative."
Sharon Carew, Principal: Lindsay Collegiate and Vocational Institute
"Dragon Tango was a seamless integration of arts. The costumes, masks, sculptures, voice, percussion, movement and dance were integrated to present a delightful, magical and mysterious hour. Dragon Tango was an intriguing fusion of mythology and cultures, with themes that fascinated because of the sophisticated layers of meaning and appeal. The audience was enthralled."
Phyllis Whyte, Artistic Director, Claude Watson School for the Arts
"Truly sensational... exciting ... An enjoyable dance drama ... evocative in its presentation. A vast percussion orchestra ... intricate drumming passages were interlaced with visceral sound effects which seemed boundless in their variety. An all-encompassing artistic experience."
Russell Hartenburger, Professor of Music, University of Toronto
". . . one of the most unique art experiences to have come on the education scene in a long time. . . The work raises awareness of the oneness of man as both a sociological and environmental being and encourages discussion on how we can maintain and protect our environment. Students enjoy themselves, are enthusiastic and stimulated to create their reactions. This work challenges anyone who sees and hears it. It presents a vital message to students using a vehicle they will never forget."
William A. Crane, Arts Consultant, Peterborough School board
"My 5 year old saw the show a couple of weeks ago and watched in terrified fascination from the safety of the doorway. He was desperate to come back and so we saw it again today. This time we were in the second row and he really enjoyed it. I loved the western dragon equals garbage idea. I'll use it in my grade 7 class. Thanks."
John Thomas
"As a secondary school teacher I find this an excellent program for all levels. It shows a wonderful cross-curricular approach to integrating the environment, music, art and physics."
M. Barraclough
"A wonderful combination of music, art, dance and global awareness. As an Orff teacher I am inspired by the imagination and use of recycled material. As well, the dragons are very beautiful to look at. Move over Nexus."
B. L.
"Just returned from Japan and found this Syncretic performance exhilarating for mind and spirit. The Eastern/Western dragon mythology runs deep and the sight/sense of Gaia in the middle of the ancient struggle leaves much food for thought. Those of us who experiment with techno-art in old and new media salute these fascinating and profound efforts."
Liss Jeffrey, Associate Director, McLuhan Program International, University of Toronto
International Reactions

 "What a wonderful idea, Glove Forest.
Wait til we tell those back home!"
Mel & Linda Osborne (Paris)

 

"Excelente, very good."
Arade Torres, Caracas (Venezuela)


"Superb performance and highly enjoyable. The performers talk was surprisingly worthwhile and enlightening. Excellent."
D. Reynolds (England)


"ROM should be applauded for its vision in bringing Dragon Tango to the city. As we move our worlds into contact this is a perfect reminder of the differences and how they can be used in collaboration for the new millennium."
SFU (Kansas)


"It's a wonderful show! You can feel a great variety of impressions about our feelings and conception about the world, according to your beliefs. Thanks so much!"
Fabiola Pascuas (Colombia)
Audiences of All Ages

 

"Loved the show." Michael Dumont, Sault Ste. Marie

 

"Very spiritual." Kate

 

"Seems like a gathering of lost souls." LB

 

"A very thought-provoking and moving exhibit!" A.J.McKinnon

 

"An ingenious idea, effectively realized. Thanks." Gail G.

 

"Powerful." Sarah Lau

 

"This is so—oo cool."

 

"I love the weaving of audio amongst the 'trees' —
how you've given them voices." Tamara Mckenny

 

"The voices haunt with their echoing lament...
Our abuse of mother earth will continue to haunt us,
and if we don't change — all we will be able to do is lament." J.M.

 

"They all are cool, one keeps saying 'recycle' over and over again!" Jeff

 

"We really appreciate the trees! They sound magic.
We like that they have voices." C. C. Algoma

 

"The gloves sound cool." Nick

 

"Interesting, thought provoking. This brings up thoughts of truth and wonder. It's the scariest most true-to-life forest I have ever entered. Marvellous job. Hopefully the glove voices will not only be heard but also listened to." Lucy

 

"I don't know why but it scares me;
the movie and the messages in the gloves."

 

"Very interesting art work. It's breathtaking." Nadine Gagne, Toronto

 

"Great work of art, very interesting." Santa Cruz, California

 

"I feel like I need more fingers." A.G.

 

"On the floor there are messages in the gloves and they are written by kids! It is really cool." Kaitlyn, Sault Ste. Marie

 

"I like the colours a lot. I like the shape of the gloves and all the different lives they've held. Thank you."

 

"This is freaky! I mean: your spirit in a glove!"

 

"Great exhibit. Fantastic message." Cory

 

"Very creative and fun!" Rick Conklin

 

"Wow. Got me thinking, thanks." David Breilette, Sudbury Ont.

 

"Amazing — new approach to environmental concerns. Very refreshing." Sarah Lewis

 

"A fascinating concept! Kudos." Lynn Landry-Rody

"Smart reflection on our consumer culture." G.P.

"It makes you think of the world around you!" A. Willimanson

 

"Awesome!" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " Cool"

"Wow!" . . . . . . . . . . . . "Amazing!"

 

"Not just a synthesis of music, dance and theatre but of philosophy, religion and culture . . . a wonderful performance!"
S. Simoni



"Art, design, sound, music, dance are present in a unique display of intelligent and emotional cultural and environmental and historic mosaic which is static while dynamic, frightening yet calming."
M. Vandermeer



"Thank you for a rare, delightful, profoundly moving experience for myself and my children. It is priceless to witness an artistic statement with such depth, ecological awareness, fun, interaction and mingling of east and west. A real inspiration."
SatDharamKauras



"Wonderful bird, fantastic combination of sound and sculpture."
Bo Plesant


"A very creative and imaginative use of discarded items. Recycling at its finest."
Marissa


"A most special experience to see and hear. The rapt attention on the faces of the children and their wonder .... An echo for me. A vitalizing forceful trip on the wonder bird."
Mac Mackinnon



"What a fun experience! Amazing! Thanks for coming to our gallery"
Lois Conyers



"We enjoyed the energy of the performance, the ingenuity of the sculptures and the interesting hands-on opportunities to play a dragon."
A Weibster



"I think this show was brilliant. Scary for small children definitely! We need more of this wonderful research and multi-arts exhibits."
Marie Stanch, Toronto



"The use of discarded refuse in such a creative way is a real lesson in museum curation. The result of the Dragon Tango digs is an example of artistic enterprise and truly presents the mythology of dragons with élan vital. Sort of a living exhibit of east and west concepts any museum should happily display."
DFH.



"Your dragons live! I will be back many times and bring my friends - to be moved and excited and feel awe. East West - sound - form - drama - it stirred my soul. It is tremendous this museum hosted such an innovative production. Museums bring us man's experience through many lives and many ages. Here is now the new direction. Exploring our sense of the world (its peoples, culture, myths and natural environment) through this dramatic presentation."
Mary Catherine Cheng



"The show was amazing. I like the idea of giving your own meaning. It feels like you have a part in it. It also allows for some original ideas."
Mira Rose



"Fabulous, the environmental awareness issues you raise are excellently done. I loved the explanation of symbolism and imagery. Thank you."
C. Guilaghan



"A fascinating presentation!! The explanations of the east meeting west was extremely interesting and I would like to have heard more. I think even the youngest children understood much of the symbolism. Thank you to the artists!" J. Aldershot


"Excellent show. Nice lead-in to discussions of the environment, good and evil which is always valuable to a parent. Provides for "teachable moments" Nicely done."
Jim Rowe



"Appeals to all generations. Simply great. (ages 5, 7, 35, 72 years)"


"My friend and I (both 17) enjoyed your performance extremely. Just the sculptures were enough to melt us into pure excitement, and the music just heightened everything."
Alicia



"Our second visit - just as delightful. Among many aspects, the sense of our recent material past reassembled was really effective in the context of the museum."



"Even though I'm only 13, I really enjoyed this. The evil dragon is the coolest!"
Liam



"Fascinating... Too scary for little kids but universal in appeal. Congratulations to the artists. The message is strong and yet very accessible."
M. Nelson



"Nice melding of eastern & western ideoglogy; environmental vs worldly concerns and personal interpretation vs worldly legends. Great work. More! More! More!"
M. Rose



"A fabulous and intriguing show on all levels. Beautiful art, beautiful storytelling and an enhancing, enriching and educational experience for adults, parents and children..."
M. Koles

© 2000 - 2006 Leading Tone Arts Productions Inc.
Revised: Thu, Jan 19, 2006