An exhibition of slaphappy socks by
Fiona MacLeod and Christine Lawrance
Opening Reception: Thursday, April 5 from 6pm – 8pm
The Circle Craft Gallery will present the exhibition “April Fools!” from April 6 – May 2, 2007. “April Fools!” features an odd menagerie of over 30 characters – they are a parade of life’s clowns, jesters, buffoons, puppets, saltimbanques and outcasts.
This exhibit uses everyday materials to create whimsical creatures characterized by their humour and the variety and unconventionality of their media. Inherently multidisciplinary and drawing on the universal language of images, puppetry has crossed international borders and bridged diverse cultures for centuries.
The origins of April Fools Day are somewhat obscure but it is commonly believed to be related to the coming of spring. In France, in the late sixteenth century the calendar was changed from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. New Year’s Day that was previously celebrated on April 1st was changed to January 1st however, news travelled very slowly and there were many people that were not aware of the change or were too stubborn to switch. Those who did not change had various pranks played on them. Paper fish were secretly stuck to their backs and they were known as Poisson d’Avril, April Fish – April Fools.
