Review written by Peggy Lampotang

Unbalanced, an exhibition showcasing the work of Alex Moyle at Sidespace Gallery, is packed on August 27th, its opening day. I am late and rush in, but the hushed silence makes me stop short and tiptoe between guests. Their rapt attention is directed at the artist who is describing the thoughts and work process that went into his whimsical creations.

Alex Moyle is tall and lean. His long fingers fan the air, and sometimes land on a part of his sculpture to emphasize a point. He talks in a calm, poised manner, with short pauses that brim with intensity, as if he is constantly connected to some deep, deep part of himself. As if he is giving us a glimpse of a mysterious inner world that is always churning with wonderful ideas ready to take shape under his skillful hands.

His light-hearted, yet finely engineered sculptures dangle, twirl around, drip, hold our attention. Ordinary objects such as wires, glasses, fabric, wood, stones interact in surprising ways. They are often placed in precarious balance, making them appear enticing and dangerous, challenging us to look within ourselves, at why we are so charmed by these unusual displays of creativity. Sharp, clean lines of wood or glass are juxtaposed against the randomness of curled, twisted wires, crushed pieces of fabric, and glass beads. There is a sense of control, yet an element of disorder that seem to intertwine pleasantly.

An artist sensitive to his environment and in tune with its vast possibilities, Moyle used a leak in the roof of the gallery for one of his sculptures. He devised a system in which drops of water from the ceiling slide in timed sequence on a long thin thread and trickle in slow motion into a glass bowl. The slight splash of the drop causes a floating ball sprouting wires and beads to bounce and rotate. The calculated precision of the drop against the playfulness of the drifting sculpture project a harmonious balance that would make any high-strung city dweller wish life could imitate art.

In the invitation to his show, we are told that Alexander Moyle explores the delicate balance of elements in a state of momentary equilibrium. He has discovered that minute adjustments can have profound results in sustaining balance in this art form. His work is a visual metaphor for the illusive balance we long to maintain in our daily lives.

Viewing the work of Alex Moyle is a delight not only to the eye but to the psyche. He is well-known for his sculpture at the Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts, and his work on movie sets such as X Men and The Republic of Love. This current show brings out a different aspect of his talents, something closer to home, something we can connect with at a more personal level. These sculptural mobiles are even available for purchase.

If you have not seen the show yet, there are a few weeks left to check it out at Sidespace Gallery, northwest corner of St. Clair West and Lauder. Unbalanced continues till September 30th.