Diane Landry: Flying School

Diane Landry
(Canadian, b. 1958)
Flying School, 2000
Motorized sound installation of umbrellas, harmonicas, motors, steel,
cardboard, halogen lighting, MIDI controller, computer
Collection of the Cameron Art Museum

Welcome the return of artist Diane Landry’s signature work, Flying School (Ecole d’aviation). Its multi-colored umbrellas, attached to rods at different heights, fold and unfold intermittently, like a person inhaling and exhaling. Motor-driven accordions lie at each of the umbrella bases. Their silhouettes cast by the halogen lighting are projected upward on the ceiling, resembling flowers opening and closing. The magical umbrella-accordions are a hybrid of light and sound, infused with elements of sculpture, musical craftsmanship, and electronics.

Canadian artist Diane Landry initially worked at an agricultural research center but felt compelled to pursue her dream of being an artist. After earning fine arts degrees from Université Laval and Stanford University, she pursued a career as a painter. However, Landry soon found herself drawn to the “production of installation and performance works,” in which she was able to combine her passion for art, her interest in recycling and ready-made products, and her scientific and technical knowledge. Over the last four decades, Landry’s work has been exhibited across the world, from the United States and Canada to Latin America, China, and Australia.

Flying School is part of Cameron Art Museum’s evolving collection. If you would like to learn more about CAM’s collection and how acquisitions are made, please read more about our Compass membership program here or consider joining the museum at any level to support the collection.