MEET JOHN HOWE CONCEPTUAL ARTIST LORD OF THE RINGS FILM TRILOGY CHAPTERS, KITCHENER, FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 7:00 P.M. WORLD’S BIGGEST BOOKSTORE, TORONTO, SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2:00 P.M.
Vancouver-born JOHN HOWE, whose books and images of Tolkien’s world including Gandalf, Gollum, Orcs, Black Riders, so inspired film director Peter Jackson that he hired him to bring The Lord of the Rings trilogy to life, will do two exclusive signings for his book Myth & Magic-The Art of John Howe, published by Harper Collins: Chapters Kitchener, Friday, April 22nd at 7:00 p.m. and World’s Biggest Bookstore, Toronto, Saturday, April 23 at 2:00 p.m.
Howe, who lives in Switzerland, was commissioned to design the cover for the yearly Tolkien calendar in 1987. Without his knowledge, these and subsequent illustrations of Tolkien characters and stories were used by film director, Peter Jackson to help generate interest and investors in Hollywood for the production of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy! In 1997 he was called by Peter Jackson to be the visual concepts designer for the films that went on to win 11 Academy Awards among other honours.
John Howe’s images are also part of Canadian Howard Shore’s magnificent The Lord of the Rings Symphony that will transport audiences into Tolkien’s world with live performances by the
Kitchener -Waterloo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Markus Huber and a chorus of more than 250 voices from the Kitchener Waterloo Philharmonic Choir, Kitchener Waterloo Philharmonic Youth Choir, Kitchener Waterloo Philharmonic Children’s Choir and Consort Caritatis under the artistic direction of Howard Dyck. Performances will take place Saturday, June 4, 7:30 p.m. at Centre in the Square, Kitchener and at Roy Thomson Hall, Sunday, June 5, Toronto at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Tickets to all concerts can be purchased at the John Howe signings.
John Howe’s work has been on exhibit in several European countries and commands a cult-like following (john-howe.com) Harper Collins has published his maps, posters, calendars, postcards and book covers of Tolkien’s world for many years. Most recently, the French edition of John Howe: Artbook with preface by actor Viggo Mortensen, was published by Nestiveqnen and producers, Werner Aellen and Gretchen Jordan-Bastow will release a documentary film on John Howe, Lord of the Brush to be aired on Bravo! later in 2005.
Chapters Kitchener is located at: 135 Gateway Park Dr. (519) 650-2553
World’s Biggest Bookstore Toronto is located at: 20 Edward Street (416) 977-7009
