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For Immediate Release (June 8, 2007)
A PORTRAIT OF TORONTO’S ART SCENE IN 25 SECONDS
(Toronto) - In celebration of summer, Prefix Institute of Contemporary Art is pleased to present the world premiere of 25sec.–Toronto, by Berlin artists Angelika Middendorf & Andreas Schimanski. Curated and commissioned by Toronto curator Rhonda Corvese, this dual-projection installation presents a portrait of contemporary art production from the various perspectives of members of Toronto's arts community.
Shot in Toronto during a four-week artists' residency at the Drake Hotel, Middendorf & Schimanski (in collaboration with the curator) invited participants, who reflect a cross-section of local arts and cultural workers, to prepare a 25-second response to the question, "What are your professional goals and thoughts in relation to Toronto and the art world in general?" Participants included artists, gallerists, writers, critics, institutional and independent curators, art directors, administrators and art historians.
In fifty-seven 25-second testimonials, the work captures the diverse perspectives, desires and approaches of some of the individuals who help to shape the Toronto art scene. It creates an opportunity for a wider exchange of ideas by directly articulating the unique visions and shared hopes of cultural workers and participants. Andrea Carson, art critic and founder of the View On Canadian Art (VOCA) blog describes the project as, "a video postcard" - wherever it travels, viewers will be offered a glimpse into what comprises Toronto's art world.
In 2003, Middendorf & Schimanski's interest in researching and contextualizing the art scene in Berlin led to the first 25sec. project. 25sec.–Berlin will be on monitor display during the Prefix exhibition. 25sec.–Toronto is the second installment within an expanding roster of metropolitan cities that includes Ekaterinburg, Russia and Taipei, Taiwan. Ultimately, all 25sec. projects will be exhibited together as a travelling international postcard that will highlight the common threads and diversity among artists worldwide. For more information please visit www.25sec.net.
An opening reception and summer party for 25sec.–Toronto, featuring an exciting array of summer treats, will be held on Thursday, June 21 from 7 to 10 PM at Prefix Institute of Contemporary Art, located at 401 Richmond Street West, Suite 124, Toronto. An after-party will be held from 10 PM till closing at the Drake Hotel located at 1150 Queen Street West, Toronto. The artists and curator will be present. The exhibition continues until July 28, 2007. Admission is free. This event is concurrent with the reception for Sales Performance, an exhibition of nine new performance-based videos by Toronto artists.
About the Artists
Since 1996 Angelika Middendorf and Andreas Schimanski have collaborated in a number of projects, such as 25sec.ˆBerlin at loop-raum für aktuelle kunst/guestroom in Berlin (2003); One Fine Day in Berlin and Sydney, Australia (2002); Lecture-Lounge Vol.01 + 02 at P.S.1/Clocktower Gallery in New York (2001). Collaborative shows also include DiaLog-In, Pavillon der Volksbühne, Berlin (1997); INTROGROUP of Pavillon der Volksbühne at SocialSpacesBerlin at HybridWorkSpace at Documenta X, Kassel (1997); levels#1/ P.O.P – Punkt.Ort. Position (P.O.P – Point.Location.Position) at Gallery parkhaus Berlin (2001); Time Based at Gesellschaft für aktuelle Kunst in Bremen (2003) and Vokietjos Video Menas at the Goethe Institute Inter Nationes in Vilnius, Lithuania (2004). Further info and project links to find at www.lecture-lounge.net and www.25sec.net.
Angelika Middendorf is a conceptual and media artist based in Berlin, Germany. Her work has been presented in numerous international solo and group shows including: 15th Bremen Video Art Award, Gesellschaft für Aktuelle Kunst Bremen (2007); Circle, Sphere, Cosmos at Kunsthalle Würth (2007) and Pergamonmuseum Berlin (2006); Return to Space at Hamburger Kunsthalle (2005/6); Looping Space at Brandenburgischer Kunstverein in Potsdam (2005); Slowness at Govett-Brewster Gallery in New Plymouth, New Zealand (2004); Tempo at the Museum of Modern Art, New York (2002); Novalog at staatsbankberlin and Pollak Gallery Tel Aviv (2001); Berlin_London, ICA London (2001); Strangers/Etrangers at P.S.1 New York (2001). Middendorf received several awards and grants including the 15th Video Art Award Bremen (2006), the German Art Award of Artistic Photography (1996), Grand Prize of the Osaka Triennale (1991) and a residency at the International Studio Program at P.S.1 in New York (2000-2001).
Andreas Schimanski is a video and installation artist based in Berlin, Germany. His work has been presented in numerous international solo and group shows including: Cocooning, loop-raum für aktuelle kunst Berlin (2007); "mini-projo" Montreal, Arts Interculturels, Montreal, CAN (2006); "Step", loop-raum für aktuelle Kunst, Berlin (2005); Ortsbegehung10 at the Neuer Berliner Kunstverein in Berlin (2004) and Kunstverein Göttingen (2004); "SCREEN SPIRIT", Städtische Galerie im Buntentor, Bremen (2004); Uwaga Berlin", Baltic Gallery of Contemporary Art, Slupsk / Poland (2004); "LAUF/„LOVE", Capri, Berlin (2003). Berlin – getting real", Kunst Zürich, Zürich (2002). Schimanski is the recipient of the Video Project grant, Department for Cultural Affairs, Berlin Lichtenberg (2006), the German Art Award of Artistic Photography (1996), the Bremer Advancement Award for Fine Arts (1996) and Video Award Bremen (1994). Independent research residency in New York (2000-2001). Andreas Schimanski is represented by loop raum fur aktuelle kunst in Berlin, Germany.
Rhonda Corvese is a Toronto-based independent curator. Her curatorial projects include: Nuit Blanche, curator - Zone A (2007); The Legacy of Joseph Wagenbach (2006), a site-specific installation by Iris Häussler; and The Idea of North, a sound art exhibition in Norway, Iceland and Halifax (2005-06).
Prefix Institute of Contemporary Art is a public art gallery and art publishing house based in Toronto. A registered charitable organization, Prefix fosters the appreciation and understanding of contemporary photographic, media and digital art. Prefix acknowledges the support of our Official Catering Sponsor, à la Carte Kitchen, and our Official Hotel Sponsor, the Sutton Place Hotel. Lastly, Prefix acknowledges the assistance of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Toronto Arts Council.
The artists and curator acknowledge the generous support of the Drake Hotel A.I.R. program, the Goethe-Institut Toronto, the Ontario College of Art and Design, and Prefix Institute of Contemporary Art for their enthusiastic commitment to this project. Rhonda Corvese would like to thank the Canada Council for the Arts‚ Grants to Professional Independent Critics and Curators program.
For more information, print-ready images, or to schedule an interview, please contact Heather Haynes, T: 416-898-9007 E: publicist@prefix.ca |
– Toronto (2006)