ᖃᒡᒋᖅ (ᑲᑎᑦᑕᕐᕕᒃ) Qaggiq: Gathering Place September 18– November 30, 2019 Works by
Curated by asinnajaq and Barbara Fischer
Presented with the support of the Jackman Humanities Institute, University of Toronto
Presented in partnership with Toronto Biennial of Art ᖃᒡᒋᖅ (ᑲᑎᑦᑕᕐᕕᒃ) Qaggiq: Gathering Place
Cover: Isuma, Hunting with my Ancestors Episode 1: Bowhead Whale Hunt, 2018. Courtesy of Isuma and Vtape.
Right: Isuma, The Journals of Knud Rasmussen, 2006. Courtesy of Isuma and Vtape. Our name Isuma means “to think," as in Isuma: film and video Thinking Productions. Our building in the from an Inuit point of view centre of Igloolik has a big sign on the front that says Isuma. Think. Young and old work together to keep our ancestors' knowledge alive. We create traditional artifacts, digital multimedia, and desperately needed jobs in the same activity. Our productions give an artist's view for all to see where we came from: what Inuit were able to do then and what we are able to do now.
Above and below right: Isuma, The Journals of Knud Rasmussen, 2006. Courtesy of Isuma and Vtape.
Middle: Isuma, Hunting with my Ancestors Episode 1: Bowhead Whale Hunt, 2018. Courtesy of Isuma and Vtape.
Above right: Isuma, Qapirangajuq: Inuit Knowledge and Climate Change, 2010. Courtesy of Isuma and Vtape. ᖃᒡᒋᖅ (ᑲᑎᑦᑕᕐᕕᒃ) Qaggiq: Gathering Place
Isuma, Hunting with my Ancestors Episode 1: Bowhead Whale Hunt, 2018. Courtesy of Isuma and Vtape.
In 1990, Zacharias Kunuk, Paul Apak Angilirq, and a warrior's epic endurance. It was not expand access for and to Inuit and Indigenous The curators have invited guest artist Couzyn Pauloosie Qulitalik, and Norman Cohn founded only the first feature film produced entirely in productions, using low-bandwidth internet to van Heuvelen into the exhibition of Isuma’s Igloolik Isuma Productions Inc. to create film Inuktitut, it also premiered at the Cannes Film inform and consult on, and to make transparent work with his work Qamutiik (Sled). An Inuk and video from an Inuit point of view. They set Festival, where it was awarded the prestigious such recent contested developments as the sculptor and installation artist originally from out to counter the mainstream media world, Camera D'Or. Baffinland Iron Mine at Mary River. Iqaluit, Nunavut, van Heuvelen has come to be where the news is produced in English and known for works that draw on Inuit traditions French and stories remain focused on urban Isuma’s films often focus on significant turning The team that collaborates to bring us Isuma and identity through distinctly contemporary centers of power, by making a space where the points in the history of northern communities, uses as many tools as possible to cultivate materials and a conceptual perspective. His choice of subject and content is in Inuit hands. from the forced introduction of Christianity, communication—from video art to television works consider ways of living with the land Isuma has maintained their integrity by never to the fateful day in 1958 when the Canadian programs, feature films, webcomic templates, and the relation with animals, through the forfeiting creative authority and autonomy. government compelled communities to study guides, and classroom curriculums. experience of displacement and the value Keeping this power, like the final cut on a film, relocate to permanent settlements—the Their work empowers those who wish to think of remembering and renewal. Based in has been critical for staying true to what is most story at the heart of One Day in the Life of about and partake in the shaping of Indigenous Bowmanville, Ontario, van Heuvelen received important to them. Noah Piugattuk, which debuted at the Venice and common futures. Isuma’s gift starts with his BA from York University and his MFA from Biennale this past May, and is on view at the their creative force and extends to that of their NSCAD. Over the past three decades, one of Isuma’s Toronto Biennial of Art. widening circle of participants and viewers. projects has been to encourage community Isuma was officially founded in 1990 by and pass on inter-generational knowledge. Isuma is an expansive mobilizing force. In The exhibition at the Art Museum, presented Zacharias Kunuk, Paul Apak Angilirq, They are continuing oral traditions in today’s addition to producing their own work, they in collaboration with the Toronto Biennial of Pauloosie Qulitalik, and Norman Cohn technologies, working with elders who share recognize the necessity for perspectives beyond Art, seeks to stay true to these values. The goal in Igloolik, Nunavut. This first ever Inuit their expansive knowledge and their life their own. Their alliances include Arnait Video of Gathering Place—composed of a reading production company produces video from an experience on Isuma TV. Productions (originally the Women’s Video and meeting space as well as several screening Inuit point of view, which includes language, Workshop of Igloolik), which has its own rich rooms—is to create a place where people may story telling, and ways of thinking. Their Beyond testimonials, Isuma has produced vast history of video productions and feature films be able to become active through Isuma’s work. films are imbued with the voices of elders and cycles of programming for video, film, and launched at festivals worldwide. In 1998, to Their work says what needs to be said. Isuma young Inuit, with mythology, memories and television in which the entire cast and crew support youth creativity and combat youth brings people together; through this exhibition, nightmares, and above all with oral histories employ and/or relearn traditional knowledge, suicide, Isuma fostered the creation of Artcirq, we hope the gallery space will do the same. of times before contact and the trauma of language, and cultural practices. Included an artistic collective also based in Igloolik that encounter that includes Christian conversion in this exhibition is their epic, 1995 series has evolved into a thriving circus in which —asinnajaq and Barbara Fischer and forced relocation. Above all, their activist Nunavut: Our Land, each of its 13 dramatic Inuit youth reconnect with traditional cultural works are part of the ongoing, ever present chapters invoking Inuit ways of life and practices including gamesmanship. struggle to sustain Inuit futures in the massive survival in the 1940s. Projects such as these asinnajaq is an independent filmmaker, curator transformation of the North through resource build resilience, and their impact is felt both by Integral to this work, in 2008, Isuma launched and writer living in Montreal. extraction projects and climate change. those involved and their audiences. Isuma TV, the world’s first website for Indigenous media art. Today it features an Barbara Fischer is director of the Art Museum Isuma’s 2001 film Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner archive of over 7,850 films and videos in 71 at the University of Toronto. brought them to international attention: an languages. Making a place for Indigenous Inuit legend, telling the story of love, crime, media democracy, Isuma continues to radically Opening Event Toronto Biennial of Art Visiting the Art Museum
Reception Isuma’s related installation for TBA 2019, Justina M. Barnicke Gallery Tuesday Noon–5pm Tuesday, September 17, 2019, 6-8pm One Day in the Life of Noah Piugattuk, is on 7 Hart House Circle Wednesday Noon–8pm University of Toronto Art Centre view at the Small Arms Inspection Building, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H3 Thursday Noon–5pm Mississauga from September 21 to December 1, 416.978.8398 Friday Noon–5pm 2019. Visit torontobiennial.org for details. Saturday Noon–5pm Public Programs University of Toronto Art Centre Sunday Closed 15 King’s College Circle Monday Closed A Conversation with Isuma Collateral Programs Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H7 With Norman Cohn, Zacharias Kunuk, 416.978.1838 Closed on statutory holidays. Class tours and Apayata Kotierk, Samuel Cohn-Cousineau, With the North: Inuit Visions and group bookings by appointment. Jonathan Frantz and asinnajaq Voices in Toronto Wheelchair access to University College, and Admission is FREE. Tuesday, September 17, 2019, 4-6pm Inspired by the International Year of the Art Museum’s University of Toronto Art Room 140, University College Indigenous Languages, art galleries and Centre location, will be closed due to University [email protected] Registration required. organizations across the Toronto region College building revitalization. Accommodations artmuseum.utoronto.ca will present various exhibitions and public for accessibility are available upon request by @artmuseumuoft Workshop with asinnajaq programs under the overall program, With the contacting [email protected]. Wednesday, October 23, 12pm North: Inuit Visions and Voices in Toronto. University of Toronto Art Centre Yonge St Registration required. This joint programming initiative will be the
idea of Indigenous Language in its broadest Bloor St W Curatorial tour with asinnajaq sense, as a means of survivance and resilience, and Barbara Fischer and of culture, music, images, traditional and Charles St W Museum Wednesday, October 23, 6pm contemporary cultural practices of people and Subway Station University of Toronto Art Centre the environment. Participating organizations St George Subway include: Feheley Fine Arts, Harbourfront Station Bay St Drop-In Tours Centre, imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts St Joseph St Fall Exhibitions Tour Festival, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Queen’s Park Cres W
Every Tuesday, 2pm Onsite Gallery at OCAD University, The Power Hoskin Ave Tower Rd Justina Meet at the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery Plant and Wapatah Centre, Textile Museum of M. Barnicke Gallery Wellesley St W Canada and the Toronto Biennial of Art. St George St Malcove Collection Tour Huron St Hart Last Wednesday of each month, 12 noon University House Circle University of Toronto Art Centre of Toronto Staff Art Centre
Grosvenor St Hart House Collection Tour Barbara Fischer, Executive Director/ King’s Spadina Ave College Last Wednesday of each month, 2pm Chief Curator Circle Meet at the Hart House information desk Sarah Robayo Sheridan, Curator John G. Hampton, Adjunct Curator Group tours may be booked by contacting College St Seika Boye, Adjunct Curator Galbraith Rd Queen’s Park Subway Station us at [email protected] Rebecca Gimmi, Program Coordinator Russell St Maureen Smith, Business Coordinator For program details visit Heather Darling Pigat, Collections Manager Spadina artmuseum.utoronto.ca Esther Simmonds-MacAdam, Exhibition Crescent Coordinator Chiara Cavaliere, Gallery Attendant The exhibition at the Art Museum focuses on Sam Mogelonsky, Communications Assistant the expansive media activist project of Isuma Robert Anthony O’Halloran, Alexandra on the occasion and as extension of Isuma’s Chacinski, Alex Durlak, Dax Morrison, participation at the 58th International Art Exhibition Technicians an Ontario government agency Biennale in Venice. More on Isuma at isuma.tv. un organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario Brand Design: Underline Studio Printing: Flash Reproductions Copy Editor: Ruth Jones Art Museum University of Toronto — Justina M. Barnicke Gallery University of Toronto Art Centre
7 Hart House Circle Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H3 artmuseum.utoronto.ca