exhibitions / programs / events

Summer 2012 June – August 2012 OVERVIEW Summer at The Power Plant

The Power Plant’s All Year, All Free architect Markus Miessen’s design transformed the 25th anniversary celebrations continue space into a hub for considering our archive. Housing a cache of installation shots, lecture videos, with a major group exhibition and publications, and other ephemera, the archive an extension of the dynamic projects space is updated regularly by the curatorial team. activating the gallery’s histories. There is always something exciting happening at The Power Plant. Our Canada Day programming The Power Plant continues an outstanding lineup of features our annual Book Sale and a special tour by exhibitions and associated public programs this some of the artists featured in Tools for Conviviality. anniversary year. The new Summer season explores Our lakefront terrace will be the setting for three individual self-determination and collective power concerts by a mariachi band, while two of our three in and life through the group popular Power Kids programs gives families the exhibition Tools for Conviviality. It features ten artists opportunity to assist in a project by renowned from Toronto, Vancouver, Paris, and who artist Geoffrey Farmer. In August, we head off-site create and use tools that effect change. Referencing for a collaboration with tiff Free Screen at the Bell a text by philosopher Ivan Illich that sought to Lightbox to present the work of American avant- dismantle the specialization of knowledge by elites, garde filmmaker Jonathan Schwartz. Last but not the artists in the exhibition offer visitors various least, The Power Plant is proud to participate in the tools for manifesting agency. Exploring new models Planet IndigenUs triennial organized by Harbour- of engagement, democracy and communalism, front Centre and the Woodland Cultural Centre the exhibition includes interactive pieces and extends with artist Raymond Boisjoly’s billboard project on to outdoor projects. Ultimately, Tools for Conviviality the south façade of gallery, captured speech seeks to develop a politic of being more present writing back: Toronto. in the world. A complete list of programming follows, so The multi-faceted Dissenting Histories: 25 Years whether you visit for a particular event or you find of The Power Plant project continues in the north yourself strolling along the lakefront at Harbour- gallery this Summer with more From the Archives front Centre, we look forward to seeing you at the presentations, a conversation between artist Vera gallery this Summer! Frenkel and curator Ihor Holubizky, and a new artist project by Toronto-based Dave Dyment that mines the gallery’s archives. Last season, German exhibition 3

cover Oscar Tuazon, Alloy (For Steve Baer), 2011. Courtesy the artist and Parkett Editions, Zürich.

1. Claire Fontaine, Untitled (LA CULTURE SE CONDUIT ENVERS L’OBJET TECHNIQUE COMME L’HOMME ENVERS L’ÉTRANGER QUAND IL SE LAISSE EMPORTER PAR LA XÉNOPHOBIE PRIMITIVE.), 2008. Courtesy the artist and Galerie Neu, Berlin.

2. Ulla von Brandenburg, Mamuthones, 2011. Courtesy the artist and Galerie Art: Concept, Paris.

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The Power Plant’s Summer 2012 group exhibition, Tools for Conviviality Tools for Conviviality, addresses social and individual Abbas Akhavan, Raymond Boisjoly, Geoffrey Farmer, agency in contemporary art and life. Bringing Claire Fontaine, Kyla Mallett, Swintak/Don Miller, together artists and practices that create and Reece Terris, Oscar Tuazon, Ulla von Brandenburg, engage tools to effect change and reconsider Franz West social behaviour, the exhibition includes works that are interactive as well as mechanisms towards 30 June – 26 August 2012 self-help, political shifts, ritual devices, potential Opening Party: Friday, 29 June, 8 – 11 PM weapons, and means for critique. The exhibition takes place both inside and outside the gallery Curated by Melanie O’Brian, proper through a re-conquest of space, the Curator & Head of Programs reassessment of information acquisition and a politic of being more present in the world around us. Here, contemporary art is offered as a tool with which to propose alternate tactics.

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3. Abbas Akhavan, Detail of Makeshift Objects, 2008–12. Mixed media. Courtesy the artist and The Third Line Gallery, Dubai.

4. Kyla Mallett, Being Yourself, 2011. Courtesy the artist and the Rennie Collection, Vancouver. Photo: David M. C. Miller and Petra Mala Miller.

5. Franz West, Mirror in Cabin with Adaptives (with Michelangelo Pistoletto), 1996. Installation view: MADRE, Naples, 2010. Courtesy the artist. Photo: Amedeo Benestante.

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Tools for Conviviality borrows its title from Ivan Actionism, relational aesthetics, utopian ideolo- diagrams are pulled from a self-improvement Related Programming Illich’s 1973 philosophical text of the same name, gies, and countercultural and grassroots move- manual, Oscar Tuazon’s sculptural work brings an using the reference as a framework to consider ments. In many of these works, a methodology of industrial aesthetic to utopian and playful architec- Planet IndigenUs artists’ engagement with, and resistance to, looking back in order to move forward is at play. ture, and Swintak/Don Miller’s new work created 10 – 19 August contemporary strategies and dialogues. Citing a Raymond Boisjoly’s new exterior text-based for the exhibition grafts both an experiential and need to develop new instruments for the acquisition work considers The Power Plant’s location within a spatial location from the countryside into the Full festival details are available at harbourfrontcentre.com of knowledge by the individual, Illich’s treatise cultural and geographical history. Works by Abbas gallery. Reece Terris’ new work examines the tools Raymond Boisjoly’s project for Tools for Conviviality, sought to dismantle the institutionalization of Akhavan and Claire Fontaine include homemade needed to maintain social and professional captured speech writing back: Toronto, is also presented specialized knowledge and the dominance of armaments, while Franz West’s interactive Adap- relationships. The artists in the exhibition situate as part of Planet IndigenUs, ten visionary days of current technocratic elites in industrial society. The tools tives reconnect viewers with their individual visual themselves within old and new strategies, using global indigenous culture. A triennial organized by that most interested Illich, and are reflected in the and tactile experience of objects. Geoffrey Farmer’s tools to ask us to look anew at the social and Harbourfront Centre and the Woodland Cultural Centre works shown in the exhibition, have links to changing iterations of a continuous work finds an physical spaces around us. in Brantford, Planet IndigenUs runs 10 – 19 August. self-organization, wiki models, democratic space, extension in a new interactive project around the and forms of communal activity. The engagement half-formed figure, and Ulla von Brandenburg’s that the works in Tools for Conviviality propose has related engagement with stage and props results SUPPORT for the exhibition PROVIDED BY THE POWER PLAYERS PROGRAM a strong grounding in the histories of the last five in a film installation that approaches the power of decades including conceptual art, performance, ritual. Kyla Mallett’s appropriated constellation-like exhibition 7

1. Installation view: dissenting histories artist project Dissenting Histories: 25 Years of The Power Plant, 2012. Photo: Toni Dave Dyment Hafkenscheid. 30 June – 26 August 2012 2. Dave Dyment, One Billion Years (Past & Future), 2010. Courtesy the artist Toronto artist Dave Dyment’s new project and MKG127, Toronto. begins with his exploration of The Power Plant’s archives. Expanding on his practice of research-based conceptualism, his inves- tigation results in a work presented within Dissenting Histories: 25 Years of The Power Plant during our Summer 2012 season.

Working with audio, video, photography, and Fern Bayer the production of artists’ books, multiples and editions, Dyment’s witty practice mines popular 1 culture, vernacular photography and music. His From the Archives past projects include a century-aged edition of THE POWER PLANT Glenfiddich malt whisky; a duet with Sonic Youth’s free Dissenting Histories staging events around The Power Plant’s history Lee Ranaldo; and the photograph One Billion Years including the From the Archives series of presenta- (Past & Future), which arranges dozens of books As part of our 25th anniversary programming, we have invited curators, artists, critics, and others to delve into tions on key exhibitions from The Power Plant’s according to the time frames referenced in their 25 Years of The Power Plant The Power Plant’s history by giving informal presentations past and lively conversations between curators and titles. Dyment has exhibited across Canada and in our Dissenting Histories project space. Continues to 26 August 2012 artists vital to The Power Plant’s history and to the internationally, and his work is represented by Toronto art world’s past, present and future. Our MKG127, Toronto. Paul Zingrone Curated by Melanie O’Brian, regularly updated presentations of print materials, Curator & Head of Programs videos, slides, and other treasures from our vaults Sunday, 29 July, 2 pm will continue as well, as will our Online Archive of Dissenting Histories: 25 Years of The Power Plant is Paul Zingrone is Head of Installations & Facilities at The ephemera. Power Plant, where he has worked since 1987. Drawing on designed to exhibit, activate, reconsider, and put anecdotes from his experience throughout the gallery’s into dialogue the gallery’s rich histories. Designed twenty-five years, Zingrone will reflect on the key creative by Markus Miessen, a German architect and writer role played by the installation technician as a unique who has considered institutional histories and has aspect of The Power Plant. contributed to our thinking about participation in public space and design, our upstairs gallery is Fern Bayer transformed into a space to consider our history Sunday, 26 August, 2 pm within local and international contexts, as well as within present spatial and theoretical concerns. Fern Bayer is an independent curator and art historian. Following its inauguration in the Spring 2012 After working as a curator and consultant for the Govern- ment of Ontario from 1977 – 95, where she initiated many season, the space transforms this Summer with a large international curatorial projects, she is currently new project by Toronto-based artist Dave Dyment completing the catalogue raisonné of the work of General that intervenes in and responds to our archives. Idea. Bayer will discuss the exhibition From Sea to Shining The gallery will also continue to be a space for 2 Sea (1987). summer programs and events Primary Education Sponsor 9

Sunday Scene Emelie Chhangur June July – August Sunday, 12 August, 2 pm The Power Plant Book Sale free Emelie Chhangur is an artist, curator and writer based in Toronto, where Sunday, 1 July, 2 – 6 pm Every Sunday, speakers from the she is Assistant Director/Curator of world of art and beyond offer their the Art Gallery of York University. The Power Plant responses to the current exhibi- Over the past decade, Chhangur has Lakefront Terrace tions. Whether focusing on a single developed an experimental work, a specific artist or on multiple curatorial practice in collaboration Looking for fantastic deals on art exhibitions, guest presenters draw Megan Toye with artists. She is interested in how books and exhibition catalogues? provocative connections between exhibitions and texts perform to Join us on our terrace for our third annual Canada Day Book Sale. Rain our programs and broader cultural August create unique interpretative and intellectual debates. experiences and in enacting or shine, come down to the Megan Toye & activisms from within an institutional lakefront for unbeatable prices not framework. only on the gallery’s own publica- July Valerie Velardo tions but on a wide array of titles Sunday, 5 August, 2 pm featured in our Shop during past Gina Badger exhibitions. The deep discounts are up to 75% off! 2 Sunday, 8 July, 2 pm Megan Toye is currently completing her ma in Art History at McGill Gina Badger is an artist and writer University in Montreal, where her Live We are pleased to welcome Toronto working in the expanded field of research interests include embodied mariachi band Mariachi Fuego for a and installation. She has spectatorship, empathy and the Mariachi Fuego series of performances this summer. presented her work internationally ethics and politics of viewership. She Composed of veteran mariachi and has recently published in the has previously worked as a curatorial Sunday, 1 July, 3–4 pm musicians from the GTA, Mariachi journals No More Potlucks, assistant at the Alternator Centre for Saturday, 4 August, 6 – 7 pm Sunday, 26 August, 5–6 pm Fuego offers a refreshing twist to all Scapegoat and Public, and in the Contemporary Art in Kelowna. Rodrigo Martí their performances while maintain- book Intellectual Birdhouse: Artistic Valerie Velardo has an Honours BA in The Power Plant ing a high degree of respect in their Practice as Research. Currently the Media Information and Technoculture Lakefront Terrace execution of traditional mariachi editorial director of FUSE Magazine, (mit) from the University of Western Rodrigo Martí free repertoire. They will perform in Badger holds an MS in Visual Ontario, London, and is currently Sunday, 19 August, 2 pm relationship to Reece Terris’ project Studies from the Massachusetts completing her ma at Ryerson and 1 for Tools for Conviviality Institute of Technology. York Universities in Toronto where Rodrigo Martí is a Mexican-Canadian she focuses on curatorial theory and Artists’ Tour artist working between sculpture, avant-garde, modern and contem- The Power Plant performance and drawing whose Tools for Conviviality porary art. Both are Curatorial Animateurs practice looks at and involves itself Interns at The Power Plant. in the cultural and aesthetic Saturday, 30 June, 2 pm Sunday, 15 July, 2 pm dimensions of political struggle. He is currently working on the The Power Plant The Power Plant’s trained Anima- Barricade , a collaborative free teurs lead a tour of the current Sculpture Workshop participatory sculpture that exhibition Tools for Conviviality. expresses and embodies collective Curator & Head of Programs power. Martí received his mfa in Melanie O’Brian introduces this Public Practice from Otis College of gallery tour of Tools for Conviviality Art and Design in Los Angeles. led by participating artists Abbas Akhavan and Kyla Mallett. This is a unique opportunity for all visitors to meet the artists and to hear them talk about their work first-hand in Valerie Velardo the context of the exhibition. 3 Summer programs and events Primary Education Sponsor 11

July – August July – August

BMO Geoffrey Farmer’s Useless Tools Field Trip Film Figure Walking Tour with Jonathan Schwartz Power Kids Sunday, 15 July, 3 – 5 pm Kerry Potts and The Skies Can’t Keep Sunday, 1 July, 3 – 5 pm The Power Plant This workshop is influenced by the Sunday, 12 August, 3 – 5 pm Don Jabokwoam Their Secrets FREE current group exhibition Tools for Visit thepowerplant.org or call 416.973.4949 Conviviality, and will teach partici- Sunday, 22 July, 2 pm Wednesday, 15 August, 7 pm Offering the gallery as a site for social to reserve a spot. pants the processes of product engagement, artist Geoffrey Farmer development and simple tool-mak- The Power Plant TIFF Bell Lightbox, Reitman These workshops are designed has developed a new interactive ing. Exploring what makes a tool FREE Square, 350 King Street West for children ages 8 – 12 and their installation for Tools for Conviviality. useful – or a hindrance – kids will first FREE 6 Through props, costumes and other younger siblings and adult compan- develop a series of simple concept Using Raymond Boisjoly’s new ions. Parents are expected to join materials, Farmer proposes a project drawings for their “model tool.” The outdoor text-based work, captured Jonathan Schwartz is a young 1/3 Series and the Canadian premiere their children in all activities. that reinterprets Victor Hugo’s 1831 group will also discuss what makes speech writing back: Toronto, as a American experimental filmmaker of his new filmIf the War Continues. novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. tools either useful or useless, and jumping-off point, special guests who has crafted a body of short, Schwartz will be present at the BMO Power Kids participants have the how the quality of usefulness relates Kerry Potts and Don Jabokwoam lyrical 16mm films over the past screening and full program details chance to activate this work by to the field of contemporary art. will situate The Power Plant, the decade. Working with the legacies are available at thepowerplant.org. adding to and transforming a large Based on these drawings, partici- greater Harbourfront area and of anthropological and observation- Jonathan Schwartz lives in Giacometti-like sculptural figure over pants will then create a finished Toronto within its Aboriginal al non-fiction cinema, Schwartz Brattleboro, Vermont, and has the course of the exhibition. The prototype using artistic and simple histories through this afternoon makes the camera a catalyst for a worked as assistant professor at figure, standing in the light of the household and found materials. At walking tour. transformed dynamic between the Keene State College in New Rose Window, will be shaped by the end of the workshop, each child Kerry Potts is a recognized leader figure behind the camera and those Hampshire since 2009. His films have children who will attach elements and will have a “useless tool” prototype to in Aboriginal arts, including in front. Turning his camera on the screened internationally at venues materials guided by workshops based take home. establishing programming and people and places around him, ranging from TIFF, the New York Film on the Jewish folklore character of training for youth and guest-speak- Schwartz captures jewel-like Festival and the International Film the Golem. 2012 power kids sponsor ing at numerous events. She fragments of gesture, light and colour Festival Rotterdam to the Museo 4 received her MA from the University that he then meticulously assembles Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, of Toronto in Sociology and Equity alongside sounds collected as field Madrid, Wexner Center for the Arts, Studies and currently serves as recordings, creating films of great Columbus, Ohio and The Institute of In Conversation …from the Transit Bar (1994 – 95). Chair of the Board of the Images beauty and feeling. Contemporary Art/Boston. Artists and Ihor Holubizky is Senior Curator at Festival. Don Jabokwoam is a Co-presented with TIFF’s The Free Vera Frenkel & the McMaster Museum of Art in Peacekeeper at the Native Canadian Screen series, this program includes co-presented with Curators Ihor Holubizky Hamilton, and has held a number of Centre of Toronto. He has led many three films made between 2008 and curatorial positions in Australia and walking tours focusing on the 2011 that exemplify Schwartz’s THE POWER PLANT Wednesday, 11 July, 7 pm Canada including Curator at The Aboriginal histories of Toronto. exacting vision, bookended by his 33 free Power Plant from 1987 – 88 where he The gallery will be open until 9 PM and Vera Frenkel is one of Canada’s worked with artists such as Geneviève New Publication a cash bar will be available. most influential and respected art- Cadieux, Brian Groombridge, Antoni

ists, working in video, audio, new Muntadas, and Jana Sterbak. Kerry Tribe: Former curators at The Power Plant Kerry Tribe Curator at the , Speak, Memory media, installation, photography, engage in a series of conversations London, and Eli Horwatt, a PhD drawing, and writing in a practice Speak, Memory with key artists who have exhibited candidate in Cinema & Media Studies that interrogates abuses of power at the gallery over the past twenty- at York University, Toronto. The sec- and their consequences. Her work $15 / $12.75 Members five years. They will discuss aspects Purchase now online at ond in our series of readers entitled has been exhibited internationally of Toronto’s art history, past, present thepowerplant.org/shop. The Power Plant Pages, the publica- and was included in The Power and future, including transformations tion also features documentation of Plant’s inaugural exhibition Toronto: to artists’ practices and to institu- The publication accompanying our the exhibition and an introduction A Play of History (1987) and the tional and curatorial models. Spring 2012 exhibition Kerry Tribe: by Curator Melanie O’Brian. reconstruction of her IX Speak, Memory includes newly com- Editor: Melanie O’Brian 5 installation shown in Vera Frenkel: missioned texts by , Designer: Sameer Farooq, New Ink Power Plant Pages MEMBERSHIP 13

Upcoming Member Events

for all levels of membership For Inside Track, International Patrons and Members-Only Members-Only Circle of Supporters Members Viewing of The Clock Exhibition Viewing Curator’s Tour Tuesday, 3 July, 6 – 8 pm Friday, 14 September, 2 – 5 pm Tuesday, 10 July, 6 – 7 pm Tools for Conviviality The Power Plant is pleased to offer Tools for Conviviality Tour led by cheyanne turions our Members the exclusive op- With Melanie O’Brian Dissenting Histories: 25 Years of The portunity to view the fall exhibition Power Plant of Christian Marclay’s The Clock in Talk by Dave Dyment advance of its opening to the public. Inside Track: Private Members can see this outstanding Collection Tour 7 work before the crowds rush in on its Art After Hours TBD opening day. Members’ Weekend Mornings Wednesday, 22 August, 6 – 8 pm 25th Anniversary The Power Plant Board of Directors The Power The Power Plant will extend its week- Member Paul Marks will provide Inside Extended Benetfits end hours on Saturday and Sunday to The summer feature presentation will Track and above level Members an of Membership open at 10 AM for Members only. The be the performance Water Banquet opportunity to view his private collection. In celebration of the 25th anniversary, gallery will open to the public at noon. by Tools for Conviviality artist Swintak The Power Plant has reinvigorated with Jiva MacKay. This special event Members of The Power Plant form the Membership program to bring International Lecture Series — is open to all Members and a guest. Free guest admission an amazing community of artists, our Members more exclusive access The 2012 – 13 International Lecture curators, collectors, and art enthusi- to contemporary art. New benefits Series program will increase the The Power Plant is very grateful to the following Institutional Supporters: asts. Join this passionate network have been added that are open to all number of yearly lectures. The series of supporters and become an insider. levels of Membership. These extend- will remain FREE for all Members Major Supporters ALL YEAR ALL FREE Power Players Talk one-on-one with artists at ed benefits increase the number of who are invited to bring a guest, for gallery events and programs, receive Member-only events. It is with great FREE, to TWO of the 2012 – 13 lectures. invitations to exclusive events and pleasure that we offer the following rich programming, receive the most new benefits: FREE Exhibition Catalogue up-to-the-minute gallery news Each Member will receive a compli- with Support from Members-only first, and make new friends who share Exhibition Viewings mentary catalogue of your choice, your interest in contemporary art. Evening exhibition viewings will which can be redeemed at any time A Membership directly supports be open to all Members and will take during the year. 25th Anniversary Media Partner artists and the opportunities they place once per season during the Artforum Subscriptions have to develop and present their opening week of each exhibition. The Members will receive a 15% discount work to our audiences. complimentary reception will feature on Artforum yearly subscriptions. Primary Education Sponsor 2012 power kids sponsor a speaker who will give a guided tour of the gallery. You can join The Power Plant for Art After Hours as little as $30, or enjoy the addi- Official Travel Sponsor Each season, all Members are invited tional benefits of Membership at a to bring one guest to this exclusive higher level for exclusive oppor- reception, when the gallery will tunities to engage with the best of feature a special presentation or pro- contemporary art at international gram that reflects Toronto’s cultural art events and private gallery tours. image credits 1. Abbas Akhavan, detail from Makeshift Objects, 3. Mariachi Fuego 6. Jonathan Schwartz, still from Happy Birthday, diversity. Visit thepowerplant.org to learn 2008 – 12. Courtesy the artist and The Third 4. Power Kids, Spring 2012 2010. Courtesy the artist. about membership levels and to Line, Dubai. 5. Installation view: Vera Frenkel: …from the 7. Exhibition opening, Spring 2012 join now. 2. Book Sale, Summer 2011. Transit Bar, The Power Plant, 1994–95. Celebrating 25 years of the best in contemporary art. all year, all free

INFORMATION +1.416.973.4949 [email protected] with Support from thepowerplant.org

gallery hours Tuesday – Friday 12 – 6 PM 25th Anniversary Saturday – Sunday 12 – 8 PM Media Partner Open holiday Mondays

LOCATION 231 Queens Quay West Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 2G8 LOW YOR B FRONT ST. ST. AY K E ST. convention S R centre I M

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harbourfront centre

Please note: A new underground parking facility is now open, conveniently located directly in front of the gallery at the foot of Queens Quay West and Lower Simcoe Street. The east entrance to the gallery is still inaccessible due to ongoing construction but guests can enter on the west side of the building. To arrive by TTC, take the 509 streetcar (Exhibition/Union Station) or the 510 streetcar (Spadina Station/Union Station) to Lower Simcoe Street.