Events and Exhibitions
RENDEZVOUS WITH MADNESS FILM FESTIVAL
EXHIBITIONS
Between the Temporal and the Eternal Falls the Shadow
Workman Arts, Lower Hall651 Dufferin St
Opening Reception: Monday November 7th, 5:00pm
The installation Between the Temporal and the Eternal Falls the Shadow explores the potential for architecture to reveal beauty and communicate meaning through the simple but powerful use of light, shadow and reflection; elements which characteristically serve to animate architecture. Further, this work asks the questions: how do we form connections with the complex life of a piece of architecture? What is the nature of our mind and body’s encounter with architecture as it unfolds in time?
Since our conceptions and feelings are rooted in the past, our sensuous connections with the built environment are intimately tied to the process of remembering. The work at the overlap of memories, experiences and expectations that simultaneously affect us as we move through space; celebrating the richness of this phenomenon.
The Patient-Built Wall at CAMH is posited as a container for movement and memory, a facilitator for the past coming to bear on the present, and its reflection into the future. The work attempts to reveal how the existence of the Wall connect us emotionally and physically to a significant part of Toronto’s history--allowing us the opportunity to reflect upon issues surrounding mental illness, while appreciating the beauty that is expressed through the life of a built form.
Artist’s Bio:
Raja Moussaoui graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Masters of Architecture, and works as a designer in Toronto. Raja’s recent article entitled Breathing Life Into the City, was published in The Woman’s Post. She recently received an OAC grant for a collaborative multi-media installation entitled Intersections.
Being Scene - 11th Annual Juried Art Exhibition
Group Exhibition
Workman Arts 651 Dufferin Street
Opening Reception: Monday November 7th, 5:00pm-7:00pm
This annual juried exhibition showcases the work of artists that have lived experience with mental illness and addiction and presents a cross-cultural portrait of the healing power of art. This year Being Scene celebrates its 11th anniversary and we are excited to continue taking the exhibition out into the community. Being Scene opened for public viewing at Hart House at the University of Toronto from June 1st through August 1st and next moved to the Gladstone Hotel on Queen Street West from August 4th through October 10th. Three separate receptions and free daily public access at these two prestigious cultural venues have generated considerable exposure and sales for thirty-eight participating artists. Being Scene will be on display in the Workman Arts Theatre at 651 Dufferin for the duration of our 19th Annual Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival.
Asylum
Installation
Workman Arts
651 Dufferin Street
Opening Reception: Monday November 7th, 5:00pm-7:00pm
Asylum is a collaboration between the artists of Workman Arts and the Jeremiah Community (St Anne’s Church) and realized through partnerships with CAMH, Trinity Square Video, VTape, and Images Festival. This project was originally presented as an independent project for Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2011, Toronto's sixth annual, sunset-to-sunrise celebration of contemporary art. For that event Asylum was installed throughout the interior of St Anne’s Byzantine revival church at 270 Gladstone Ave, amongst murals created in 1923 by Toronto artists including members of the Group of Seven. The project will be remounted at Workman Arts during the 19th annual Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival. Experimental media inspired by the concept of asylum will be projected throughout various public spaces within Workman Arts. An original soundscape of music and sound poetry will accompany the projections to create an immersive environment.
Perspective Periphery Perception
Group Exhibition
Workman Arts651 Dufferin Street
Opening Reception: Monday November 7th, 5:00pm-7:00pm
Perspective Periphery Perception is a digital media project originally presented on the Onestop TTC screens for World Mental Health Day. The project played once every ten minutes, all day long for 10 days, October 7th – October 16th, reaching an audience of 1.3 million daily commuters.
Eleven participating artists each present a triptych of works exploring the concepts and interrelation of perspective, periphery, and perception as related to issues of mental health.
In the very public milieu of the subway platform these works juxtaposed the public and private perspective to contrast the view within oneself, looking out and the view from outside oneself, looking in. The artists interpret our capacity to view ourselves and others. Other works express feelings of being invisible, of being “the other,” or on the periphery of perception. Still other works explore ideas related to perception and how mood, state of mind, mental health, and perspective can affect perception. Participating artists aim to change perceptions of mental health in both the public eye as well as individually, privately.
What is a smart girl like me doing in places like these?
Stephanie CreedeT.A.N. Coffee
992 Queen Street West
Opening Reception: Saturday November 5th 2pm-4pm
Family history of addiction? Nope. Abuse (physical, mental or sexual). Nope. Unloving relatives? Nope. Poor education? Poverty? Nope, nope, and nope to any other stereotype you might have in mind.
I had (and still do have) it really good. I grew up with the most loving family anyone could ask for, who I'm glad to say is still my backbone, trusting and supportive of me despite my behaviour. Honour roll grades all the way through high school and university. However, somewhere in my twenties, I jumped from talented wunderkind to 100%, dyed-in-the-wool addict, and this happened in a short matter of months... I went from "Okay, I'll have a few extra on my birthday...; if everyone's dying to buy me shots,” to "I can't get through the day without it" in an incredibly short time.
The basic thing I need to keep in mind (and I hope everyone else suffering with this problem does as well) is that this could kill me, and I don't want to die. I want to be well.
This series of pieces shows my journey through this work, and hopefully, my triumphant passage through it.
Artist Bio:
Stephanie Creede has been making art from before she could form a coherent sentence, (at least that's what her babysitters from that time keep telling her.) She is a graduate of both U of T's Art History as well as Fine Art (Visual Studies and Culture) program and is thrilled to be a member of Workman arts for 2 years and counting.
“I have met so many wonderful people along my journeys here, and cannot say enough wonderful things about those individuals who have so enriched my life. Thank you for all that you have given me, and for such a glance at what the future holds.”
GALAS AND RECEPTIONS
Rendezvous with Madness Opening Night Gala
Sisters & BrothersFriday November 4, 2011 5:30pm-6:30pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox
Reitman Square
350 King St W
Join us at the Bell Lightbox Blackberry Lounge for a wine a cheese
reception to kick of the 19th Annual Rendezvous with madness Film
Festival. Cash bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres.
Wee Requiems Reception
Sunday November 6, 2011 6:30pm – 7:00pmWorkman Arts
651 Dufferin St
Join us for cash bar and light refreshments before our evening
program.
Opening Reception for Exhibitions
Monday November 7, 2011 5pm-7pmWorkman Arts
651 Dufferin St
Join us for the official opening reception of exhibitions and
installations for the 19th Annual Rendezvous with Madness Film
Festival. CAMH Friends of the Archives and Workman Arts co-present
Between the Temporal and the Eternal Falls the Shadow by Raja
Moussaoui (Lower Hall). In addition Workman Arts present Being
Scene 11th Annual Juried Exhibition (Theatre), Asylum
Experimental Media Installation (Public Spaces), and
Perspective Periphery Perception (Box Office). Cash bar and
complimentary non-alcoholic refreshments and hors d’oeuvres
sponsored in part by Friends of the Archives.
We’ll Get Used To It Reception
Tuesday November 8, 2011 5pm-7pmWorkman Arts
651 Dufferin St
Join us for a delicious buffet dinner catered by the Iranian Women’s
Organization of Ontario prior to the screening of We’ll Get Used To It.
Portrayals of Suicide: Shifting the Lens Reception
Tuesday November 8, 2011 7pm-7pmNFB Mediatheque
150 John St
Join us for Sushi and refreshments while you experience a special
interactive installation prior to the evening’s screening.
Bi-Polar Buddha Reception
Wednesday November 9, 2011 9pmEnjoy food and drink in a comedy club atmosphere immediately
following the show. Cash bar.
Rendezvous with Madness Closing Night Gala:
Carnivale of the MindSaturday November 12, 2011 9:30pm-midnight
A gala party to close the 19th Annual Rendezvous with Madness Film
Festival will follow Dr. Ballon’s Lens of Illusion. The Workman Theatre
will be transformed into a carnival of the mind with midway
refreshments, buskers, sideshow amusements, and flim flam. Cash
bar and complimentary snacks.
***Join us for conversation and cash bar in the Blackberry Lounge following all screenings at the TIFF Bell Lightbox!
