Worldings: A Virtual Conference
July 4, 9, 10 & 11, 2021
For full information please visit Griffin’s website: https://www.griffinartprojects.ca/events/worldings-a-virtual-conference
Presented by Griffin Art Projects and Urban Shaman, Worldings: A Virtual Conference brings together a weekend of collaborative panels facilitated over Zoom exploring the unique artis- tic perspectives and histories that exist in Canadian and South African experience as seen through the eyes of artists, writers, curators and activists. Coinciding with the presentation of the solo exhibition William Kentridge: The Colander, curated by Lisa Baldissera.
Collaborative supporters include the BAG Factory, a non-profit contemporary visual art organisation in Newtown, Johannesburg, The Centre for the Less Good Idea, an experimen- tal and collaborative arts organization founded by William Kentridge, and the University of Regina’s Department of Media, Art and Performance.
Griffin Art Projects is a non-profit art residency and gallery located in North Vancouver devoted to supporting artists in the production of new work through its residency program, and in creating new research on contemporary Canadian and international art, artists and art collections from around the world in its exhibition program. GRIFFIN is a non-collecting institution that has quickly become a vibrant contributor to the North Vancouver cultural landscape and visual art practices in the region through its exhibitions, residency, and public programs. Griffin Art Projects’ exhibitions and events are always free and open to all to attend.
Griffin Art Projects is situated on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the səl̓ilwətaɁɬtəməxw (Tsleil-Waututh), Skwxwú7mesh-ulh Temíx̱w (Squamish), šx- wməθkwəy̓əmaɁɬ təməxw (Musqueam), and S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō) Nations. We are honoured and grateful to undertake our work here.
Urban Shaman is an Aboriginal artist-run centre dedicated to meeting the needs of artists by providing a vehicle for artistic expression in all disciplines and at all levels by taking a leadership role in the cultivation of Indigenous art. Urban Shaman is a nationally recog- nized leader in Aboriginal arts programming and one of the foremost venues and voices for Aboriginal art in Canada. Our focus on developing new programming and new ways of presenting it have resulted in increased exposure and the expansion of our activities. Urban Shaman is dedicated to the Aboriginal arts community and arts community at large. Urban Shaman is dedicated to contributing to art historical and cultural critical discourses on a local, national, and international level and facilitating artistic production, education, and appreciation of contemporary art as an important and empowering tool for Aboriginal peoples.
Urban Shaman acknowledges that we are gathered on ancestral lands, on Treaty One Terri- tory. These lands are the heartland of the Metis people. We acknowledge that our water is sourced from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation.
Online Registration:
Preview Event | Sunday, July 4, 2021
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_B6jtO7TUT52X-a0qT5JS6Q
All Three Conference Days | July 9-11, 2021
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wF01PEH9Thu2-7oy3iaGdg
Event details for publication:
Conference Dates: July 4, 9, 10, 11, 2021
Contact info: info@griffinartprojects.ca
Website & Program Descriptions: https://www.griffinartprojects.ca/events/worldings-a-virtual-conference
Media Kit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qj0YIzU5UoCi1Cpg_G-Xf4jGH1CyH- qbV?usp=sharing
(604) 985-0136
NOTE Schedule time is (PST)
Sunday, July 4
11–11:10am(PST), Spotlight one
11:10am–12:25pm, Preview event: Imperfect Constellations | Moderator: Karen Tam | Speakers: Dr. Marissa Largo, Pamila Matharu, Moridja Kitenge Banza and Jen Sungshine and David Ng of Love Intersections | Respondent: Usha Seejarim This panel brings together a group of artists and cultural producers engaging with key themes of resilience and resistance from a BIPOC settler perspective.
Friday, July 9
9–9:30am(PST), Introductory remarks
9:35–10:50am, Indigenous Public Art: Places, Histories, and Truths | Moderator: Dr. Andrea Walsh | Speakers: Ryan Rice and Carey Newman
This panel considers the nuances and challenges around creating public art at a time when movements such as LAND BACK, the TRC and the MMIWG Commissions stand powerfully as forces against narrow readings and the direct drawing of lines between art and reconciliation.
11:10am–12:25pm, The Colour Black | Moderator: Usha Seejarim | Speakers: Gcotyelwa Mashiqa, Nkgopoleng Moloi, Law- rence Lemaoana
Panelists include Gcotyelwa Mashiqa, who will share key concepts of her recently curated exhibition Black Luminosity, Law- rence Lemaoana, who will share examples of his artistic work questioning the relationship between media and the people
of South Africa, and Nkgopoleng Moloi who will share her research into how colour has been employed by Black artists as a critical component of artistic practice.
12:30–1:30pm, Q/A & group discussion
1:30–1:45pm, Closing
Saturday, July 10
9–9:15am(PST), Welcome
9:15–10:30am, The Collapse: Creative Liberation of Collective Making | Moderated by Phala O. Phala and Bronwyn Lace of The Centre for the Less Good Idea | Speakers: Tony Bonani Miyambo, Khayelihle Dominique, Vusi Mdoyi, Bongile Le- coge-Zulu
In this panel The Centre for the Less Good Idea shares its creative processes from a selection of works exploring historical vio- lence, erasure and omission. Conversation will centre on the notion of ‘collapse’, the generative disintegration of first ideas in the process of making, and the virtues of ‘collapse’ towards future ideas and peripheral perspectives.
10:30–10:40am, Spotlight two
11am–12:15pm, The Rhythm of Homing | Moderator: David Garneau | Speakers: Zab Maboungou and Diane Roberts
Rather than engage the colonial-centric practice of decolonization, panelists will describe their explorations of non-colonial practices, especially those indigenous to the Great Plains of Turtle Island, the Caribbean, and Africa. Conversation will focus on the experience of bodies in motion, the complexity of home and homing, and extra-rational ways of knowing.
12:20–1:20pm, Q/A & group discussion
1:20–1:35pm, Closing
Sunday, July 11
9–9:15am(PST), Welcome
9:15–10:30am, Bag Factory: 30 Years of Collective Imagination | Moderated by Candice Allison of BAG Factory | Speakers: Kagiso Patrick Mautloa, Thembinkosi Goniwe, Fadzai Muchemwa
This discussion will explore the early vision and ethos of the artists who founded the Bag Factory, its resilient position in the urban context of Johannesburg, as well as an overview of current projects and initiatives.
10:30–10:40am, Spotlight three
11am–12:15pm, Mide-wigwas: Birchbark Scrolls | Moderated by Daina Warren of Urban Shaman | Speakers: Jessica Jacob- son-Konefall and Angelina Mcleod
Daina Warren in conversation with Jessica Jacobson-Konefall and Angelina Mcleod will discuss Mide-wigwas: Transmediating, an exhibit that explores how Anishinaabe peoples are reclaiming history and culture.
12:20–1:20pm PST, Q/A & group discussion
1:20–1:35pm PST, Closing
For full information please visit Griffin’s website: https://www.griffinartprojects.ca/events/worldings-a-virtual-conference
