Ryerson Image Centre official launch, 2012 © Clifton Li, Ryerson Image Centre
Ryerson Image Centre opens with a flourish: inaugural exhibitions now on view to the public
Oct. 1, 2012
The Ryerson Image Centre officially opened to the public with a spectacular display of light, colour, and photography-related art. On Saturday night, more than 3,500 people came to see the Ryerson Image Centre's inaugural exhibitions and program the lights on the exterior of the building from their smart phones.
The Ryerson Image Centre is presenting two inaugural exhibitions of original photography, film, and installation work. Archival Dialogues: Reading the Black Star Collection presents groundbreaking work by some of Canada’s foremost professional contemporary artists, including Stephen Andrews, Christina Battle, Marie-Hélène Cousineau, Stan Douglas, Vera Frenkel, Vid Ingelevics, David Rokeby and Michael Snow, commissioned for the Ryerson Image Centre’s grand opening exhibition by curators Doina Popescu, Director of the Ryerson Image Centre, and Peggy Gale. At the same time, emerging artists associated with Ryerson University’s School of Image Arts are the spotlight of the second exhibition, The Art of the Archive, curated by Gaëlle Morel, Exhibitions Curator at the RIC. Both exhibitions are now on view until December 16, 2012. Admission is free.
In addition to public gallery exhibitions, the Ryerson Image Centre will present tours, panel discussions, curator talks and other events.
Curator and Artist Talk-Tours offer an opportunity to explore the exhibitions and gain insights directly from the curators and exhibition artists. A Curator and Artist Talk-Tour will take place on Wednesday, October 17 with Dr. Gaëlle Morel, curator of The Art of the Archive; and Saturdays, October 27 and November 24 with Doina Popescu and Peggy Gale, co-curators of Archival Dialogues: Reading the Black Star Collection, along with exhibition artists.
Noon Time Collection Talks, presented by the Ryerson Image Centre’s Research Centre, each focus on a different topic related to the vast photography collection at the RIC. In addition to the famous Black Star Collection of approximately 292,000 black and white photographs that trace the social and political history of the 20th Century, the Ryerson Image Centre’s collection includes fine art photography and a growing number of artist archives, including those of Wendy Snyder MacNeil, Jo Spence and Werner Wolff. Noon Time Talks are one hour in duration starting at 12:00 p.m., and will take place on October 18 and November 22.
Panel Discussions offer fascinating discussions of contemporary issues, exhibition themes, and individual artist’s work, with leading experts including journalists, curators, scholars, and artists. A Panel Discussion about Archival Dialogues, with Peggy Gale, co-curator of Archival Dialogues; Dot Tuer, writer, cultural theorist, historian, and professor at OCADU; and Jennifer Allen, art critic and editor of Frieze d/e will take place on Saturday, November 10.
Inaugural Exhibitions
Archival Dialogues: Reading the Black Star Collection
On view until December 16, 2012
The Ryerson Image Centre's grand opening exhibition features new works by Stephen Andrews, Christina Battle, Marie-Hélène Cousineau, Stan Douglas, Vera Frenkel, Vid Ingelevics, David Rokeby and Michael Snow, specially commissioned for the grand opening of the Ryerson Image Centre. Each artist has created new, multidisciplinary work inspired by Ryerson University’s prestigious Black Star Collection, the legendary photojournalism archive of more than 292,000 black and white photographs that trace the social and political history of the 20th Century.
Curated by Doina Popescu and Peggy Gale.
The Art of the Archive
On view until December 16, 2012
Ryerson University students and recent alumni investigate time, memory and history through photographic and video images. Artists include Alyssa Bistonath, Kyle Brohman, Julia Callon, Jenna Edwards, Tara Ernst, Daniel Froidevaux, Elisa Gilmour, Ben Lenzner, Marc Losier, Eugen Sakhnenko, Kate Tarini, and Andrew Williamson.
Curated by Dr. Gaëlle Morel.
Public Programs
Curator and Artist Talk-Tour
Wednesday, October 17, 6pm
Dr. Gaëlle Morel, curator of The Art of the Archive, and exhibition artists Elisa Gilmour, Alyssa Bistonath, Daniel Froidevaux, and Eugen Sakhnenko.
Noon Time Collection Talk: The Black Star Agency and Life Magazine
Thursday, October 18, 12pm
Dr. Thierry Gervais, School of Image Arts Assistant Professor and Ryerson Image Centre Head of Research.
Curator and Artist Talk-Tour
Saturday, October 27, 2pm
Doina Popescu and Peggy Gale, co-curators of Archival Dialogues, and exhibition artists.
Panel Discussion
Archival Dialogues: Reading the Black Star Collection
Saturday, November 10, 1pm
Peggy Gale, co-curator of Archival Dialogues; Dot Tuer, writer, cultural theorist, historian, and professor at OCADU; and Jennifer Allen, art critic and editor of Frieze d/e.
Noon Time Collection Talk: Berenice Abbott: Paris and New York
Thursday, November 22, 12pm
Dr. Gaëlle Morel, Ryerson Image Centre Exhibitions Curator
Curator and Artist Talk-Tour
Saturday, November 24, 2pm
Doina Popescu and Peggy Gale, co-curators of Archival Dialogues, and exhibition artists.