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28/4/2010

Contact Photography Festival

Different Venues, Toronto

Exploring the social and political consequences of the medium of photography, in a world devoted to the image.
As technology evolves we witness the transformation of photography alongside the shifting social, political and cultural events of our times. In this era of instant information the image is stimulating unprecedented change in the way we communicate.

In 1964 Marshall McLuhan wrote of the photograph as “the brothel without walls”. He described photographs as “dreams that money can buy” which could be “hugged and thumbed more easily than public prostitutes.” If we consider his metaphor within today’s global culture rife with image saturation, is the illusion images create now preferable to reality? Has the authority of the photograph been enhanced over time? Does it command our choices and grow stronger as the technology evolves? Or is photography losing its power to communicate ideas? Is its ability to convey meaning now diluted by the widespread dissemination of images?

CONTACT 2010 will consider the ways in which photography informs and transforms human behavior. The festival will recognize the influence of Marshall McLuhan, on the 30th anniversary year of his death. We will present images that examine connections between mass media, advertising, art and photography. This includes conceptual approaches to photography that utilize the codes of advertising, the language of consumerism, the stylization of marketing campaigns and the force of propaganda. Photojournalism and socially concerned documentary photography will provide a realist-based examination of the emotional and political impact of images and their effect on society and culture. CONTACT 2010 will explore the personal and social consequences of the medium of photography, in a world devoted to the image.

CONTACT is an annual month long festival of photography with over 1000 local, national and international artists at more than 200 venues across the Greater Toronto Area in May. Founded as a not-for-profit organization 14 years ago, CONTACT is devoted to celebrating, and fostering an appreciation of the art and profession of photography. As the largest photography event in the world, and a premiere cultural event in Toronto, CONTACT stimulates excitement and discussion among a diverse audience that has grown to over 1.5 million and is focused on cultivating even greater interest and participation this year.

The festival's success, to a great degree, is a result of the open call for exhibitions and this continues to provide an invaluable opportunity for emerging artists to contribute unexpected and memorable encounters with photography throughout the city, alongside leading professionals. Since 2002, curated programming and special events are a central focus of development. This includes our primary exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art and the University of Toronto Art Centre, high-profile public installations, feature exhibitions, an international lecture series, a film program in partnership with TVO, portfolio reviews and workshops. Through the ongoing development of the festival into a leading proponent of photography, we increase exposure and recognition for local, Canadian and international artists. CONTACT is committed to advancing knowledge, creativity and innovation in photography.

We are very grateful for the continued support of Scotiabank, Tourism Toronto, BMW Group Canada, TVO, Fashion Television, Vistek, Torys LLP, Pattison Sign Group, Sony of Canada LTD., Heineken, Transcontinental PLM, Toronto Life, The Gladstone Hotel, The Drake Hotel, Thompson Hotels, 3M Canada, Genstar and Beyond Digital Imaging. CONTACT gratefully acknowledges the support of the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan, Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council and the City of Toronto through Toronto Arts Council.

Our gratitude goes out to everyone involved in CONTACT 2010, including venues, funding agencies, corporate sponsors, advertisers, education and exhibition partners, CONTACT's board of directors, staff and volunteers and, especially, all the artists and photographers whose vision helps us better understand our world.

Public Installations
Site specific installations explore the codes of advertising, the language of consumerism, the stylization of marketing campaigns and the force of propaganda in the urban landscape.

Barbara Kruger
Art Gallery of Ontario
May 1–August 30, 2010

Thomas Hank Willis
Billboards
April 27–May 31, 2010

Doyon-Rivest Doyon
Brookfield PlaceMay
May 1–31, 2010

David LaChapelle
Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art Courtyard
May 1–31, 2010

Olaf Breuning
The Powerplant Contemporary Art Gallery, South Facade
May 1–September 12, 2010

Penelope Umbrico
Toronto Pearson International Airport, Terminal 1
May 1–31, 2010

What's the Hype?
Cecilia Berkovic, Toni Hafkenscheid, Chris Ironside, Suzy Lake, Lori Newdick, Holly Norris, Nancy Paiva, Geoffrey Pugen, Christos Tsirbas
TTC Subway Stations with Screens
May 1–31, 2010

Info. Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival
80 Spadina Avenue, Suite 310 Toronto, Canada M5V 2J4 T 416-539-9595 F 416-539-0829 info@scotiabankcontactphoto.com

Image: Clunie Reid, Detail, Take No Photographs, Leave Only Ripples, 2009 (detail)
Courtesy of MOT International, Copyright Clunie Reid

Communications and Pr NKPR Inc.
Bunmi Adeoye, Account Manager T: 416.365.3630 x 26 E: bunmi@nkpr.net

Opening 29 April 2010

Different venues, Toronto

stampa

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