WHY THIS PROJECT MATTERS
In our project we endeavor to trace the history of artist
generated galleries and collectives that operated as alternative exhibition
venues in Toronto from the late 1980’s to present day. And show, over the
course of several short videos, how a movement that started as a group of
renegade artist collectives exhibiting their work in temporary spaces
eventually evolved into the sustainable artist collective galleries we are
familiar with today.
It’s important to document this period in Toronto’s art
history when there was an explosion of artists coming on to the scene and a
shortage of opportunities and venues to show their work.
This moment was exceptional because of the sheer number of
artists who embraced the DIY ethos to work together to create collectives and exhibitions
that took place outside of the scope of the existing gallery and museum
institutions.
These artists were not content to wait for galleries
curators and institutions to recognize them – instead they created their own art
scene. These are stories of passion, hope, imagination, ambition,
industriousness and determination.
And nobody is documenting this. If it’s not being
recognized by an institution or museum, then in a historical sense, it fails to
exist. This project’s purpose is to make sure that these initiatives by artists
are documented, celebrated and recognized as the forerunners of the visual arts
scene we know today.
HERE’S WHAT YOUR CONTRIBUTION WILL HELP US ACHIEVE
Your contribution will ensure that this history isn’t lost. This series
of documentaries will inform and hopefully inspire future artists to create
their own opportunities when none may appear to exist.
This project can be used as a teaching reference for instructors in art
schools wishing to explore alternative means of cultural production.
We hope this project offers an example to other artists/curators/researchers
in other Canadian cities to start to document their own independent art scenes.
HOW MUCH FUNDING IS NEEDED AND HOW IT WILL BE SPENT
The project consists of video taped interviews with
members of the various collectives telling their own story in conjunction with
archival photos and press clippings from the day. Our aim is to secure $40,000
to complete the remaining 22 documentaries of this project.
The funds will
be used for:
- Additional research
- The creation of supplemental footage,
- To pay for an editor to edit this footage down into a succinct final story
- And to have a composer provide music and sound design.
Each artist collective
will have its own 5-minute (approx.) film based on their history and projects.
It’s important to note that Richard and David have donated their time and
labour 100% for free and will continue to do so throughout the completion of
the project.
If we don’t reach our funding goal of $40,000, we will use the existing
funds to complete as much of the documentary series as we can.
ABOUT THE MAKERS OF THIS PROJECT
Richard Mongiat and David Sylvestre were very much part of
the alternative visual arts scene that they are documenting. Richard founded Loop Gallery (with artist Catherine Beaudette). David was one of
the founding members of The Red Head Gallery and Roundup. And both founded the From*A*Pit
Collective (with artist Krys Verral) and curated two shows, “True to Form” at
the Dufferin Mall and “Pop-Eye” at College Park.
