ADC at PQ2023

ADC is thrilled to present ‘A Carrying Vessel‘ – an exciting Canadian exhibit in the Prague Quadrennial Exhibition of Countries and Regions, June 8–18, 2023. This exhibit includes an interactive art installation that aims to re-contextualize large regional Canadian theatres as sites of urban decay with emergent life budding within. Co-curators Carmen Alatorre and Wlad Antonio Woyno Rodriguez devised this theme specifically to focus on amplifying ideas, interests, and aesthetics of equity-seeking designers in Canada. Below is an experpt from their curatorial statement:

“It is rare for equity-seeking artists to find outlets for expression of their work unhampered by the expectations of the majority culture. Some of us have forced ourselves to adapt in order to survive, while many continue to operate outside the established boundaries at the expense of access to resources. Ongoing international activist movements and the closure of theatres across the country during the global pandemic, encourage Canadian artists to seek new outlets for their work at this unique point in history. With renewed energy, artists wish to express themselves and hold space for traditional ways of knowing and the wisdom of newcomers alike to broaden the national discourse. Harnessing this momentum, we will generate a literal vessel to carry these experiences across the country and create an opportunity for encounter – of artists, audiences, unique ideas and diverse experiences.

This vessel will gather artistic output from five featured artists- Samira Banihashemi, Whittyn Jason, Nancy Tam, Samay Arcentales Cajas and Jay Havens. These artists are living across the country and position themselves both within and outside of dominant culture. Physically, the exhibition will manifest as a transforming, interdisciplinary installation. Our featured artists have contributed interventions with participatory components in space, lighting, sound, projection and costume design. Each artist’s expression of their work and creative process will be available to the audience to discover. When an audience member uncovers an activation point it will initiate a scenographic event which will expand and fill the entirety of the vessel. These rich but momentary encounters will highlight the transient and precarious nature of work created outside of the support of the dominant culture and help our audience to understand both the risk and reward that equity-seeking designers must balance when creating work in Canada. These designers have navigated visible and invisible barriers in the traditional Colonial theatre system. We seek to highlight their work, passion, and artistic inquiry – not necessarily focusing solely on their identity.” – Carmen Alatorre and Wladimiro A. Woyno R.

A digital catalogue of the exhibit is available online at pq2023.designers.ca

A Canada + Quebec Student and Emerging Artist exhibit titled Troubled Water / Eau Troubles, will also be presented at this year’s Prague Quadrennial. It will host 14 post-secondary schools and approximately 20 emerging artists. Co-curated by Carla Orosz, Alex Gilbert, and Raymond Boucher, this exhibit will be on display in the streets of the Holešovice Market (formerly known as the Prague Market) from June 8–18, 2023. Find out more at pqemerging.ca.

ADC’s PQ2023 Committee Members are Ian Garrett, Ken Mackenzie, Snezana Pesic, Patrick DuWors, and T. Erin Gruber.