Panel Power Part II: Of/By/For - A Dialogue on Representation

Earlier this week, I posted on an upcoming panel I'm involved with. Here's another—quite different in focus but just as interesting. It's focusing on First Nations representation, as elaborated in this excerpt from the press release:

Of/By/For: A Dialogue on Representation
Tuesday December 1, 6-9:30pm
Ontario College of Art & Design Graduate Gallery, 205 Richmond St W, Toronto

All are welcome to attend and participate in “Of/By/For: A Dialogue on Representation,” a panel discussion on Taras Polataiko’s recent video work, In the Land of the Head Hunters (2008). This work documents a screening Polataiko arranged, in collaboration with the Kwakiutl Band Council in Fort Rupert, of Edward Curtis’ 1914 film In The Land of the Head Hunters.

Polataiko’s video raises a number of ethical and interpretive issues, regarding the sensitivity of First Nations representation, the limits and potential of cross-cultural comparison, and the impact of different cultural and commercial contexts on meaning. How might viewers work through this complexity, so that new and critical discussions can take place? The goal of this forum is to involve critics, scholars, artists and students in an active ‘live’ dialogue.

The panel will include Bonnie Devine, curator, artist and interim director of the Aboriginal Visual Culture program at OCAD, Leah Sandals, independent art writer and editor, and Taras Polataiko. Moderated by Rose Bouthillier.

In the Land of the Head Hunters is part of Taras Polataiko’s forthcoming exhibition at Barbara Edwards Contemporary in Toronto, from November 27, 2009 to January 9, 2010.

I'm really looking forward to this event.

Still from Taras Polataiko's In the Land of the Head Hunters 2008 from Barbara Edwards Contemporary