Beyond the gallery: Conversations in Contemporary Art

What does it mean to be a practicing contemporary artist in today’s society? That is what Concordia’s Conversations in Contemporary Art (CICA) will explore by giving students the chance to learn about artists and the creative processes behind their work.

“We bring in dynamic and creative artists, curators and thinkers to share their work and research with the Studio Arts, Concordia and larger Montreal communities,” says Ingrid Bachmann, the organizer of CICA and associate professor and graduate program director in the Department of Studio Arts.

The lecture series is also a course offered through the MFA program in Studio Arts — an opportunity for students to sharpen their critical lenses so as to better hone their own self-representations. It also offers a direct connection to the Montreal art community.

Bachmann explains that every year, national and international artists, as well as cultural theorists, filmmakers, critics and gallery dealers, come to Concordia to take part in the lecture series.

“I think the thing that’s really important is that it’s a forum. The Conversations in Contemporary Art series was called ‘conversation’ quite specifically because of the idea of dialoguing or conversing, and that in many ways thinking is an active process that happens in dialogue with others, that happens in dialogue with ideas,” Bachman says.

“We’re inviting the Concordia community — and obviously our student community — but also the larger Montreal community to participate in a conversation with us.”

The winter 2015 series kicked off on January 15 with a lecture by Serbian artist Ivana Ivković.

Speaking to a packed house, she gave an open, honest and personal talk about her work and the role that identity plays in influencing her pieces. She spoke about the contemporary art scene in Belgrade, as well as about how she considers herself to be a nomadic artist, finding residencies in cities around the world from Europe to India to Morocco. The talk ended with a Q&A session followed by a reception during which  it was clear that Ivković was there to connect with Concordians and Montrealers.

“Informal ways of presentation are always more intense, and you can share more with people,” Ivković says. “I am very touched with the Montreal audience in general, and the talk at Concordia touched me even more because I really felt connected with the students and the public.”

Ivković’s openness stood out to MFA student Shima Asa.  

“It’s a part of our discipline that we don’t see in galleries,” says Asa. “The artist is more honest in these lecture settings with students than in a situation with critics.”

The lectures give the artists a chance to interact with and get feedback from the audience, while giving students a glimpse into the many possibilities that their futures as artists may hold.

“My most important memories from my own faculty period are connected to visiting artists’ talks,” said Ivković. “When you have the chance to hear about someone’s work, way of living and art practice, it is very inspiring for your work.”

Iqrar Rizvi, one of the CICA’s student organizers from the MFA program, says the lecture series reflects Concordia’s focus on “research-creation.”

“This lecture series is a liberating opportunity for the public to come see the Visual Arts building and see what we are doing as a MFA Program,” he says.

Each year, the lecture series partners with a cultural institutions in the city. This year, they are collaborating with Galerie B312, where Ivković is part of an exhibition that runs until February 14. During the fall term, the series presented artist Simon Denny, as part of the 2014 Montreal Biennale.

Bachmann says that within the year, the CICA tries to cover all the disciplines represented in the MFA Studio Arts program and that faculty and students can recommend an artist for the series.

“We also draw on our excellent faculty,” Bachmann says. In this term, photography professor Raymonde April will give a talk, along with faculty visiting artists Tema Stauffer and Ed Pien.

Next in the series is a lecture from contemporary photographer and Concordia professor Raymonde April. April has had numerous Canadian and international solo shows and has won awards for her work including the Ontario Arts Foundation's Paul de Hueck and Norman Walford Career Achievement Award for Art Photography. On January 29, students will have a chance to learn how her photographic work is personal and often includes autobiographical elements, a style called autofiction. 

The winter series lineup also includes ceramics artist Del Harrow on February 12, and a lecture on March 26 for which artist has yet to be announced.

Make sure not to miss Raymonde April’s lecture on January 29 (6 to 8 p.m. in Room VA-114, Visual Arts building, 1395 René Lévesque Blvd W., Sir George Williams Campus). The CICA lectures are free and open to the public.