"In Light: Francis Alys"
2003-07-12 until 2003-10-05
Art Gallery of Ontario
Toronto, ON, CA

The Last Clown, 2000, is an endless animated loop by the Belgian Francis Alÿs. Set to the music of Charles Mingus, a man strolls along a path, lost in his thoughts. A pratfall and a glance over his shoulder elicit laughter, after which he returns to his private world. Organized by the Art Gallery of Ontario

The Art Gallery of Ontario is proud to highlight the importance of video art. Beginning April 6, 2002 and running until April 4, 2004, an exhibition series entitled In Light will present video installations by eight contemporary artists. This two-year series features recent video works by Canadian and international artists who were selected for their unique approaches to the medium and its elaboration of themes identified with their individual practices.

The AGO's commitment to video has been seen through previous exhibitions, such as Video Primer and Ecstatic Memory. The AGO has made a priority of presenting ongoing video exhibitions and introducing visitors to this ever-evolving art form.

Based on technologies that have only existed since the mid-1960s, video art does not have the lengthy genealogy that informs our understanding of more traditional artistic media. With large-scale video projections, however, the artists in In Light make strong connections to the pictorial traditions of fine art, with added dimensions of movement, luminosity and acoustic space. Video is an experiential medium that unfolds as you watch. Each artist in the In Light series will use continuous DVD projection to present a single work that will be on view for a 12-week duration.

IMAGE
Francis Alys
Study for The Last Clown (B&W version), 2003
animation and drawing
© 2003 the Lisson Gallery and the artist.

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for Canada

Other Important Exhibitions in Toronto