Robert Hengeveld's "Staging the Gap"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Video Pool Media Arts Centre presents
Robert Hengeveld's "Staging the Gap"

Robert Hengeveld's exhibition Staging the Gap will no longer be presented at Unit 3 - 300 Main Street. Instead the exhibition will presented at Video Pool's studio (3rd Floor, 100 Arthur Street).

Winnipeg, MB (July 2, 2008) – Video Pool Media Arts Centre is very pleased to present Staging the Gap, a provocative media installation by Toronto-based artist, Robert Hengeveld.

Staging the Gap is a miniature model of a concert stage with silently animated lights and smoke. The work explores the relationship of fact and fiction in a technologically mediated world. Hengeveld critically reflects on the mechanisms used to deliver popular culture by focusing on how visual effects – stage lights, pyrotechnics, and dry ice – are used at concerts to shape our understanding of what we hear. Ignoring society’s desire for the spectacle of performance, the stage created by the artist remains empty while a precisely orchestrated light show plays out.

Accompanying the miniature stage is a series of headphone each playing a different audio track specifically composed in response to the orchestrated light show. This inverts the traditional relationship of audio and visual experience in concert settings and addresses the role of audio in shaping our understanding of the world.

Hengeveld's model stage measures 2.5m2 to establish a scale at which viewers are encompassed by the work, yet still feel slightly detached. Next, he coaxes audiences from their suspended disbelief into his alternate reality by offering a familiar space and encouraging them to relate in a familiar manner. This subtle slip from the norm creates a situation that challenges preconceptions while fostering a reevaluation of our spatial environments and our positions within them.

This exhibition runs from July 29 – August 21, 2008 and will be available weekdays from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Video Pool's Studio (100 Arthur Street, 3rd Floor).

Exhibition Launch: Friday, July 25
Artist talk begins at 6:00 p.m. in Winnipeg Film Group's Studio; Reception will follow at Video Pool – both venues are on the 3rd floor at 100 Arthur Street.

ARTIST BIO -- Robert Hengeveld completed his MFA at the University of Victoria in 2005 and received a Fine Arts Diploma and Certificate from Georgian College, and an AOCAD from the Ontario College of Art and Design. He has exhibited his work across Canada and internationally, and has participated in artist residencies in both Canada and Scotland. He is currently living and working in Toronto.

These exhibition is presented thanks to generous financial support from:



VIDEO POOL MEDIA ARTS CENTRE is a non-profit artist run centre dedicated to advancing the discipline of media art by providing media artists, non-profit organizations and community groups with access to professional video and media equipment, training, distribution and programming. Video Pool strives to be a national leader fostering innovation, experimentation, critical dialogue and advocacy in media arts.

Contact:
Milena Placentile, Programming Coordinator
Video Pool Media Arts Centre
#300-100 Arthur St., Winnipeg MB R3B 1H3
http://www.videopool.org
http://videopool.blogspot.com
204.949.9134 x 1

We’ve reached the end… or have we?

Wow! The past 5 weeks has just been a whirlwind of excitement!

We have:

• Successfully launched six new commissions
• Witnessed four performances (one of which is ongoing and will continue until May 23)
• Enjoyed three receptions
• Welcomed a TON of visitors, some of whom experienced Video Pool programming for the very first time.

… And that was just for our 25th Anniversary programming! We also hosted a performance lecture by Jeanne Randolph on May 8, which involved an enjoyable reception.

Everything has worked out wonderfully and, in about a month, we'll have a ton of photos, and maybe even some video documentation to share.

Thanks are owed to…

The artists: Sharon Alward, Daniel Barrow, Peter Courtemanche & Lori Weidenhammer, Richard Dyck, Jeanne Randolph, Steven Loft, and Victoria Prince.

The curators: Sigrid Dahle and Grant Guy.

Our presentation partners: aceartinc., ADHERE+DENY, The Duke of Kent Legion, PLATFORM, Plug in ICA, the Rachel Browne Theatre (formerly Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers Studio), and the Winnipeg Film Group.

Our technicians: Ian August, Daniel Ellingsen, Rick Fisher, Mike Germaine, and Ken Gregory.

Our hospitality sponsor: The Line Up

And most importantly, thank you to our generous funders: The Winnipeg Arts Council through the New Creations Fund, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Manitoba Arts Council, the Winnipeg Foundation, On Screen Manitoba, and the W.H. & S.E. Loewen Foundation.

Thank you!

On that note, we want to let you know that it’s not over yet!

Through a very generous contribution of the Manitoba Arts Council, beginning in the fall, we will host a series of four artist talks that will give a history of media arts on the prairies in a setting that will, most importantly help to forge new connections between Video Pool’s senior members and our growing generation of new practitioners. Stay tuned for more information!

Coming up next… Robert Hengeveld’s media installation, Staging the Gap. More info coming soon!

Upcoming Video Pool Events: May 5, 8, and 16

Dear Members and Friends,

We are well underway with our 25th Anniversary celebrations! Peter Courtemanche & Lori Weidenhammer's new media sculpture is available for viewing at PLATFORM (100 Arthur St), and Richard Dyck's experimental computer-generated video project is available for viewing at aceartinc. (290 McDermot Ave).

Here's what's coming next:

Steve Loft "A History in Two Parts" -- May 5 – 17, 2008
Reception -- Monday, May 5 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
The Duke of Kent Legion, 227 McDermot Ave.
Exhibition hours beginning May 6: Mon, Wed - Fri 1:00 - 6:00 p.m.; Tues 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. Closed Sat - Sun.
This exhibition is presented in-part through the generosity of On Screen Manitoba

Sharon Alward "Bushi" -- May 16 - 24, 2008
Launch -- Friday, May 16 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Rachel Browne Theatre (Formerly the Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers Studio), 211 Bannatyne Ave
Exhibition hours beginning May 17: Tues - Sat 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Closed Sun - Mon.
Performances each day except May 24

Video Pool's 25th Anniversary Commissions were made possible by the generous support of the Winnipeg Arts Council through the New Creations Fund. Further financial contributions have been kindly provided by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Manitoba Arts Council, the Winnipeg Arts Council, The W.H. & S. E. Loewen Foundation, the Winnipeg Foundation, and On Screen Manitoba.

* * *
During this very exciting time, we are also thrilled to be continue offering programming pertaining to our 2007/2007 thematic, Off the Grid: The Creative (Mis)use of Technology. We are very excited to present one-night only performance lectures by...

Jeanne Randolph and Glen Johnson
Thursday, May 8 beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Winnipeg Film Group Studio, 304-100 Arthur Street

The schedule for the evening is as follows: Performances will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m., we will have a brief intermission between each one, and we'll continue the evening with a reception.

For more information about these thoughtful, provocative, and humorous performances, please visit: http://videopool.blogspot.com/2008/04/planning-ahead-upcoming-performance.html

These performances are presented thanks to generous financial support from The Canada Council for the Arts, The Manitoba Arts Council, and the Winnipeg Arts Council.

Video Pool thanks the Winnipeg Film Group for their generous presentation support.

* * *
As always, our exhibitions and performances are free for all. Please note that owing to the venue, Steve Loft's exhibition is open to audiences aged 18 and older.

* * *

We look forward to seeing you!!

Tonight's the night we party!

Hi Everyone!!

We've been celebrating our 25th Anniversary since January, and we plan to celebrate all year long, but tonight's the night we party!

Join us at at PLATFORM centre for photographic and digital arts (100 Arthur Street, Winnipeg MB) and share in the cheer ... and beer, and food, and fun, and friends, and art, and talk, and everything else wonderful!!

Love,
Video Pool

ps. We're accepting presents... rather, photos of presents ;-) If you have something funny, quirky, strange, unexpected, sentimental, or otherwise "big 2-5" appropriate, bring it along! We'll take a photo and post it on our blog.

Bday wishes are also welcome from those far, far away... we'll announce them on your behalf, just like they do at weddings n' stuff. Accepted by email, fax, telephone, telegram, SMS, or semaphore =-)

A little reminder...

In honour of our 25th Anniversary, Video Pool Media Arts Centre welcomes you to join us on Friday, April 18 at 7:00 p.m. at acerartinc. as we launch three new commissions by Daniel Barrow, Richard Dyck, and Victoria Prince.

Barrow's multi-channel interactive media installation, Trying to Love the Normal Amount, opened at Plug In ICA's satellite space (290 McDermot Ave) on Saturday, April 12, and will be available until Saturday, April 19. Barrow will direct a performance beginning at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Dyck's new media installation, The day we cut Nettie's curls, she was 7 years old, will be presented at aceartinc (290 McDermot Ave) and will run until May 2.

Prince's sculptural video installation, Light and Alter, will be presented at the ADHERE AND DENY Pocket Theatre (315-70 Albert Street) and will run until April 25.


And, please mark your calendars for the launch of a fourth commission by Lori Weidenhammer and Peter Courtemanche. This project will involve two performances -- one on April 24 and one on April 25 -- at PLATFORM Centre for Photographic and Digital Arts at 7:00 p.m.

Following the performance and Q&A session at PLATFORM on April 25, we will celebrate Video Pool's Anniversary with a reception to which all are invited.


For more information about these events and our events upcoming in May, please visit: http://videopool.blogspot.com/2008/04/ton-of-25th-annivesary-programming-to.html

A Ton of 25th Anniversary Programming to Enjoy!

Remember we said we had a ton of 25th Anniversary programming in store? Well, we weren't kidding!

The following list covers everything planned, so far. We have a few more ideas in mind... and we look forward to announcing those details as soon as possible.

Daniel Barrow's presentation of Trying to Love the Normal Amount opens on Saturday, April 12 @ 11:00 a.m.

The reception -- which will also celebrate the launch of projects by Richard Dyck and Victoria Prince -- will take place on Friday, April 18 beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Catering will be provided, most generously, by The Line Up (98 Albert Street). We are grateful for their support!

Exhibitions

Daniel Barrow April 12 – 19
Plug In ICA's Satellite Gallery, 290 McDermot Ave. (Ground Floor) (Map)
Tues - Sat 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m; Closed Sun - Mon.

Victoria Prince April 18 – 25
ADHERE AND DENY's Pocket Theatre, 315-70 Albert St. (Map)
Tues - Sat 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Closed Sun - Mon.

Richard Dyck April 18 – May 2
aceartinc., 290 McDermot Ave. (2nd Floor) (Map)
Tues - Sat 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Closed Sun - Mon.

Peter Courtemanche and Lori Weidenhammer April 24 – May 10
PLATFORM Centre for Photographic + Digital Arts, 100 Arthur St. (Map)
Tues - Sat 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Thurs 12:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Closed Sun - Mon.

Steve Loft May 5 – 17
The Duke of Kent Legion, 227 McDermot Ave. (Map)
Mon, Wed - Fri 1:00 - 6:00 p.m.; Tues 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. Closed Sat - Sun.

Sharon Alward May 16 – 24
Rachel Browne Theatre (Formerly the Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers Studio), 211 Bannatyne Ave. (Map)
Tues - Sat 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Closed Sun - Mon.

Performances

Daniel Barrow April 18 – Begins at 7:30 p.m.
Plug In ICA's Satellite Gallery, 290 McDermot Ave. (Ground Floor) (Map)

Peter Courtemanche + Lori Weidenhammer April 24 & 25 – Begins at 7:00 p.m.
(Question and answer session begins approximately 7:45)
PLATFORM Centre for Photographic + Digital Arts, 100 Arthur St. (Map)

Sharon Alward May 16 – 23 – At intervals throughout the duration of the exhibition except for Saturday, May 24.
Rachel Browne Theatre (Formerly the Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers Studio), 211 Bannatyne Ave. (Map)

Openings

Daniel Barrow, Victoria Prince, and Richard Dyck April 18 – Begins at 7:00 p.m.
aceartinc., 290 McDermot Ave. (2nd Floor) (Map)

Peter Courtemanche + Lori Weidenhammer and 25th Anniversary Reception April 25 – Begins at 8:00 p.m.
PLATFORM Centre for Photographic + Digital Arts, 100 Arthur St. (Map)

Steven Loft May 5 – 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
The Duke of Kent Legion, 227 McDermot Ave. (Map)

Sharon Alward May 16 - Begins at 7:00 p.m.
Rachel Browne Theatre (Formerly the Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers Studio), 211 Bannatyne Ave. (Map)

Late, but not forgotten... Camera-Free Film and Video

Back in February, Video Pool hosted a single channel screening that presented short works by various local, national, and international artists, each of whom had produced film and/or video without the use of a camera. Despite spectacularly bone-chilling Winnipeg weather conditions, we were thrilled to welcome almost a full house to The Winnipeg Film Group’s Cinematheque theatre.

The diverse selection of work proved quite substantial and between laughter, solemnity, and awe, attendees were presented with a great deal to mull over. Dynamic conversation, along with food and drink, were shared across the hallway at PLATFORM.

Thank you to all everyone who joined us! We look forward to presenting another equally intriguing thematic single channel screening next year!

Tomorrow night only... a FREE screening of Camera-Free Film and Video!

It's only going to be -22 degrees tomorrow, so I know that you can venture out of doors and join us for a cozy screening of astoundingly original films and videos.

Camera-Free Film and Video features the work of international and nationally-renowned artists, as well as local luminaries. These artists don't take the camera for granted in their image-making process, but rather break it, bend it or toss it out altogether. Images are created and manipulated using low-tech (scratch animation) and very high-tech (custom-made algorithms) techniques.

Freed of camera work, these artists discover new creative territory and advance experimental film and video practice.

Join us!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008 stating @ 7:30 p.m.
The Winnipeg Film Group's Cinematheque Theatre, 100 Arthur St.
Admission is free of charge
A reception at Platform Gallery will follow the screening

The line-up of fantastic work will include...

"Five Cents a Copy" Ed Ackerman & Gregory Zbitnew (Winnipeg)
"The Death of Natural Language" Clint Enns (Winnipeg)
"Turku Goes Oukkidoukki" Gun Holström (Helsinki)
"American Singles" Ian Robert MacTilstra (Vancouver)
"Asleep at the Wheel" Mike Maryniuk (Winnipeg)
"Pants!" Divya Mehra (Winnipeg/New York)
"Traffiic" Robert Pasternak (Winnipeg)
"Rectangular World" Andrew James Patterson (Toronto)
"Isolating Landscapes" Heidi Phillips (Winnipeg)
"Winged Victory" Victoria Prince (Winnipeg)
"Telephone and Distant Conversation" Nicole Shimonek (Winnipeg/London, UK)
"Malfunction 2.0" Murray Toews (Winnipeg)
"Tilted" Kai Ling Xue (Vancouver)
"Niverville, MB, 08.04" Collin Zipp (Winnipeg)

Coming Soon: Camera-Free Film and Video

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Video Pool Media Arts Centre presents
Camera-Free Film and Video
Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Winnipeg, MB (January 23, 2008) – We can always trust artists to challenge assumptions and to seek creative alternatives to conventional practices. In the case of film and video, this is also true.

This screening features experimental techniques for moving image creation and manipulation including: machinima (film and video made using avatars and/or video game environments), computer-based image manipulation, well-established filmmaking techniques such as hand processing, optical printing, and scratch animation, as well as work employing modified cameras or found footage.

Curated through an open call for submissions, Camera-Free Film and Video showcases provocative non-traditional film and video produced by artists from diverse cultural backgrounds and communities. We are pleased to present the work of a number of local artists, underscoring Winnipeg's rich contribution to experimental film and video making in this country.

Featured artists include: Ed Ackerman & Gregory Zbitnew (Winnipeg), Clint Enns (Winnipeg), Gun Holström (Helsinki), Ian Robert MacTilstra (Vancouver), Mike Maryniuk (Winnipeg), Divya Mehra (Winnipeg/New York), Robert Pasternak (Winnipeg), Andrew James Patterson (Toronto), Heidi Phillips (Winnipeg), Victoria Prince (Winnipeg), Nicole Shimonek (Winnipeg/London, UK), Murray Toews (Winnipeg), Kai Ling Xue (Vancouver), and Collin Zipp (Winnipeg).

Join us!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The Cinematheque Theatre, 100 Arthur St.
Admission is free of charge

This one-night only screening begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be followed by a Q&A session, and then a reception at Platform Gallery

Video Pool thanks the Winnipeg Film Group's Cinematheque and Platform Gallery for their generous presentation support.

Image: Clint Enns, The Death of Natural Language, 2007 (video still)

* * *

We wish to acknowledge the generosity of our funders: The Canada Council for the Arts, the Manitoba Arts Council, and the Winnipeg Arts Council

VIDEO POOL MEDIA ARTS CENTRE is a non-profit artist run centre dedicated to advancing the discipline of media art by providing media artists, non-profit organizations and community groups with access to professional video and media equipment, training, distribution and programming. Video Pool strives to be a national leader fostering innovation, experimentation, critical dialogue and advocacy in media arts.


Contact: Milena Placentile, Programming Coordinator
Video Pool Media Arts Centre
#300-100 Arthur St., Winnipeg, MB R3B 1H3
http://www.videopool.org +++ http://videopool.blogspot.com +++ 204.949.9134 x1


Coming soon: Video Pool Media Arts Centre celebrates 25 years with a series of exhibitions featuring six newly commissioned works curated by Sigrid Dahle and Grant Guy. Featured artists include: Sharon Alward, Daniel Barrow, Peter Courtemanche + Lori Weidenhammer, Richard Dyck, Steven Loft, and Victoria Prince.

Happy Day After Art's Birthday!

Hello and Happy [day after] Art’s Bday!!

We enjoyed a wonderful night of celebrations in honour of Art’s Birthday, and we hope that you did, too!! Ryan Stec’s remix of video works by Stacey Abramson, Clint Enns, Simon Hughes, and Dominique Rey offered a tantalizing audiovisual experience, and his eye candy tricks and treats also factored deliciously well into the sets of our other performers. We’re still breathless over Venetian Snares’ paying of IDM puppet master to our dancing bodies and breakcore minstrel to our minds, and we’re still floating over Mama Cutsworth’s soulful delivery of vinyl delights that transported us through time and space! Thank you to these incredible talents for helping us set the pace for a fantastic night!

We are also grateful to John Kendle, Tracey Koga, and Morley Walker for their expertise and good humor participating in our real and surreal cake competition. Because, well, what’s a birthday party without cake? And, further to that very important thought, thank you to Pastry Castle for contributing a beautiful, creamy, chocolatey-goodness, icing smothered treat that was shared among many!

Thanks are also due to Shawna Dempsey for her role as an MC, the many video makers who contributed work to our reel, and the many volunteers who worked tech, decorated, worked the door and sold raffle tickets. Special thanks are also due to Jaymez and Big Mama for their “tasty” contribution to the evening. Also, thank you very much to Ragpickers Anti-Fashion Emporium for setting up a fabulous costume rental depot... awesome!

We are also extremely grateful to the many local merchants and galleries who contributed sensational items to our raffle! We will soon be posting a special thank you mentioning all of them. Thank you!!

Thanks also to the staff at Club Desire for giving us a place to party and for helping the night run so smoothly.

We also want to thank Charles, Michael and Thor for capturing the night in still and moving image... those pics and vids will be coming soon! We can’t wait to share them. Oh, and that reminds us... if YOU have pics, please send them to us!! We’ll post them, with credit, of course!

So, until then... we hope you enjoy another wonderful year of art!

[Art's Birthday 2008]

The "Official" Art's Bday Press Release ;-)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Join Video Pool Media Arts Centre in Celebrating
Art’s 1,000,045th Birthday on January 17, 2008
– The party starts at 8:00 p.m. at Club Desire (441 Main St.) –

Winnipeg, MB (January 2, 2008) – At Video Pool, we love art, and we love parties. It is in this spirit that we are thrilled to continue our tradition of bringing international Art's Birthday celebrations to Winnipeg!

In 1963, French Fluxus artist Robert Filliou declared that on January 17, one million years ago, art was born when someone dropped a dry sponge into a bucket of water. A deliberate yet playful act left open to chance… who knew art would evolve to become something so culturally significant?

To recognize the worldwide appreciation of art, Video Pool is pleased to host an evening of performances, contests, interactive fun, and other goodies. We’ll begin the night with a VJ-style new media performance by Ryan Stec (Winnipeg/Ottawa). This will be followed by an experimental electronic music set by internationally renowned Venetian Snares (Budapest/Winnipeg). Local favourite, Mama Cutsworth, will take over the stage next, and she’ll keep the party going by spinning funky vinyl into the wee hours.

Art’s Birthday is also a chance to get involved!

• COSTUMES: Everyone is welcome to be creative and party in costume. The theme selected by the International Art’s Birthday Committee for 2008 is “Forever Young”… unique interpretations of this are encouraged!
• CAKE: What is a party without cake? Bring your real or surreal cake to the party and enter it to be judged by our panel of “experts”. Please click here for more information.
• MEDIA GIFT EXCHANGE: Bring a wrapped gift such as a video clip on DVD, an old 8-track cassette, or a sequence of ambient sounds on a CD and take another mystery media gift home with you at the end of the night. Please click here for more information.
  
• RAFFLES: Try your luck at our draws for great items from fantastic local merchants!

Art’s Birthday is a chance for one and all to come together and have a wonderful time in the name of Art. It is an event that gets bigger and bigger each year, and it is not to be missed, so join us and be a part of the action!

Thursday, January 17, 2008
Club Desire - 441 Main St., Winnipeg



Admission is $15 or $5 for those arriving in costume
Doors open at 8:00 p.m.

* * *

Art’s Birthday is also a time to say thank you to organizations that help make art possible. Video Pool Media Arts Centre is grateful for ongoing support from:



Video Pool is also thrilled to have the support of local merchants including Pastry Castle, which has generously donated a birthday cake for us to share!



VIDEO POOL MEDIA ARTS CENTRE is a non-profit artist run centre dedicated to advancing the discipline of media art by providing media artists, non-profit organizations and community groups with access to professional video and media equipment, training, distribution and programming. Video Pool strives to be a national leader fostering innovation, experimentation, critical dialogue and advocacy in media arts.

Contact:
Milena Placentile, Programming Coordinator
Video Pool Media Arts Centre
#300-100 Arthur St., Winnipeg MB R3B 1H3
http://www.videopool.org
http://videopool.blogspot.com
204.949.9134 x 1

Pool Cue III

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a wonderful time at our Winter Member’s Screening, Pool Cue III! The program offered a truly diverse selection of work by local video makers and gave all in attendance a chance to discover what friends and colleagues have been up to this past year. The energy and enthusiasm evident throughout the evening was fantastic!

Special thanks are due to the King’s Head Pub, not only for providing us with great space within which to hold our event, but for treating us to gigantic trays of awesome appetizers, too!

Here are some pics from the night... If anyone has more, please do pass ‘em along!!































PS: As a reminder to anyone who shared a video: if you would like to have your work distributed by VP, please contact vpdist@videopool.org.

More Photos from the Rockstars & Wannabes Launch Party

All pics courtesy of Scott Stephens...