TORONTO, September 11, 2018 – The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) today announced a new season of ROMSpeaks, the Museum’s signature series of thought-provoking talks and events. Featuring a lineup of leading thinkers and newsmakers, ROMSpeaks connects audiences with the ideas and the people that are shaping our world and culture today.
ROMSpeaks Fall 2018 Lineup
Le Métabolism: Transforming Design on Film
Tuesday, September 11, 2018, 7:00 pm
Fashion filmmaker Stylianos Pangalos and Canadian artist and architect Philip Beesley discuss the intersection of art, design, and film. The evening includes a screening of Pangalos’ documentary film Le Métabolism, which details the making of the ROM’s Dome Dress, a piece created by Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen in collaboration with Philip Beesley, and commissioned exclusively for the Museum. The film follows the creative process from inception to the final reveal on the Paris runway. The dress is currently on display at the ROM and the event includes exclusive evening access to Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion and Philip Beesley: Transforming Space.
Wednesday, September 26, 2018, 7:00 pm
Leaders in the arts community discuss gender and power dynamics within the context of cultural institutions, and the role that they can play as part of the larger conversation that is taking place in response to the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements. Featured speakers: Josh Basseches, ROM Director and CEO; Sarah Diamond, President OCAD University; Stephan Jost, Michael and Sonja Koerner Director, and CEO of the Art Gallery of Ontario; Heidi Reitmaier, Executive Director MOCA; and Sara Angel, Executive Director, Art Canada Institute.
Annual Greek Lecture
The Acropolis Museum: 10 Years After Opening
Tuesday, October 2, 2018, 7:00 pm
Dimitrios Pandermalis, President of the Acropolis Museum in Athens, speaks about the new Acropolis Museum that opened in 2009, for the ROM’s annual Greek lecture. From digital reconstructions of classical sculptures to a 3,200 square meter on-site archaeological excavation, Dr. Pandermalis will offer an insider’s look at the most recent additions to this unique archaeological museum.
Program Partner:
Tuesday, October 30, 2018, 7:00 pm
Comic book giants Chip Zdarsky and Adam Kubert combine forces to unpack the history of the amazing Spider-Man. Moderated by Wes Tyrell of the Canadian Cartoonists Association, this engaging evening explores the unique qualities of this iconic character and his enduring appeal with generations of fans. The evening includes exclusive evening access to Spiders: Fear & Fascination.
13th Annual Eva Holtby Lecture on Contemporary Culture
Towards 2067: Tracing an Indigenous Future in Canada
Speaker: Jesse Wente, Director of Canada’s Indigenous Screen Office
Tuesday, November 6, 2018, 7:00 pm
What kind of place will Canada be in 2067? In light of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations, and as Canadians struggle to understand our past and foster a greater Indigenous presence in cultural leadership, what will life look like for Indigenous, Métis and Inuit peoples in 2067? Join acclaimed broadcaster and cultural critic Jesse Wente (Ojibwe from Toronto, member of the Serpent River First Nation), Director of Canada’s Indigenous Screen Office, as he discusses the current landscape and charts a way forward.
The Eva Holtby Lecture is supported by the Holtby and Schury Families.
Annual South Asia Lecture
In Conversation: The Dhaka Art Summit and the Future of South Asian Contemporary Art
Tuesday, November 27, 2018, 7:00 pm
An exclusive talk led by Nadia and Rajeeb Samdani, visionary co-founders of The Dhaka Art Summit (DAS) in Bangladesh, an international, non-commercial research and exhibition platform for art and architecture related to South Asia. The DAS has grown into one of the newest and most popular additions to the art biennale circuit, and its impact on the global contemporary art world has skyrocketed since its 2012 debut. Nadia and Rajeeb will share how the DAS was conceptualized and realized, and where it is headed in the future.
The Annual South Asia Lecture brings new voices and cultural innovators from the South Asia world to the GTA. It is generously supported by the Ancient Echoes Modern Voices South Asia Programming Fund.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year Keynote: Luminous Seas
Tuesday, December 4, 2018, 7:00 pm
In this keynote lecture, celebrated National Geographic photojournalist Brian Skerry captures an intimate portrait of marine life. His visual storytelling casts a spotlight on the problems facing our oceans from overfishing, climate change and endangered species, while highlighting the importance of marine protection efforts and offering tangible solutions. Best known for his photographs of marine wildlife and underwater environments, Skerry has explored the world’s oceans for 30 years and through his camera he illuminates the long-held mysteries of the deep.
ROM Visitors can now enjoy the ROMSpeaks Group Experience. Groups of 10 or more are invited to register at discounted rate. Please email ROM Group Sales at groupsales@rom.on.ca. Find out more about group visits. For more information on ROMSpeaks events, please visit: www.rom.on.ca/whats-on.
Exhibitions
Spiders: Fear & Fascination
June 16, 2018 to January 6, 2019
Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion
June 2 to October 8, 2018
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
December 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019
Treasures of a Desert Kingdom: The Royal Arts of Jodhpur, India
Opens March, 2019