Stirring films and events accompany provocative art installation
The Institute for Contemporary Culture (ICC) at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) announces a series of thought-provoking films and events in conjunction with the art installation, Dan Perjovschi: Late News, opening on February 22, 2010. Distinguished in the world of contemporary art, Dan Perjovschi will draw his brilliant and irreverent cartoons directly onto the dramatic soaring walls of the Roloff Beny Gallery, on Level 4 of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal at the ROM between February 15 and 22. He will spend this time in residence at the Museum creating his unique site-specific line drawings while interacting with ROM visitors. This original work will remain on display until August 15, 2010.
Over winter and spring 2010, the ICC will host several public events exploring political and cultural themes suggested by Late News, ranging from the power of the political cartoon in today's world, to Romania's vibrant contemporary society.
FILM: The New Wave of Romanian Cinema: Screening and Panel Discussion
Thursday, February 4, 2010, 7 p.m.
Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre, Level 1B
The ICC teams up with ToRo Arts Group, a not-for-profit organization purposed on the promotion of Romanian culture in Toronto, to present the film La nouvelle vague roumain (2008), by Marius Doicov and Vincent Guyottot. The screening is followed by a panel discussion on the much-discussed New Wave of Romanian Cinema and its aesthetic ways of addressing the ‘messiness of Romanian life, its cruelty, bare-bones richness and overwhelming humour'.Panelists include Tudor Giurgiu (producer, director and president of the Transylvania International Film Festival), Jennie Punter (film critic and contributor to the Globe and Mail newspaper), and Adam Nayman (film critic).The panel will be moderated by Calin Mihailescu. The ToRo Arts Group presents an annual Romanian film festival each February, and coordinates other events throughout the year to highlight the contemporary culture of Romania.
Free Admission
FILM: TIFF Cinematheque presents two acclaimed Romanian Films
Jackman Hall, Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas Street West
In their ‘Best of the Decade Series’ TIFF Cinematheque will present two of the most important films to come out of Romania in the last ten years.
•The Death of Mr. Lazarescu, by director Cristi Puiu, on February 14, 2010, 7 p.m.
•4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days, by director Cristian Mungiu, on February 18, 2010, 7 p.m.
All screenings will occur at the AGO’s Jackman Hall. To order tickets, call 1-877-968-FILM. For more information visit tiff.net/cinematheque
ARTIST TALK featuring Dan Perjovschi
Wednesday, February 17, 2010, 7 p.m.
Institute for Contemporary Culture, Level 4
Join us for an up-close and personal talk with visiting artist Dan Perjovschi as he discusses his work, his practice, and his experiences of working in museums and galleries all over the world. The artist will be in conversation with William Thorsell, Director and CEO of the ROM. A Q&A with the artist will follow.
Enter through the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal doors on Bloor Street West.
Free Admission
FILM: Bloody Cartoons: Screening and Panel Discussion
Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 7 p.m.
Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre, Level 1B
Directed by Karsten Kjaer, this documentary investigates how and why twelve drawings in a Danish provincial paper could whirl a small country into a confrontation with Muslims all over the world. This forceful film demonstrates the power of the political cartoon in today’s global context. A panel discussion on the role of the press in this controversial issue will follow, with special guests Professor Brenda Crossman (University of Toronto), David Anderson (Toronto freelance editorial cartoonist) and TBC.
Enter through the President’s Choice Group Entrance at the south end of the Museum.General Admission: $10 / ROM Members & Students: $8 / Friends of ICC: $6.Tickets available at the door only.
TALK: The Ethos and Ethics of The New Yorker Cartoons, featuring Robert Mankoff
Tuesday, April 13, 2010, 7 p.m.
Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre, Level 1B
Join us for a light-hearted evening with Robert Mankoff, the cartoon editor of The New Yorker magazine, who will present a talk comparing how The New Yorker deals with topical issues in its cartoons versus newspaper editorial cartoonists. More than eight hundred of his cartoons have been published in The New Yorker in the past thirty years. After his presentation, Mankoff will be joined on stage by The Globe and Mail’s Margaret Wente for a discussion and Q&A. Enter through the President’s Choice Group Entrance on the south side of the Museum. Tickets available online.
General Admission: $20 / ROM Members & Students: $18 / Friends of ICC: $15
FILM: Videograms of a Revolution (1992)
Wednesday, May 19, 7 p.m.
Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre, ROM Level 1B
A subversive documentary film by German filmmakers Andrei Ujica and Harun Farocki, comprised of amateur video and Romanian state television broadcasts created during the historic December 1989 revolution.Enter through the President’s Choice Group Entrance on the south side of the Museum.General Public $10 / ROM Members & Students $8 / Friends of ICC $6.Tickets available at the door only.
KIDS: Kids’ Cartooning Workshop
Saturday, June 12, 2 – 4 pm, ROM
Inspired by the Perjovschi exhibition, the ICC presents an interactive workshop where children will learn the basics of cartooning from cartoon artists. For ages 10 – 14. Advance registration will be required and capacity is limited. For more information visit www.rom.on.ca/icc/events.php
About Dan Perjovschi: Late News:
From February 15 to February 22, 2010, Dan Perjovschi will transform the walls of the Roloff Beny Gallery. While working in the gallery, he will immerse himself in local media, surveying news from local and international newspapers, internet, TV and radio, which will provide the inspiration for his work. Perjovschi’s acclaimed exhibitions are always a personal response to the social and political atmosphere, and the geographic location, in which they are created. The works will be created during public hours, allowing Museum visitors to observe the creation in progress, making the drawing project a performance in itself. The installation will remain on view until August 15, 2010. As the work will be painted over at the conclusion of the exhibition period, the ICC will produce a free publication (available in the gallery in the spring) that will be the record of the Late News installation.
About Dan Perjovschi:
Romanian-born Dan Perjovschi is an artist who mixes drawing, cartoon and graffiti in artistic pieces drawn directly on the walls of European and American museums and contemporary art spaces. These drawings – both witty and incisive – comment on current political, social or cultural issues or events. His stark style of line drawing allows him to condense the conflicts and dilemmas of the world into a rapid-response commentary that is both political and honest.
Institute for Contemporary Culture
The Institute for Contemporary Culture (ICC) plays a vital role at the ROM, a museum whose collections embrace many civilizations through the ages. While the ROM documents history, the ICC is the ROM’s window on contemporary society, exploring current cultural issues through exhibitions of art, lectures, film series, and informal gatherings. The ROM’s collections provide context and depth to the contemporary issues addressed by participants in ICC events from around the world. In this, and many other ways, the ICC serves as a catalyst for stimulating public conversations. For more information on the ICC, visit www.rom.on.ca/about/icc
Other information:
Admission to Dan Perjovschi: Late News is included in general Museum admission: Adults: $22; Students and Seniors with ID: $19; Children (4 to 14 years) $15; Children 3 & under are free. Half Price Friday Nights, presented by Sun Life Financial, take place from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm. To book a group of ten or more and for more information on private guided tours or group menu, please call ROM Group Sales at 416.586.5889 or email groupsales@rom.on.ca.
Dan Perjovschi: Late News is organized by the Institute for Contemporary Culture at the Royal Ontario Museum, in association with Lombard-Freid Projects, New York.
Generously Supported by: Dekla