Lots of crazy stuff was going down in 1983, not the least of which was a film entitled A Post Card from Victoria. The short was made by Montreal artists Lorraine Dufour and Robert Morin, and is now being brought back to life as part of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria’s 2013-14 LAB series, which gives space to projects that are more dynamic and experimental than what you might normally find at the gallery.
The project was inspired by Michael Turner’s residency at Vancouver’s Western Front; he came across the video, started asking questions, and then the rest of the pieces just fell into place.
“Michael was curious if this had even been screened in Victoria,” says Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV) associate curator of contemporary art Nicole Stanbridge, “and proposed an installation for the LAB space around the concept of this video work.”
Turner, who will be guest curator for the exhibit, was so intrigued by the 14-minute video when he found it that he had to bring it to Victorians. The film shows an interesting perspective of Victoria, something that people who go see the exhibit will enjoy exploring.
“As a reflection of Victoria from an outsider’s perspective, certain cliches about the city arise,” says Stanbridge. “It is interesting to discuss the perceptions and stereotypes of a city, how it is perceived and how its history contributes to its current profile.”
The film deals with elements of belonging and authenticity, but also class issues. It deals with a lot of things that Victoria’s history dealt with, and that Victoria’s present continues to deal with. For Stanbridge, the film works as a good first step to further discourse.
“Investigation and dialogue are valuable activities to pursue,” she says, “and I think this project allows for that to take place.”
Something else the multi-media exhibit (yes, there are also actual postcards involved) allows for is a chance for people (visual arts students, we’re looking at you!) to witness artists interacting with each other, through their art.
“The exhibition is an opportunity for students to see how artists can respond to each others’ work,” says Stanbridge. “The artists commissioned to produce the original postcards for the exhibitionŃRaymond Boisjoly, Geoffrey Farmer, and Julia FeyrerŃresponded to the video work in the exhibition to produce their images.”
And as for why now, the answer is simple: it’s that time of year.
“As we near our busy tourist season it is interesting to think about what draws people to the city,” says Stanbridge, “and the characteristics that distinguish Victoria as a destination.”
A Postcard from Victoria
Until July 7
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
aggv.ca