Inspired by the Mayworks Festival events across the country this month, Modern Fuel presents a video program and a panel discussion that addresses the relationship between artists, labour, and the economy, entitled “Video Surplus / Varied Toil.”
The screening “Video Surplus,” curated by Michael Davidge, presents a selection of videos by artists including Emily Vey Duke, Cooper Battersby, Nahed Mansour and others to provide a composite portrait of video art production in Canada during the past decade as well as a survey of the diverse ways that artists’ work refuses instrumentalization. The program presents a portrayal of art production that underscores yet again the cultural contradictions of capitalism, this time within the framework of the Creative Economy as popularized by figures such as Richard Florida.
“Varied Toil” is the title of an audio documentary by James Goddard that presents a series of conversations between different people who in various ways might fall into the category of creative worker. These conversations center around the relationship between art and work, both terms variously conceived. This in the end provides an interesting picture of how this new breed of workers talks about themselves. Goddard will give a presentation on his project and then join in a conversation with the other guest presenters, Emily Vey Duke, Cooper Battersby, and Nahed Mansour.
The screening and discussion will be a free presentation that will take place at the AKA autonomous social centre, 75 Queen Street, Kingston, Ontario.
