Overview:
Curate an (imagined) exhibition of contemporary Canadian Art and write a curatorial essay.
Details:
For your final assignment you will curate an exhibition of 3-5 works by Contemporary Canadian artists. You will begin by developing a theme (unifying idea or motif) drawing from one or more topics throughout the course (nationalism, multiculturalism, gender identity, body politics, Indigenous sovereignty, Land, cultural diversity, performance, activism, diaspora). This is a hypothetical exhibition meaning there are no limitations in terms of location, budget, artists, etc. so think big! Consider the work of other curators, how do they develop a thematic that is compelling, critical and can link multiple works of art?
submission Details:
To submit your assignment, combine all your files into one PDF document. Be sure to title the PDF FullName_FinalExhibition. Your file should include the following:
1. A well written curatorial essay (1250-1500 words).
2. A works cited page.
3. An appendix which includes images of each work in your exhibition (labeled), and (optional) a mock exhibition layout.
What is a curatorial essay?
-A curatorial essay (or curatorial statement) is written by the curator to explain the rationale behind the exhibition. It is usually a persuasive essay that informs the reader about the premise of the exhibit and describes in detail some of the works in order to show how these works relate together and why it is significant to see them together.
Organizing your curatorial essay:
-The initial paragraph should establish the overall premise of the exhibition, the main theme or concept.
-The middle paragraphs should describe some detailed aspects of each of the 3-5 works. -Outline what the works have in common (themes, style, techniques, technologies, location, time period, politics, etc.) and how they each illustrate the overall theme of your exhibition. You may also chose to describe -how they differ if juxtaposition is significant to your thematic.
-In the final paragraph, suggest the wider significance of your theme. Describe what you learned from putting the exhibition together and/or what you hope the viewer takes away from the exhibition.
-Don’t forget to name your exhibition.
Examples of curatorial essays:
THE COUNTER/SELF, Art Museum (2023), curatorial essay by Mona Filip (the exhibition won a GOG Award).
（https://canvascloud.ocadu.ca/courses/8478/files/2830001?verifier=ixkWRya5yKWr72xURF5kMRKe8liiQjGB3KXFqluv&wrap=1）
Deanna Bowen, A Harlem Nocturne, at the Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver (2019), curatorial essay by Kimberly Phillips.
（https://www.banffcentre.ca/harlem-nocturne-curatorial-essay-kimberly-phillips）
Stories for the Moment, SAVAC (2008), essay by Haema Sivanesan. （https://dorismccarthygallery.utoronto.ca/publications/essays/stories-for-the-moment）
