Parallel World -Artist's Statement

In his photo based works, video installations and architectural structures Boja Vasic explore the relation between individuality and the notion of power; the temptation to overcome or violate borders of a double nature, vague and well defined, social and political, of ephemeral as well as eternal character.

In the area between globalization and accepted social behaviours there seems to be a no man’s land. In his projects he try to individuate elements of the curious mixture between “civilization” and “barbarisms”, of private and public character, legality and abuse, emancipating and conservative, all present in this relation. In his recent video and photo-based works he strive to develop ideas in the direction of political and ideological narratives, of delirious utopia and icy pragmatism, social hypocrisy and moralism.

By adopting a wide variety of techniques such as photography, sculptural installation and video Vasic try to transmit through his art works different mentalities, ideas, perceptions and challenges, all motivated by the temptation to enjoy the freedom and the anxiety of the freedom, indifference and the veneration, everything related to the temptation to violate invisible cultural, social, and political borders and taboos. His most recent body of work, The Architecture of Survival, explores issues such as mobility, forced displacement, dislocation, and homelessness, as well as social and political instability of modern life.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Glendon Gallery presents “Parallel World - The Architecture of Survival ”

October 23 to November 16, 2007

Opening Reception: tuesday october 23, 6 - 8 pm

“The subject of homelessness and displacement an exhibition at The Glendon Gallery”

Toronto, October 1st, 2007 - Glendon Gallery is please to present Boja Vasic’s Parallel World the Architecture of Survival, a powerful visual and environmental force documenting the struggle for survival by some of the poorest members of society, curator by Marc Audette. The exhibition will run from October 23 to November 16. The artist will attend the Opening Reception on Tuesday, October 23, from 6 to 8 pm, and he will also give a talk on Wednesday, October 24, at noon.

Parallel World the Architecture of Survival is a media installation incorporating ninety-nine photographs of temporary shelters in downtown Belgrade built by refugees from Kosovo and other migrants seeking a better life. The installation incorporates a shanty house built in the gallery and a two-channel video titled Gypsy Utopia.

In his photo based works, video installations and architectural structures Boja Vasic explore the relation between individuality and the notion of power; the temptation to overcome or violate borders of a double nature, vague and well defined, social and political, of ephemeral as well as eternal character. The Architecture of Survival explores issues such as mobility, forced displacement, dislocation, and homelessness, as well as social and political instability of modern life.

Boja Vasic is a Toronto based media artist and photographer. His work has been shown at eh 8th Havana Biennial in Cuba (2003), V1 Yugoslav Biennial of Yourth Vrsac in Serbia (2004), XIII and XIV International Art Biennial of Vila Nova de Cerveira in Portugal (2005, 2007), Third Tirana Biennial, Albania (2005), and Liverpool Biennial, Independents, England (2006).

His video were shown at festivals in Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Chicago, Denver, Toronto, and he has won several international awards including the Chris Award at the Columbus International Film and Video Festival, a Bronze Medal at New York Festivals, and the Gold Award at Dallas HeSCA Media Festival. His latest project The Architecture of Surval was exhibited at the Definitely Superior Gallery in Thunder Bay, VU Venter for Photography in Quebec City, and travels to Alternator Gallery in Kelowna.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Boja Vasic gratefully acknowledges the support of the the Ontario Arts Council which is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

Glendon Gallery would like to thank its media partners: L'Express & Le Métropolitain newspapers, Radio-Canada TV & radio CJBC 860 AM, Première Chaîne and Clic Toronto.

Special thanks go out to the selection committee and to our Gallery team:  Marc Audette (Curator}, Omid Fekri (Curator Assistant), Heather McRay & Adrienne Beaudry (Gallery Assistants), as well as to Cristina Raimondo (graphic designer).

Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Friday: noon – 3:00 pm - Saturday: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

For more information contact: 416-487-6721, www.glendon.yorku.ca/gallery

- 30 -

Source: Martine Rheault, Artistic Coordinator, 416-487-6859