Taking the form of an independent video store, Under New Management intertwines our expectations of value and commerce into a forum of audience engagement. Part exhibition of video art titles, and part exchange library, UNM ask its audiences to determine their value of art. Curated by Toronto-based Suzanne Carte and Su-Ying Lee, the show operates as a functioning pop-up video store carrying 205 titles from a largely Canadian roster of just over 100 artists. Customers don't have to become members, nor do they have to use money to take out the titles. Working from an honour system, forms of exchange are open and flexible, ranging in the past from objects, tasks, and even feedback. By removing money as the principle currency, each exchange for art occurs in the hope of expanding our value systems.
Under New Management at Access Gallery, installation view
Looking through the rows of titles along the walls before a programmed screening, I could not discern a catalogue system or a theme. While an attempt was made to showcase more Chinese-language titles to reflect Access Gallery's location in what's left of Vancouver's Chinatown, that intention was not palpable from the open-call selection. I liked the hand painted signage the best.
Perusing a physical wall of video art titles, each carrying the gravitas of private home or office consumption, I wasn't surprised in my lack of interest in the selection. Especially due to the nature of video art, which circulates en masse across festival screens, databases like Vtape, and as shareable links, most of these works have either been seen before or remain a click away.
While admittedly my position as reviewer does deviate from a passer byer who may by chance come in and experience video art for the first time, the context is still within a gallery, where unfortunately, the majority of attendees are artists, curators, critics, and other arts professionals. Under New Management is a welcome engagement, but would have fared better if it remained a pop-up store outside of the gallery context.
Note: A selection of programmed screenings accompanies the exhibition. See the gallery website for more information.
Access Gallery: http://accessgallery.ca/current/
Under New Management continues until September 7.
Amy Fung is a writer and organizer who publishes nationally and internationally in journals, magazines, catalogues, and monographs in print and online. She is the Programs Manager at Cineworks Independent Filmmakers Society and her ongoings can be found at POSTpacificPOST.com and on Twitter @someasianbitch. She is Akimblog's Vancouver correspondent.
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Under New Management at Access Gallery
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