Released Thursday, October 2, 2008:
You're Invited to the Empty Orchestra Opening Reception
Thursday October 16th, 5:00 - 9:00 pm
Justina M. Barnicke Gallery
7 Hart House Circle, Hart House
University of Toronto
Exhibition runs from October 16 - November 13, 2008
Curated by: Maiko Tanaka & Heather Keung
Iichiro Tanaka: Classical Music Karaoke (video still), 2006 Courtesy of the Yuka Sasahara Gallery. With works by Candice Breitz, Wong Gongxin, Christian Jankowski, Karen Tam, Iichiro Tanaka.
Empty Orchestra explores karaoke (the word from which the exhibition title is translated) and its relationship to contemporary art and cultural diasporas. Karaoke originated in the ‘70s in Japan, and quickly entered many other cultural contexts. The exhibition presents works by Canadian and international artists who embrace, challenge, and query notions of karaoke as a medium of individual expression and collective identity.
Examining the phenomenon as a commodified interface between technology and culture, the artists in the exhibition address karaoke's effects on social activity, diasporic communities, and popular culture in a global context. Empty Orchestra asks, among other questions, whether karaoke asserts a prescribed form of cultural expression, or, in its performative imperfections, allows possibilities for resistance.
Related Events:
Artist Talk with Karen Tam: Monday October 20th, 7:00 pm. Hart House, Room # TBA
Exhibition Closing Reception: Thursday November 13th, 7:00 - 11:00 pm
Karaoke After-Party: Thursday November 13th, 9:00 pm. Arbor Room, Hart House. Featuring Weekend Leisure, Vancouver-based karaoke video collective.
EMPTY ORCHESTRA LIVE!: Fri Nov 14, 8:30 pm at the Rivoli
Empty Orchestra LIVE! is the second half of a special presentation that examines the history and practices of Karaoke as cultural exchange. A collision of video visionaries and local Karaoke superstars. Ranging from Hip Hop to Elvis, Empty Orchestra’s special video commission and performance program merges the glitz of western Karaoke with the heartfelt crooning of its Japanese origins. Five performers sing along to new karaoke videos of their favourite songs, freshly commissioned from Canadian video artists by Reel Asian and Gendai Gallery. Commissioned videos include work from Ann Marie Fleming, Alison Kobayashi, Benny Nemerofsky Ramsay, Karilynn Ming Ho and Stephanie Comilang.
Released Wednesday, October 1, 2008:
2008 Passes On Sale Now!
Buy your passes early and save! For a limited time (October 1 - 21) advance pass purchases will be eligible for early-bird discounts. Click here for details and to buy your passes online!
- Festival Pass - $100 - price goes up to $120 after Oct 21!
- Screening Pass - $65 - price goes up to $95 after Oct 21!
- Industry Pass - $45
- 4-Pak - $25 - price goes up to $35 after Oct 21!
Regular pricing will apply as of October 22nd, so buy soon!
Released Tuesday, July 29, 2008:
So You Think You Can Pitch?
Are you thinking of making a short film? Need equipment? Support?
Then apply to the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival and Charles Street Video’s third annual pitch competition.
Two award categories for EMERGING and ESTABLISHED filmmakers. Filmmaking teams will walk away with $10,000* (emerging category) and $18,000* (established category) worth of production and post services, artist’s fees and a one-year membership at Charles Street Video (CSV). Click here to download the application form
and details (PDF)
(MSWord)
Deadline: 4pm on Monday September 29th, 2008
* Estimated value at industry rental rates
Released Tuesday, July 15, 2008:
FREE Screening of a Kung Fu Classic - July 19
 Reel Asian, Alliance Films/Dragon Dynasty and Kung Fu Fridays present a free screening of...
Heroes of the East (中華丈夫)
Lau Kar-leung (劉家良) | Hong Kong 1978 | 100min | DVD
FREE | 2:30 PM | Saturday, July 19, 2008 | Innis Town Hall | 2 Sussex Avenue | Cantonese with English subtitles
In attendance will be the film's lead actor, Shaw Brothers film legend Gordon Liu (劉家輝), star of classic kung fu films such as 36th Chamber of Shaolin. More recently, long-time fan Quentin Tarantino cast Liu in both volumes of his Kill Bill epic. Gordon Liu will be available to sign autographs after the screening.
Advance reservations to this event are NOW CLOSED, but a limited number of RUSH seats will be available at the door starting at 1:00 PM. First-come, first-served, so please arrive early to avoid disappointment. Please note that reservations are not guaranteed after 2:15pm and unclaimed seats WILL be released to the rush line at that time.
Released Monday, June 9, 2008:
Reel Asian Co-Presents at Worldwide Short Film Festival
Released Wednesday, May 21, 2008:
CBC Community Film Screenings - May 30 & 31
More..
Released Tuesday, May 13, 2008:
Reel Asian Spring Showcase: May 23-25
NEW! PANEL ADDED TO SATURDAY LINEUP! Read the PDF for details.
PROGRAMMING ANNOUNCED! Click here!
Hong Kong superstar Andy
Lau shines in A Battle of Wits, the opening night gala presentation of our free film weekend at York University on May 23, 24, and 25. Three days, seven screenings, local premieres and encore presentations, all celebrating Asian Heritage Month, and all FREE!
Released Tuesday, February 12, 2008:
Submit Your Film to Reel Asian!
 Canada's premier pan-Asian international film festival is now accepting submissions for its 12th edition, November 12-16, 2008. Read more about how to submit!
Early Deadline: May 16, 2008 (no entry fee)
Final Deadline: June 16, 2008 ($10 CAD entry fee)
Released Friday, April 25, 2008:
(Reel) Asian Heritage Month 2008!
 Reel Asian is taking part in Asian Heritage Month celebrations this year with special outreach to communities outside the downtown core. Click below to find out what we'll be doing soon in a location near you:
MAY 5 - Richmond Hill
MAY 6 - Agincourt
MAY 14 - York Woods
Released Thursday, May 1, 2008:
Raymond Phathanavirangoon Named TIFF Programmer
 Congratulations to Reel Asian's International Programmer, Raymond Phathanavirangoon (pictured right), on his appointment as Southeast Asian Programmer for the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival!
Phathanavirangoon, formerly of Fortissimo Films and based in Hong Kong, will be moving to Toronto next month to begin co-programming for TIFF alongside veteran programmer Giovanna Fulvi. Phathanavirangoon will continue to be Reel Asian's International Programmer.
Released Monday, April 21, 2008:
Reel Asian in Chicago
|
 |
Reel Asian has just returned from Chicago where we were promoting 