2012 HALF OF THE DARKNESS PREFIX TORONTO
HALF OF THE DARKNESS 2010
Prefix Institute of Contemporary Art TORONTO, 2012
PASCAL GRANDMAISON PLUMBS THE DEPTHS OF PHOTOGRAPHY AT PREFIX
(Toronto) – Prefix Institute of Contemporary Art is pleased to present Half of the Darkness, a solo exhibition by Québecois artist Pascal Grandmaison, curated by Scott McLeod. Consisting of a massive archive of negative photographic prints, the installation considers the history and technology of the medium, drawing upon its specific properties as a mode of visual representation. The exhibition is accompanied by an essay by contemporary art historian Anja Bock, published in Prefix Photo 25.
An opening reception, in conjunction with the release party for Prefix Photo 25, will be held on Thursday, May 3 from 7 to 10 PM at Prefix, located at 401 Richmond Street West, Suite 124, Toronto. The artist, writer and curator will be present. The gallery is open from Wednesday to Saturday, 12 to 5 PM, and admission is free. The exhibition continues until July 21, 2012.
At first glance, the subject matter of Half of the Darkness might seem unclear. Upon closer inspection, however, it becomes evident that these photographic prints, thoughtfully arranged on three low plinths, have been culled from assorted books and archival documents that span the history of the medium. Despite their number and diversity, nearly all of the images depict human beings in relation to their environment, often in positions of control and domination. By means of his strategy of negative inversion, Grandmaison points to traditional photography’s ability to generate an infinite number of reproductions from a single negative, and at the same time, he reveals photography to be fundamentally subjective and constructed.
About the Curator
Scott McLeod is a writer, curator and arts administrator. His work focuses on contemporary practices, with a specialization in photography, media and digital art. Since 2000, he has been the director and curator of Prefix Institute of Contemporary Art, where he also serves as the editor and publisher of Prefix Photo magazine.
About Prefix
Prefix Institute of Contemporary Art is a public art gallery and arts publishing house based in Toronto. A registered charitable organization, Prefix fosters the appreciation and understanding of contemporary photographic, media and digital arts. In 2010, Prefix celebrated ten years of programming excellence.
