On Wednesday, May 17th from 4:30-6pm, Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art presented a short screening and panel discussion with the participants of our second session of Interpreting [Interrupting] Youth program (IIY).

For this screening IIY participants Tiago Batista, Christian Demanoy, Augustine Chipalata, Gideon Kitsa and Hera Nalam presented a short interpretive video they created in collaboration with Plug In ICA, Just TV and the Broadway Neighbourhood Center. The resulting video is a visual reflection of the youth’s collective and individual experience of the two exhibitions currently on display at Plug In ICA: Patrick Cruz’s “Titig Kayumanggi (Brown Gaze)” and Ray Fenwick’s “A Greenhouse. Evening”. For this session of the program, participants had the opportunity to see the work as it was being installed, and speak directly with both artists about their process and ideas. The event commenced with a casual reception from 4:30–5:30, followed by a screening and panel discussion with IIY participants moderated by Sarah Nesbitt.

Interpreting [Interrupting] Youth is designed for youth ages 16 to 24. The program reverses a pre-existing interpretive model used within arts institutions that often produce short videos as educational devices. These often include interviews with artists or curators, images of artworks and installation shots; they often reference artists’ biographies, previous artworks, and at times, glimpse into artists’ studios. These videos are usually presented online or within the gallery or museum in close proximity to the artworks, and tend to place an emphasis on the artist’s and institution’s intention over the experience of the viewer.

The Interpreting [Interrupting] Youth program inversely begins with the youth’s experience of the artwork, challenging conventional models of art interpretation by overturning basic roles of authority and authorship.

The next session begins August 16th, 2017. To apply to the IIY program, or for more information about this and other education programs, please contact Sarah Nesbitt atsarah@plugin.org. For general information please contact: info@plugin.org or call 1.204.942.1043.

This program is sponsored in part by Payworks and Wawanesa Insurance. We thank Just TV for their dedicated and expert partnership.

Plug In ICA extends our heartfelt gratitude to our generous donors, valued members, and dedicated volunteers. You make a difference.

We gratefully acknowledge the Manitoba Arts Council and Winnipeg Arts Council. We thank the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts for their support of our 2016 and 2017 program, as well as Payworks and Wawanesa Insurance for the direct support of our youth programs.

Plug In ICA relies on community support to remain free and accessible to all, and enable us to continue to present excellent programs. Please consider becoming a member of Plug In ICA and a donor at plugin.org/support or by contacting Angela Forget:angela@plugin.org

Related exhibits:
Ray Fenwick: A Greenhouse. Evening.
Patrick Cruz: Titig Kayumanggi (Brown Gaze)