Fiona Tan’s prescient News from the Near Future (2003) is a nine-and-a-half-minute video montage of watery images drawn from the Amsterdam Filmmuseum archive, reported Toronto Life in its February issue. While the work – at the Art Gallery of York University from Jan. 25 until April 2 – was created before Hurricane Katrina or the Asian tsunami, viewing it in the context of these events inspires a potent mixture of anxiety and awe, wrote reviewer Betty Ann Jordan. The flood is an ancient metaphor for destruction and regeneration, and Tan is comfortable with its implacability. In trademark poetic fashion, she reminds us that all is tempered by time and tide.
Grad wins silver at Francophonie games
Fredericton photographer Eleni Bakopoulos represented New Brunswick and Canada in the cultural component of the Jeux de la Francophonie Games held in Niger, Africa, in from Dec. 7 to 17, reported the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal Jan. 13. She came home with a silver medal, new inspiration as well as worldwide recognition. Bakopoulos, 33, was one of two Canadian photographers invited to the Games. Twenty-two photographers were selected by jury from 55 participating member countries. Bakopoulos earned a master of fine arts in visual arts from York in 1999 and is the director of Gallery Connexion, an artist-run centre for contemporary art in Fredericton. Her metre-high photographs often reflect her Greek heritage.
On air
- Political scientist Fred Fletcher, director of the joint York/Ryerson graduate program, Communications & Culture, discussed election campaign ads and the practice of using parts of media reports in political ads, on CBC Radio’s “Calgary Eye Opener” Jan. 12.
- Grace Yogaretnam
, a York environmental studies undergraduate and Green Party candidate for Mississauga-Brampton South, discussed the campaign and why she decided to run for public office, on CBC Radio 1’s “Here and Now” Jan. 12.
- Prime Minister Paul Martin promised to deliver $180 million for four high profile research projects in the Greater Toronto Area (at York University, University of Toronto and Waterloo University), reported CBC Radio’s “Metro Morning” and “London News” and CFRB-AM’s “John Moore Show” and “Six O`Clock News Hour” in Toronto Jan. 12.
- Michael Mandel
, a professor of international law at York’s Osgoode Hall Law School, discussed how no change in Mideast policy is expected concerning Israel, on “Studio Aperto” on CFMT-TV Jan. 12.
- The subway expansion to York University was among the topics raised by callers to York Centre candidates on Roger TV’s call-in show “Goldhawk” Jan. 12.
- A York student asked Prime Minister Paul Martin about his proposal to scrap the notwithstanding clause from Canada’s Constitution, during a town hall discussion in Guelph hosted by Peter Mansbridge on CBC-TV’s “The National” Jan. 12.
- Jack Granatstein
, professor emeritus of history at York, talked about Prime Minister Paul Martin making references to him during a visit to Markham, Ont., on “Adler On Line” on CJOB-AM in Winnipeg Jan. 12.