Sometimes we make it, sometimes we use it,
and a lot of times, we hang out for it
Contemporary Canadian video collection

In response to the invitation to participate in the video award/exhibition organized by the +gallery in Nagoya, Japan last summer, I compiled a collection of video projects for the Canadian component of the exhibition. With few exceptions, I selected the projects of artists whose general practice I am familiar with and attracted to, rather than respective video pieces. I see that some of these artists are exclusively “video makers”, while others approach the medium more as “video users” in order to best compliment their
various other practices. Many of these artists seem to incorporate art into life or life into art in order to live better, and by choice or not by choice, adopt a do-it-yourself strategy. Furthermore, none of these artists are currently related to the commercial sector, and yet, they, as professional artists, seem to deal with the notions and conditions of “success” or “living as an artist” in professional terms. My curatorial premise also vaguely aspires to convey certain artistic approaches and attitudes towards artmaking as seen in Canadian contemporary art practice, which may reflect some influence of its social and artistic environment and the systems specific to that country. Having been supported by them over a decade, I feel that I am long due to start introducing these lesser-known aspects of Canadian art to Japan and generate a forum of exchange between the two countries.

Shinobu Akimoto