Talk by Will Kwan

Description:

To coincide with the exhibition Stories from Places and Times Distantly Close curated by Liz Park, Will Kwan presented an artist talk in the Grand Luxe Hall that provided an overview of his works, including the two curated for the exhibition: Canaries (the bank and the treasury) (2007–12) (version 4) and Clocks that Do Not Tell the Time (2008). 

Seeking personal synthesis as an artistic methodology to drive his research and output, he approaches globalization, both seduced and troubled by its associations. Kwan presents his artistic works through widely recognized forms but born out of a personal inner processing of culturally -specific and -loaded materials—sometimes related to his own cultural identity—as well as references that claim universality, devoid of a cultural dimension. A so-called “mash up” and “contamination” of these materials produce a hybridized dialogue. 

Kwan’s presentation concluded with a question and answer period and subsequent reception.

Presented in partnership with the Contemporary Art Society of Vancouver.

Video documentation is available upon request.