Location! Location! Location!

A panel discussion about: HOME, DOMESTICITY and DISPLACEMENT
Gas Station Theatre October 12, 2023 7:00 pm
Speakers: Taylor Buss Denis Prieur Niki Saghari Moderator: Sarah Ciurysek

ARTIST BIOS

Biography

Tayler Buss is an artist working on Treaty 1 Territory in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Through mold-making, casting, photography, and sculptural processes, her work explores the theme of liminality, and how objects and images are liminal spaces. Her process recontextualizes found objects and images into unfamiliar/familiar assemblages. Tayler holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (hons.) from the University of Manitoba School of Art. Her most recent solo show, DogDogDog, was shown at La Maison des Artistes Visuels in November 2022.

Statement

My practice explores the theme of liminality and the slippage in its definition. My interest in these themes began in University while I was mainly studying photography. During my studies, I mainly focused on creating still-life images of secondhand objects. I was interested in the semiotics of each object, and how these unusual combinations disrupted the objects’ original meaning and function. The result was an uncanny assemblage of unique objects in one composition.

I use this same process and inquiry to create my sculptural pieces. My sculptures are made of secondhand materials such as hair extensions, secondhand motel blankets, and repurposed lumber. Similar to my photographs, these sculptures recontextualize familiar objects in an unfamiliar assemblage. The sculpture thus rests in a liminal state in multiple ways. It is both familiar and unfamiliar, an art object and functional object.

Much of my sculptural practice is informed by my photographic process. My sculptural practice has developed the conceptual core of my photographic practice. When beginning a new sculpture, I reference Internet images of furniture, domestic spaces, and my personal archive of iPhone photos. I use these images as ‘sketches’ for the sculptural piece. I have recently begun reincorporating imagery into my sculptural work.

Denis Prieur is a Canadian visual artist from Winnipeg, Manitoba and a graduate of the University of Manitoba (BFA). He has exhibited in Winnipeg and Ottawa and his works are part of various private collections across Canada. His current photographic practice is based on Domesticity, where his role as a stay at home dad informs his opportunities for artistic creation within the confinement of the home. In stark contrast to the real life energy and chaos of family life, this collection of images suggest a transient human presence and contemplative narrative that conceals as much as it reveals. Denis Prieur has also worked various roles in the artistic community including that of  Cultural Coordinator at l’Université de St-Boniface and Artistic Director at La Maison des artistes in St-Boniface, MB.

 Statement

As a stay-at-home dad, my journey into the world of photography has been a humble yet profound exploration of self-expression. My art revolves around capturing the beauty in the mundane, weaving a tapestry of emotions through candid shots of my daily life. By focusing on the ordinary, my lens uncovers the extraordinary moments that often go unnoticed.

 Amid the post-pandemic world, my art has evolved into a cathartic process, helping me find solace in the face of confusion. The lockdowns and isolation have turned my domestic sphere into a sanctuary for creative exploration. Photography became my refuge amidst uncertainty, allowing me to find meaning in the seemingly mundane tasks of daily chores.

By embracing vulnerability, I have discovered a unique perspective on my role as a stay-at-home dad. My images transcend conventional gender roles, capturing the joy and fulfillment that comes from nurturing and caring for my family. It has allowed me to challenge societal norms and redefine masculinity, embracing a new form of strength that lies in compassion and tenderness

Navigating the current state of the world, my photography reflects the complexity of emotions that we all grapple with. Through open and honest visual storytelling, I attempt to foster a sense of connection and understanding, rising above the barriers that divide us in these confusing times.

Biography

Niki Saghari is an Iranian multidisciplinary artist based in Canada. Prior to immigration, she attended Tehran University of Art and held her bachelors in Photography. Following her graduation, she participated in group shows at Silk Road Gallery (IR), Negrakhane Honar (IR), and a solo show at the School of Art Gallery (Winnipeg). She also performed nationally and internationally in Molavi Hall (IR), La Nef (FR), International Theatre Festival, Olympia in Dion (GR), and the School of Art Gallery (Winnipeg). She holds an MFA from the University of Manitoba. Today, she continues to explore the intricate tapestry of human experiences, migration, and identity through her art.

 Brief Statement

During the panel discussion at the Flash Festival, I aim to delve into my personal journey and background. To commence, I'd like to share a bit about my life. I pursued my passion for photography in Iran, and afterward, I immigrated to Canada to study MFA.

I will talk about the challenges I encountered as an immigrant in a new country and how these challenges became a central theme in my artistic work. For me, art has served as a form of therapy and a means of coping with the trials and tribulations of adapting to my new life.

I will initiate the discussion by focusing on my series titled Being Detached, emphasizing the theme of isolation that permeates this body of work. Subsequently, I will delve into The Remnants of Moments, a photo transfer series that explores the stories of others who have experienced displacement and migration. (If I have time, I will show a short part of the Threads of Echoes video which was displayed alongside The Ramenets of Moments series)

In conclusion, I will touch upon my performance piece, The Unseen Horizon, and my video installation series, Long Gone. These works represent the culmination of my artistic exploration into the profound and multifaceted experiences of immigration, isolation, and human displacement.