Canadian + Film + Video

Featuring 5 short films where the poetics and immense generosity of the filmmakers builds emotional and concrete worlds through an examination of their grief and loss while also illustrating their quest for healing. 

This program was selected by curators Alexandra Gelis and Madi Piller and features works by Collectif HAT, Louise Bourque, Mike Rollo, Allison Stevens and Petunia Alves.

Join us on April 8th @ 8PM EST, in-person + live-streamed, film performance by Collectif HAT at PIX FILM in TORONTO. 

In 2022, VP launched their first-ever Video Commission Residency (VCR) during which they commissioned 4 artists to create new works responding to the prompt of “channel surfing.”

The artists featured are Warren Chan (ON), Jaye Kovach (SK), Sarah Boo (ON), and pluetoe (MB); each of whom produced unique and clever perspectives on the theme.
 

In 2023, the Labo wanted to revisit the traditional interview exercise for a new video capsule project. The center opened its doors to 11 Toronto artists whose stories they wanted to tell in an offbeat, modern and intimate video format. This first collection of portraits, entitled "Through the Lens of Le Labo: Bulles d'artistes", offers a showcase of francophone artists who rarely speak in the traditional media to make them better known to the general public.
No VUCAVU user account is required to access this program.​

SURGES is an online ecosystem of seven virtual environments presented by IOTA Institute in partnership with VUCAVU. This project invites artists to design online exhibition spaces with technical support, to create experiences for audiences beyond linear visual aesthetics.

Artworks explore vibrational haptics, interactive instruments, 360 video, and augmented reality to create multisensory online experiences and encounters. 

 

Since the platform’s inception and in direct consultation with our content partners, VUCAVU has wanted to make the independently made Canadian film and video art in our shared catalogue more accessible in educational settings. Through innovative thinking and in keeping the fair payment of artists at the forefront, we are developing digital solutions to make this possible!
 

Since launching our platform in 2017, we have collaborated with curators and programmers from across the country to present film and video programs available for free streaming for a limited time. Each program includes a critical curatorial essay that explores the overarching themes and selections. After the free viewing period has expired, we encourage the public to read the essays and rent the works individually.

A digital strategy initiative supported by a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts in 2019, matching funds from the Toronto Arts Council and MITACS Accelerate funding programs as well as many independent programming and content partnerships from 2020–2021.

The primary goal was to broaden access to using the VUCAVU platform by art organizations beyond our 8 founding partners and to diversify the ways we can serve the Canadian arts community and their audiences.