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Urban Planner: March 3, 2009
Photo of P. Elaine Sharpe’s “Seated Figures” point-and-shoot camera courtesy of Jennifer Long.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Today kicks off OCAD‘s annual Faculty of Photography fundraiser, in support of undergraduate financial aid and scholarships. In preparation for this year’s event, over fifty point-and-shoot cameras were placed in the hands of local artists, comedians, actors, musicians, curators, and the like. Participants include Kenny Vs. Spenny‘s Kenny Hotz, Degrassi‘s Amanda Stepto, photographer Robyn Cumming, musician Sebastien Grainger, and Mike Small from the Meligrove Band. The hand-decorated undeveloped cameras will be on display alongside their bidding forms on the second floor of OCAD. The auction runs until March 14, and if you’d like to place a reserve bid, stop by the exhibit next Tuesday night between 6 and 7:30 p.m., when auction representatives will be present to assist you. OCAD Level 2 Display Case Windows (100 McCaul Street), 12–8 p.m., FREE.
WORDS: This evening at Hart House, author Xinran Xue will appear in discussion with Toronto journalist John Anderson Fraser to celebrate the release of her new book, China Witness: Voices From a Silent Generation. The book will reveal many private stories and unbelievable testimonies from the women and men who grew up in China during Mao Zedong‘s reign, and witnessed the rapid transformation of their country following the Cultural Revolution. A decidedly rare account of modern Chinese history, China Witness exposes fascinating first-hand accounts stories from teachers, Red Guards, naval generals, taxi drivers, farmers, and more. Following the interview, Xinran will sign copies of her book. Hart House Debates Room (7 Hart House Circle), 7:30 p.m., FREE.
LECTURES: Join Partners in Art and the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery this evening for a special lecture with writer and artist Anselm Franke. Franke is currently in town for Justina M. Barnicke Gallery’s new International Curator Residency program. He’ll be speaking tonight about the research he’s doing in Toronto for his upcoming exhibit, “Animism,” which aims to examine the transgression of artistic boundaries in the contemporary art world juxtaposed with the history of aesthetic subjectivication and desubjectification. Or something. University College Room 140 (15 King’s College Circle), 7–8 p.m., FREE.