Tailings Pool | A temporary public art project by Tsēmā Igharas

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About

Plug In Institute of Contemporary’s STAGES 2021 biennial is pleased to present Tailings Pool, a temporary public art project by Tsēmā Igharas, which will take place offsite at 87 Higgins Ave from September 17 to October 3, 2021.

This is an outdoor public artwork. The piece will be open to the public for viewing from 12 - 5 pm Tuesday to Saturday. The artwork will be enclosed with a fence when gallery staff is not on site.

This is the third iteration of the STAGES biennial presented by Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art. This year’s exhibition focuses on a Tailings Pool, a temporary public art project by Tsēmā Igharas, which will take place offsite at 87 Higgins Ave from September 17 to October 3, 2021.

An inviting, shimmery turquoise pool of water or a festering cesspool of toxicity? That is the question being offered by Tsēmā, whose work satirizes our insatiable consumption of natural resources. Hiding in plain sight, making it all seem safe, are bodies of water that mining companies dot the landscape with to hold or ‘sanitize’ their work. More commonly, in our suburban environment, we see retention ponds, pools of water that capture the pollutants and a feeble attempt to make safe what is unsafe. Tailings Pool is an invitation to ponder our relationship with reality and fantasy, how we hide what we don’t like with what we wish it could be. Tsēmā’ s Tailings Pool will invite the audience to a ditzy, kitschy, campy pool party that will be an active exploration of how we engage with the uncomfortable and how we make what causes discomfort and dress it up to our projections.

To celebrate the launch of Tailings Pool, Plug In ICA will host a Pool Party on Friday, September 17 from 7 to 11 pm at 87 Higgins Ave. Poolside performances will take place throughout the evening. Guests are invited to arrive in beachside attire.

Please join us at the 87 Higgins location the following day, Saturday, September 18 at 3 pm for an artist talk by Tsēmā Igharas.

What to expect: Proof of vaccination will be required for entrance into both events. Events will be outdoors and dependent on the weather and current COVID restrictions. Visit plugin.org for up to date protocols.

Tsēmā Igharas is an interdisciplinary artist and member of the Tahltan Nation. She uses Potlatch methodology to create conceptual artwork and teachings influenced by her mentorship in Northwest Coast Formline Design at K’saan (2005/06), her studies in visual culture, and time in the mountains. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Emily Carr University of Art and Design (2011) and graduated from the Interdisciplinary Master’s in Art, Media and Design program at OCADu showing her thesis work, LAND|MINE that connects materials to mine sites and bodies to the land. Tsēmā has won the 2018 Emily Award for outstanding ECUAD alumni; is 1/25 2020 Sobey award winners; has shown and performed in various places in Canada and internationally in Sweden, Mexico, USA and Chile.

Links

• Plug In ICA website plugin.org

Organizer

Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art

Established in 1972, Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art is Canada’s oldest ICA with a holistic mandate to support all aspects of art-making by presenting, producing and circulating contemporary art through research, exhibitions, publications, education, outreach and advocacy. Plug In ICA continually addresses itself to these core questions: what is contemporary art, how does it function in and define community, and what is its social value?