FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MOCA Toronto Presents: An Index
An Exhibition Showcasing Artists from the Museum’s Akin Studio Program
from July 25 to September 8, 2019
Toronto (June 24, 2019) – MOCA Toronto, an accessible and welcoming cultural hub that empowers Toronto’s artistic community, presents the first collective showing of work from artists in Akin’s MOCA Studio Program.
The exhibition, An Index, exposes work by this first cohort of residency artists who entered Akin’s Studio Program in September 2018. While the participating artists’ practices range widely in terms of conceptual approach, style and media; they have also been influenced to some degree by the experience of sharing and conversing within Akin’s open-plan studio structure for the last nine months.
To find common points of departure for an exhibition, MOCA has invited curators Marsya Maharani and Marjan Verstappen, associated with the Younger than Beyonce Gallery, to work with the 24 participating artists. The curators’ proposal, An Index, speaks to process and production, to the varied artistic approaches found within one context and the relationships built through this programme.
Taking their inspiration from Akin’s residency at MOCA, in the former Tower Automotive building, Maharani and Verstappen drew on the site’s history as a car parts factory and also a venue for raves and artist studios. “Throughout the past year, the fourth floor of MOCA served to extend this legacy by opening space for studios, residencies, as well as programmes exploring art’s utilitarian role in contemporary society,” they explained.
“In the context of the site’s histories, this exhibition features works by artists who have produced within this space as part of the inaugural Akin Studio Program. An Index makes visible the labours of artistic creation through an open and honest charting of the processes, challenges, delights, and failures of making art in the city.”
The exhibition comprises work in a variety of media from sculpture, to video, to new wall murals by:
Adria Mirabelli, Carrie Chisholm, David Constantino Salazar, Emily Woudenberg, Emma White, Eva Kolcze, Helen Liene Dreifelds, Humboldt Magnussen, Jennifer Dany Aubé, Jessica Thalmann, Jieun June Kim, Leone McComas, Liang Wang, Maren Boedeker, Nuff, Polymetis, Raoul Olou, Raquel Da Silva, Samar Hejazi, Sara Mozafari, Stephanie Avery, Su Bin Ee, Tanya Louise Workman, and Walter Segers.
An Index runs from July 24 to September 8, 2019 on MOCA Toronto’s floor 4.
About Akin
Akin was founded in 2008 with a modest 600 square foot loft at 48 Abell St. on Queen West in Toronto. Initially set up as a small studio for a group of friends, the organization has since grown to become the largest provider of shared artist studios in Toronto. Akin now provides affordable rental space to nearly 400 visual artists, designers and other creatives across 40,000 square feet of space across the city. The studios maintain a friendly and inspiring atmosphere where people can work on creative endeavours and entrepreneurial undertakings of all kinds.
In addition to providing affordable studio space Akin has developed a range of arts programming opportunities through the non-profit Akin Projects. Various arts focused programmes and educational events are hosted by Akin Projects on an ongoing basis. These include over 60 events each year across three streams: professional development opportunities for practicing artists, creative workshops and programmes, and community engagement projects with marginalized groups. As a matter of principle all Akin events are free or low cost and are open to the public.
For more information on Akin please visit www.akin.art
About the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto Canada
MOCA Toronto reopened in a 55,000 square foot facility on Sterling Road in September 2018. The new MOCA Toronto is a place of conversation, exchange and exploration, where visitors of all ages and backgrounds can be part of a global creative moment.
Awarded New Culture Destination of the Year 2018 (North America) by Leading Culture Destinations, MOCA features work from both Canadian and other international, ascending and world-renowned artists. Located in the culturally rich Junction Triangle community, the museum is housed in the historic Tower Automotive Building, a former aluminium factory.
Key partners bolster the museum experience, including a café by Forno Cultura and shop by Art Metropole. Additionally MOCA is home to studio collaborations with Akin and the Ontario Science Centre, as well as the offices of the Toronto Biennial of Art.
MOCA is a not-for-profit charitable organization. The evolution of the museum is made possible through a unique alliance with Castlepoint Greybrook Sterling Inc., public sector funders, private donors, members, sponsors and a network of cross-sectoral partners. For more information on MOCA Toronto visit mocalegacy.webpreview.site.
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For press inquiries contact:
Rachel Hilton
Managing Director
rhilton@mocalegacy.webpreview.site