Critical Writing Index

Video In Canada: In Search of Authority

by Renee Baert

From Sea to Shining Sea, 1986, pp. 170-179

Toronto: The Power Plant, 1986

This essay, from the catalogue for the exhibition From Sea to Shining Sea, examines how video, a medium in search of its own authority, is confounded by its myriad functions. After more than a decade of history, its virtual exclusion from established venues of presentation requires the constant cultivation of a context in which it can exist. Further examined are the artists and the network of artist run centres across Canada that supported video as an artistic medium.

ITEM 1986.033 – available for viewing in the Research Centre

Videos, Artworks and Artists Cited

Media WallDave Rimmer, Bill Fix and Tom Shandel

Images from InfinityByron Black

Qu'est ce qu'on a fait au bon Dieu?Yves Chaput

Pea SoupPierre Falardeau and Julien Poulin

A Very Personal StoryLisa Steele

The Ballad of Dan PeoplesLisa Steele

True/FalseColin Campbell

Real SplitColin Campbell

This is the way I really AmColin Campbell

Light OnGeneral Idea

ShuffleDoug Waterman

FillDavid Askevold

Keeping On Top Of The SongIan Murray

We All Sing the Same SongGlenn Lewis

Steel and FlesthEric Metcalfe

Sax IslandEric Metcalfe

The Mainstreet TapesPaul Wong

Prime CutsPaul Wong

100 Years of AgressionKim Tomczak

Vancouver Canada Or They Chant Fed UpKim Tomczak

Paradise LostKim Tomczak

One Hundred Aboriginal WomenAmelia Productions

Keeping Marlene Out of the Picture - And LawnEric Cameron

Once Upon the Idea of TwoNoel Harding

Nightmare (Three Essays for Edward O. Wilson)Ed Slopek

Memoir d'octobreJean-Pierre Boyer

Chaperons RougesHelen Doyle and Helene Bourgault

The Scientist TapesColin Campbell and Lisa Steele

The Woman From MalibuColin Campbell

Bad GirlsColin Campbell

Waiting for LancelotLisa Steele

GloriaLisa Steele

The Secret Life of Cornelia Lumsden, A Remarkable StoryVera Frenkel

The Mississippi TapesJane Wright