Still there are seeds to be gathered 2024

A Daniels Visual Studies Undergraduate Thesis Exhibition

Opening Reception: April 12th, 2024, 6pm-9pm

On View: April 12-14, 2024, 11am-5pm

Located at SPACE on King, 300 King St. E, Toronto, ON, M5A 1K4

 

When a seed is exposed to the proper conditions for growth, germination begins. Roots start to stretch and plant themselves in the soil. Later, the sprout pushes through as well, reaching for the sun. As the plant grows, it becomes a reflection of its environment while looking towards new ground.

 

Still there are seeds to be gathered features 18 individuals across disciplines as artists, writers, and researchers, to culminate their efforts and practices within the Daniels Faculty Visual Studies program. While this show exhibits the accumulation of thesis research and processes across the Visual Studies program, it also marks the completion of our undergraduate degrees. Taking our proximity to what feels like the end, Still there are seeds to be gathered cherishes the great depth of knowledge we have embodied over the years. The show title stems from Ursula K. Le Guin’s “The Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction”—a point of reference for the thematics of generating and holding on to knowledge while entertaining the potential of future relations to arrive. In the early weeks of our thesis course, our class held a discussion of Le Guin’s text. The concluding statement, “Still there are seeds to be gathered, and room in the bag of stars,” sparked an unknown feeling that borders the poetics of our completed time in school as well as a rethinking of our projects as ever-changing. As a ‘non’-ending phrase, Le Guin uses it to mark this text as ‘unfinished,’ citing the space for transformation and growth. In the context of this exhibition, the research each student has taken upon themselves has not reached a ‘conclusion.’ Each thesis project poses a question vital to its artist, one that will continue to be explored beyond the scope of this exhibition.

 

Le Guin highlights the universal act of gathering, something inherent to the human condition which remains unchanging despite rapid shifts in our relationship with the Earth. As artists and researchers, the concept of gathering extends beyond physical objects; writers, artists, poets, scientists, and personal relationships all stand as references gathered throughout our studies and beyond. In this sense, the work of art is the carrier bag of the artist; it is where one’s collection of sources is stored and transformed through their reimagination. Similar to Le Guin’s writing, a thesis is a speculation upon what may unfold as our carrier bags increase in weight and size. Rather than weighing us down, they can provide a sense of buoyancy as we now have the tools to navigate independent—as well as interdependent—research. Despite ups and downs, critique and praise, the learning which has been conducted over the years is a testament to what can be achieved through supportive efforts.

 

These last few months of accumulative work have manifested individually for each project; however, it is through togetherness we begin to thrive and build upon one another’s thinking. As we hike through this grand forest and look up from between the trees, their branches, twisting and turning, cloud the sky; a symbol of limbs choreographed to reach for each other. We flourish within this web created through various points of connection between our projects. As we worked amongst each other for the past year, we came to see our plurality as a strength to build upon.

 

This publication not only works as an archival tool but also a bridge between artistic research and writing. While this year has always felt like a lead up to the final display of the visual and the experiential, our publication tries to complicate that belief. The following pages hold a year’s worth of finalized research as well as reflections of thinking from years prior. The accumulation of knowledge is a never ending story. We present to you the portraits of 18 artists and everything in their carrier bags.

 

In the words of Le Guin, “Full of beginnings without ends, of initiations, of losses, of transformation and translations, and far more tricks than conflicts, far fewer triumphs than snares and delusions; full of spaceships that get stuck, missions that fail and people who don’t understand. I said it was hard to make a gripping tale about how we wrested the wild oats from their husk, I didn’t say it was impossible. Who ever said writing a novel was easy?”

 

From us to you,

Ella Spitzer-Stephan, Satyam Mistry, Nusha Naziri, Auden Tura, and Olive Wei

Still there are seeds to be gathered features the work of Evan Bulloch, Noemi Cabalbag, Paris Chen, Ashley Gu, Rania Haider, Joy Li, Alex Lyu, Satyam Mistry, Nusha Naziri, Salma Ragheb, Irene Song, Ella Spitzer-Stephan, Auden Tura, Janie Wang, Maxen Wang, Olive Wei, Nara Wrigglesworth, and Lilian Zeng.

 

A PDF of our publication can be downloaded here:

StillThereAreSeedsToBeGathered-Publication

Find us on Instagram!

 

Finally, we would like everyone who made this show possible.

To Karen Kraven and Gareth Long, thank you for your guidance throughout the year.

Our generous sponsors, The University of Toronto and John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, SPACE on King, Gwartzman’s Art Supplies, Quatro Security Printing, and SKIN BY VEE®.

Thank you to Hannah Brokenshire, Richard Ashman, Alex Ponomaroff, Alex Gaskin, Eugene Wang, Joe Rogal, Amy George, and Harry Choi for all the help behind-the-scenes.

Thank you to A Different Booklist, Above Ground Art Supplies, Arts Market, Bellwoods Books, Carrie Jia, Eunice Luk, John Monteith, Katie Lyle, Micah Lexier, Mrs Huizenga, Odd Finds General Store, Ruth Spitzer Lab, Samara Contemporary, The Art of Demolition, The Monkey’s Paw, Thrift Thus, Toutoune Gallery, TOWN The Store, Yiu Hei Cheung, and Zoinks! Music and Books for your donations.