Metamorphosis

On June 4, AGO First Thursdays takes inspiration from the exhibition Stephen Andrews POV, bringing together a cross-section of extraordinary local and international artists around the themes of transformation and metamorphosis.

Nineteen-year-old R&B producer, beatmaker and Soundcloud sensation Harrison headlines the event. Exclaim called his debut EP, Colors, “incredibly exciting” and Complex called it “bombastic, dizzying, affecting dance music.” He’s joined by DJ Produzentin and Das Hussy and DJ Regina (of Light Fires), spinning all night long.

Stephen Andrews himself presents a new iteration of his 2001 work The First Part of the Second Half at the event. The work, which quotes film conventions and seminal experimental filmmakers including Derek Jarman, Stan Brakhage and Andy Warhol, is an allegory of resurrection played out as a love story. A series of filmstrips, originally presented individually on gallery walls, are spliced together for the first time, creating an animated film. First Thursdays is the only opportunity to see this work during the run of Stephen Andrews POV, and for one night only the live accompanying soundtrack is performed by iconic Canadian artist, vocalist , composer and actress Mary Margaret O’Hara, supported by Peggy Lee on cello and Aidan Closs on percussion and electronics.

U.K.-based Colombian artist Carlos Maria Romero presents his work Names of All Spectators, which explores the connection between the body, sculpture and the viewer. Hear about the featured exhibition Stephen Andrews POV from internationally renowned artist and one-time studio assistant to Andrews, Paul P., as well as Canadian Art magazine’s associate editor, David Balzer (author of Curationism). Incoming AGO artist-in-residence Meera Margaret Singh will also give a pop-up talk related to her work installed in the Gallery.

Get hands-on with art-making: draw a live model using only the CMYK colours (a nod to Andrews' paintings) and work with professional ceramic artist Karin Pavey and make your own vessel out of Model Magic using clay tools and techniques. Learn hand-building techniques such as coiling, pinching and slab, and stamp your final product with wooden tools and stamps.

And of course, it wouldn’t be an AGO First Thursday without delicious food and drinks and good friends. Follow the #AGO1st hashtag on Twitter and Instagram for updates on AGO First Thursdays. Join the Facebook event to share and invite friends.