Professor Jennifer Fisher from York University's School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD), alongside co-curator Jim Drobnick, recently launched the exhibition Archives by Artists at the Archives of Ontario. Presenting a captivating collection of works that challenge traditional understanding, this unique exhibition explores the intersection of art and archives.
Archives by Artists is based on the idea of artists using archives as a medium for their work. Archives are often viewed as static repositories of documents and records; however, in this exhibition, the archive is reimagined through the lens of "multiples"—works created in editions and disseminated in affordable ways that invite interaction and personal interpretation. These multiples range from photographs and letters to perfumes and found objects. The result is a dynamic experience where visitors, much like researchers, engage with these objects and explore the diverse ways artists interact with archival materials.
"Multiples allow for a more intimate engagement with art,” says Professor Fisher. “They’re affordable, tangible and circulate widely, offering a playful yet meaningful way for audiences to interact with the work."
The Archives by Artists exhibition features 15 works from 18 artists, including Christian Boltanski, Dora Garcia, Camille Turner & Yaniya Lee, Dieter Roth and Danh Vo, each contributing to the overarching theme of rethinking archival practice. Many of these archival works are rare. The pieces are organized around several key themes, including autobiography, conceptual process, interventions and fiction.
Engaging the AMPD and Ontario Art Communities
The exhibition has served as a valuable learning experience for students at AMPD, who were given the opportunity to engage with archival materials firsthand. As part of the project, Fisher integrated the exhibition into the curriculum, with both undergraduate and graduate students engaging directly with the works on display.
Additionally, the Archives by Artists symposium hosted by the Archives of Ontario, in conjunction with the exhibition, featured a roundtable discussion with archivists, artists and the curators. Participants explored the role of archives in contemporary art practice and the challenges of preserving intangible cultural memories.
The next iteration of the exhibition will open at La Galerie UQO in Gatineau, Québec in 2025, offering an expanded version of these works.