Talk by Ho Tam

Description:

Ho Tam presented an artist talk in the Grand Luxe Hall that reflected on past videos, paintings, and publishing projects, as well as new work developed while in residence at Western Front. 

In February 2005, Tam participated in the Canadian Forces Artist Program, which invites artists to experience and make art about the operations of the Forces. Over the course of ten days, he traveled with the Royal Canadian Navy on the HMCS Calgary from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to the Esquimalt Naval Base in British Columbia. During this period, Tam took video footage, photographs, and notes towards the creation of his project Romances (2006). While in residence at Western Front, Tam reconstructed these documents to develop a fictional narrative examining different fascinations with naval life and sea travel. To conclude his hour-long presentation, Tam presented an excerpt from this new three-channel video work. The screening was followed by a question and answer period. 

Video documentation of this event is available upon request.