Channel 51: Igloolik is an exhibition presented across Humber Galleries’ two locations celebrating 30 years of industry-changing video production coming out of Igloolik, a remote community of 1600 people in Nunavut. Channel 51: Igloolik – Chill Zone at L Space brings together a reading room and mediathèque with titles from Arnait Video Production and Isuma Video Collective dating back to 1988; and film paraphernalia, artwork, and historical objects from Isuma’s own collection. L Space is outfitted as a cozy space with a screen, couches, and tables where all are invited to take in a film or peruse the literature.
In the words of Guest Curator, Assinajaq (Isabella Weetaluktuk): “At Chill Zone, Isuma’s full retrospective of films is available and ready for you to come in and pick what you’d like to see! The Chill Zone library has a collection of books that Isuma has published over the years. Along the gallery windows three formidable soapstone sculptures that depict significant moments from the film Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner. A wall hanging created for the film Unakuluk frames the library. One of my favourite things about the collection of films in this show is that many topics are touched upon, expected and unexpected. Bring along your curiosity—there’s so much here to explore!”
Channel 51: Igloolik – Atanarjuat at North Space reveals the making of the internationally renowned film Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner. Bringing Inuit stories to the world stage, Atanarjuat shattered expectations when Isuma won the Camera d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2001. This collection of polaroid photos offers a glimpse behind the scenes of Isuma Video Collective’s unique approach to community-based filmmaking by showing the faces and moments which made the Atanarjuat such a significant endeavor.
Challenging stereotypes about ways of life in the North, these boundary-breaking video collectives are still going strong. Arnait and Isuma have shared a vast body of work about contemporary Inuit visual culture with the world. In fact, Isuma will bring their co-created self-determined contributions to the international stage by representing Canada at the 2019 Venice Biennale. This pair of exhibitions presents an opportunity to see what has been accomplished over three decades.
This project marks an ongoing partnership and learning process between the Aboriginal Resource Centre and Humber Galleries at Humber College. For more information, please contact alissa.firth-eagland@humber.ca, visit humbergalleries.ca, or find HumberGalleries on social media.
Channel 51: Igloolik – Chill Zone
Closes April 14*
L Space
Lakeshore Campus, Room L1002
*L Space will be open Saturday, April 14 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. as part of Humber's Spring Open House.
Channel 51: Igloolik – Atanarjuat
Closes April 12
North Space
North Campus, LRC Atrium
Hours: Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Guest Curator: Asinnajaq (Isabella Weetaluktuk)
Asinnajaq, known also as Isabella Weetaluktuk, is an Inuk visual artist, writer, and curator. She if from Inukjuak, Nunavik and grew up in Montreal. Asinnajaq’s first job was travelling the Inuit Nunangat. During this time she was lucky to take in the immense beauty of places like the Torngat Mountains, Diana Island and the fjords of Baffin Island. This was also an opportunity to see many animals, old food caches, and the site of a Thule whale bone dwelling near Resolute Bay. While looking for her next move Asinnajaq made a storyboard for her father, Jobie Weetaluktuk’s, next film. This small task turned into the Assistant Director position, and the chance to film in Inukjuak, the place where many of Isabella’s aunts, uncles and cousins live. Inspired, Asinnajaq jumped into film school and complete her first film with the National Film Board, titled Three Thousand. Asinnajaq moves to honour the past and create a foundation for the future.
