Passion Over Reason: A Joyce Wieland Study Day

Event information

The Canadian painter and filmmaker Joyce Wieland is a significant figure in the history of artists’ filmmaking. Closely involved with the Structural film movement in New York in the late 1960s, she collaborated with Hollis Frampton, and even makes an appearance in Wavelength, the film by her then husband Michael Snow, which has come to define the movement.

However, Wieland’s association to these Structural film heavyweights has often eclipsed her own very important contribution to avant-garde film form. Her multi-faceted film practice spans three decades, bringing a lyricism and humour
to Structural practice, whilst also displaying a committed engagement to political as well as perceptual and aesthetic questions.

This one-day workshop compliments Tate Modern’s survey of Joyce Wieland’s unique film practice, by focusing on some of the key concerns and contexts which have influenced her filmmaking: from national identity to female subjectivity. It offers an opportunity to view and discuss a selection of her films
alongside those of her peers, and to consider her legacy for further generations of artist filmmakers. As Kirsty A Jones suggests, ‘it’s important to not only examine Wieland’s artistic production, but to think about the different ways in which her art has been “archived” and subsequently understood over time.’
(ww.cfmdc.org/sites/default/files/Wieland-StudyGuide-Intro.pdf)

The workshop runs from 2-5pm on Saturday 21st January at LUX and will be led by Lucy Reynolds, and introduced by Lauren Howes, Director of the Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre, who will be present to discuss Wieland’s importance to Canadian art.