May = CONTACT

Each year, in the month of May, Toronto is host to the largest photography festival in North America, CONTACT. With over 500 artists and 200 venues participating, there is sure to be something that fits every one's taste and because it lasts all of May there is no excuse to not see at least one exhibition.

I found out about Contact last year and was only able to make it out to about 5 or so exhibits, however this year even though I'm going to be away for a week this month, I'm planning to see a larger spectrum of shows. A good idea is to pick up a copy of the Contact magazine, it outlines all the shows, is full of images and articles, has a handy map at the back helping you find the galleries you want to visit.

Here are 2 shows to get you started.

The Constructed Image: Photographic Culture

Image by : Karen Ostrom
The theme of this years festival is "the constructed image" and MOCCA is host to the main exhibit. Photographic Culture is the work of 10 artists whose images show the possibilities of images in the "digital age" however instead of exploiting digital manipulation they use it beautifully to present a larger point.
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Rising

Image by : Neil Mills
Rising is showing at the Gladstone Hotel
with work by 12 emerging artists. The works deals with "young people struggling with the society and environment they're inheriting, they express what they see happening in the world. In doing so, they convey contemporary and personal issues in allegorical forms, using choreography, digital composition and handmade assemblage to concentrate narratives into single images" -Alice Dixon