The Penitential Tyrant: Dolores Is Pain
Conceived by Adrià Julià
Written by Débora Antscherl and Adrià Julià
Performed by Stephen Park

Date: September 16, 7pm
Location: Art Gallery of Ontario – Jackman Hall
Free Admission – Register here

Offering a meditation on the history of production, consumption and expansion of popcorn in modern colonial history, The Penitential Tyrant: Dolores Is Pain reflects on the historical and socioeconomic intricacies of the global corn industry and its relationship to Mexican culture and the popularization of popcorn in the United States after the Great Depression, especially in regards to popcorn’s connection to cinema.

Adrià Julià will be joined by curator Noa Bronstein for a discussion into his ongoing interest in the parallel and overlapping histories of film production and popcorn consumption. Using an historical perspective with the language of cinema, Julià encourages a critical look at the impact of history and culture on food and images and how these inform our understanding of the world around us.

Join us for a panel discussion featuring the artists from our spring exhibition Materialized on Saturday, April 22nd at 1pm. Artists Joi T. Arcand, Celeste Pedri-Spade, Catherine Blackburn, and Nadya Kwandibens will present brief artist talks, followed by a discussion moderated by curator Ariel Smith (Artistic & Managing Director, Native Women in the Arts).

Join us for an artist talk with Lebanese rapper El Rass at Dark Horse Cafe, located inside 401 Richmond. This event is free with registration; space is limited and seating is first-come, first-served. Immediately following the talk we will proceed to the Critical Distance gallery (Suite 122) for the opening reception of Garden of Broken Shadows, curated by Fatma Hendawy Yehia. 

Critical Distance is thrilled to co-present El Rass in concert with MARSM Canada at Adelaide Hall, as part of the exhibition Garden of Broken Shadows, curated by Fatma Hendawy Yehia.  As part of his first tour in Canada, El Rass, known for his critical lyrics and performances, will engage with the exhibition’s topics around identity, immigration and adaptation through a vernacular yet deeply philosophical language. Tickets on sale through MARSM Canada.

June 29, 6 pm: Visitors will meet at the gallery (Suite 122) to experience the exhibition, Garden of Broken Shadows, before the group proceeds down the hallway to the courtyard for a conversation with artists Lamis Haggag and Marina Fathalla. This in-person event is free with registration.

July 29, 1-5 pm: Drop by the gallery for casual conversation with exhibition curator Fatma Hendawy Yehia. Registration is not required and admission is always free.

As part of the opening reception of this bridge between starshine and clay,  artist Adee Roberson will present an activation and performance in the gallery, where she will be channeling oceanic and cosmic sounds through synthesizer, percussion and voice. Next, artist Rashid Zakat will perform Revival! , a celebration of the visual and sonic frequencies that are contained within and spill out of Black ecstatic experiences.