Portraits of the Past, Contemporary Perspectives: Videographic Insights into Time and Transformation

Archive/Counter-Archive (A/CA) is a project and research network dedicated to activating and preserving Canadian audiovisual archives created by Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis, Inuit), Black communities, People of Colour, women, LGBTQ2+, and immigrant communities.

Several Canadian artist-run centers were invited to partner with A/CA for this project, including Groupe Intervention Vidéo (GIV).

Established in Montreal in 1975, GIV is one of the few artist-run centers worldwide dedicated to promoting works created by women, broadly defined. This commitment is realized through the distribution, presentation, and active support of women’s productions. GIV’s distribution catalog includes 1,744 works by 420 women artists.

As part of this project, GIV invited several curators to engage with their video collection under the theme *Through Feminist Lenses: Women and Video Works at Groupe Intervention Vidéo.* This inquiry examines what women express through the video works distributed by GIV, spanning from 1975 to the present.

Chantal Molleur was invited to curate one of these programs during a virtual residency in the GIV catalog as part of the Archive/Counter-Archive initiative. Following the live screening at GIV in Montreal on November 27, 2024, White Frame will present a selection of this program as part of our Online Series.

The eight selected titles available for online viewing span just over two decades of production (1986 to 2007). Under the theme *Portraits of the Past, Contemporary Perspectives: Videographic Insights into Time and Transformation,* we invite you to explore our introductory text and view the program on our website starting December 12 for one week.

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Over the last 50 years, viewing the world «through feminist lenses» has played a pivotal role in instigating significant social, political, and cultural transformations. This period witnessed the emergence of feminist art movements, the utilization of video as a tool for feminist expression, the exploration of gender and identity, consideration of intersectionality in feminism, technological advancements, institutional recognition and critique, global outreach and activism, challenges, and evolution. The rise of online platforms and improved accessibility marked this era, shaping the discourse around gender, equality, and justice.

In the present global landscape, we find ourselves traversing turbulent waters characterized by political and social instability. The hard-won freedoms and rights that we once secured are slipping away, and we appear to be entangled in a recurring cycle of repeating past mistakes. Our tendency to prioritize momentary gains often comes at the cost of sustainable solutions.

Amid these challenges, there exists a collective yearning for a thoughtful approach anchored in critical thinking and historical perspective, essential for comprehending and addressing the urgent issues of today.

The GIV collection provides some answers and a sense of comfort and understanding. The stories and viewpoints offer insights, a safe space, and a guide for intellectual comfort in today’s uncertain times. The stories in this collection help us navigate today’s challenges by drawing on lessons from the past.

The selected 9 titles cover a span of just over two decades of production (1986 to 2007), predating the era when two-thirds of the world’s population began using the web. We delve into autobiographies, family stories, immigration, wars, poverty, multiculturalism, questions of identity, pioneering efforts, and globalization. At the heart of these 9 productions is the depiction of women whose narratives provide insight into their aspiration to surpass the confines of their reality, with the portrait serving as a pivotal element. The paths taken by these protagonists are shaped by a range of elements, including desires, constraints, fears, anxiety, reunions, separations, possessions, and the pursuit of transcendence.

The artistic endeavors of these 9 filmmakers find their expression through documentary, performance, and animation forms. The recorded voices of these protagonists keep us engaged, serving as a constant reminder of their enduring messages that remain highly relevant.

The videos in this selection also delve into diverse challenges within family dynamics. Some highlight the difficulty family members face in establishing a common thread for effective communication, while others portray a journey towards self-censorship, strengthening the impact of an external system capable of manipulating their collective. The explored themes encompass boundaries, control, self-censorship, constraints, and navigating interactions with an environment that can be adversarial, not always meeting their needs but occasionally demanding submission.

What if we communicated as though the world were already a good place, as I recently read as if it were already equal and free from discrimination? Throughout history, women have consistently emerged as formidable driving forces. This curated program showcases the works of selected artists who amplify the diverse voices of their protagonists. It serves us today as a poignant reminder that, despite progress, ongoing struggles persist. My goal with this program is to act as a bridge connecting the past and the present, prompting us to reflect on the journey of feminist expression and its enduring relevance in today’s socio-cultural milieu. It serves as a reminder that a vision of a better world can be built on the shoulders of those who pioneered these steps. We must remember and move forward.

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This project was supported by Archive/Counter-Archive, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Conseil des Arts de Montréal, and GIV, honoring the distribution, exhibition, and production of works by women in its most inclusive definition.  

WF Online Series includes four curated screening programs per year, each with a unique curatorial proposition featuring productions from Basel, Switzerland, and around the world. Each program is available for one week. The series is made possible thanks to the financial support of the Mary & Ewald E. Bertschmann-Stiftung and the Division of Cultural Affairs Basel-Stadt.

still©:Diyan Achjadi, Fun with Girl, 2006

Over the last 50 years, viewing the world "Through Feminist Lenses" has played a pivotal role in instigating significant social, political, and cultural transformations. The selected titles in this program cover a span of just over two decades of production (1986 to 2007), predating the era when two-thirds of the world's population began using the web.

After working for more than two decades in the Canadian media arts field, during which she was involved in distribution and exhibition production, Chantal Molleur co-established White Frame several years after moving to Switzerland in 2005. Since the inception of White Frame, she has curated more than 50 media art projects, comprising both screenings and exhibitions. Her primary focus is on moving images. In addition to her curatorial role, she mentors students in film and art, offering promotional strategies and distribution support to graduates of the Lucerne School of Art and Design in Switzerland. Molleur has further contributed to the arts community by serving on the boards of directors and grant juries for art institutions in both Switzerland and Canada.