LIFT announces UK Visiting Artist Benjamin Wigley

LIFT ANNOUNCES UK VISITING ARTIST
BENJAMIN WIGLEY

Toronto, August 16, 2017—The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) is pleased to announce that Benjamin Wigley has joined us from Nottingham, United Kingdom as a visiting artist from August 9 to August 31, 2017 to work on an on-going 16mm project utilizing a personal journey through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) over the four seasons as a philosophical starting point for a film about our relationship to the world. While in town, Wigley will be presenting a free screening of his films at PIX Film Gallery (1411 Dufferin Street, Unit C) on Monday, August 21 at 7:00pm.

Wigley is a filmmaker who works between art and documentary and across platforms from performance, documentary and experimental film, sculpture, photography and artist walks. He has produced projects for the National Trust in the UK, as well as numerous independent pieces. He is interested in “how we talk about our lives through the metaphors of the natural world, and in the connections, we make between memory and place. I am developing work that allows the viewer to get a sense of both a physical and an experiential journey; interacting, immersing and participating. Working with film allows me to introduce diverse elements of documentary, poetry, philosophy, spirituality and folk culture into my works to create a magic realism. Joel Smith described Edward Steichen’s early photographs saying, ‘He employs reality only as a conduit to ideas and dreams.’ This is an important quote for me as I feel it chimes perfectly with my practice.” www.benjaminwigley.co.uk

At LIFT, Wigley will be utilizing the Digital-to-Film Output Suite and the Darkroom to continue working on his film. Wigley’s screening will feature examples from his films (including his exploration of hand-cranked 16mm) and an excerpt from his recent feature film, Paa Joe & the Lion, a documentary about a fantasy coffin artisan based in Ghana.

Benjamin Wigley’s residency was supported by the Arts Council England and the British Council. His screening at PIX Film Gallery is generously supported by the LivingArts Kitchen.

A Conduit to Ideas and Dreams: Films and Videos by Benjamin Wigley
Monday, August 21, 2017
7:00pm
PIX Film Gallery
1411 Dufferin Street, Unit C
FREE Admission

The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) is Canada’s foremost artist-run production and education organization dedicated to celebrating excellence in the moving image. LIFT exists to provide support and encouragement for independent filmmakers and artists through affordable access to production, post-production and exhibition equipment; professional and creative development; workshops and courses; commissioning and exhibitions; artist-residencies; and a variety of other services. LIFT is supported by its membership, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Ontario Arts Foundation, the Government of Ontario and the Toronto Arts Council. http://lift.ca

-30-

For additional information please see http://lift.ca or e-mail Executive Director Chris Kennedy at office@lift.on.ca

Wednesday 9 August 2017 –

Non-members:
Members:

Location:
Liaison of Independent Fimmakers of Toronto (LIFT) 
1137 Dupont Street 
Toronto ON Canada