Curated by Karen Love

Running Fence is a photographic document by Toronto artist Geoffrey James, focusing on the first 14 miles of the border fence that separates the United States and Mexico, beginning at the Pacific Ocean and ending at the Otay Mountains. The fence, made of recycled metal landing strip from the Gulf War, was installed in 1993-4 as part of Operation Gatekeeper, a US attempt to curb illegal immigration. With its ironic reference to the famous project by Romanian-born artist Christos, James’s Running Fence explores the iconography of the border, at a time when the world hastens towards greater globalization and a new century. The exhibition is supported by the Canada Council’s Dissemination Assistance Program.

Presentation House Gallery published a catalogue in conjunction with the exhibition, with essays by Sebastian Rotella, Los Angeles Times bureau chief for South America; Dot Tuer, a Toronto writer, cultural historian, and art critic ; and a foreword by Elizabeth Armstrong, Senior Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego.

Events

Saturday, May 2nd, 2:15 pm | Artist's talk by Geoffrey James

Touring Exhibition

MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina, SK. - July 17 - August 20, 1998

Illingworth Kerr Gallery, Calgary, AB - November 26 - December 19, 1998

Ottawa Art Gallery, Ottawa, ON. - February 25 - April 25, 1999

Galerie d'art du Centre Cultural, Sherbrooke, QC. - June 12 - August 22, 1999

CICA, Montreal, QC. - September 22 - October 3, 1999

Oakville Galleries, Oakville, ON. - October 16 - December 5, 1999

Art Gallery of Windsor, Windsor, ON. - February 20 - May 14, 2000