Today many believe that globalization is making the nation-state obsolete. But is it? Michael Adams’ research suggests that Canadian culture is distinct from that of the USA in its values. Could we assume then that different values have given rise to a different visual culture? If Canada has a distinct culture, what typifies it? How would we study it?
Michael Adams is the founder of Environica Research, a polling firm, and the best-selling author of several books, including Sex in the Snow and Fire and Ice.
Yam Lau is Assistant Professor of painting at York University. He has written criticism, curated exhibitions, and has recently exhibited His work is represented by the Leo Kamen Gallery in Toronto and Yuanfen New Media Art Space in Beijing.
Mark Cheetham is Professor of Art History at the University of Toronto. He has curated two exhibitions, and is the author of Abstract Art Against Autonomy, Remembering Postmodernism: Trends in Recent Canadian Art, as well as a book on Alex Colville.
Lisa Rochon is the architecture critic for The Globe and Mail, and author of Up North: Where Canada’s Architecture Meets the Land.
Panel Moderator: Andy Patton, artist, curator, OCAD faculty member.