Empty Orchestra: REMIX

Curated by Heather Keung and Maiko Tanaka

Empty Orchestra: REMIX is a dynamic culmination to the collaborative exploration of karaoke in contemporary art, between Reel Asian and Gendai Gallery. The social performance of identity through karaoke anchors this exhibition of video, photo, and costume pieces

In the works of Emelie Chhangur, Haruko Tanaka and Bia Gayotto, and Karen Tam, cultural identity is mediated through song and shared through translation. Long-time community member of the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Tak Maejima, presents self-portraits, costumes and performance documentation offering insight into a personal history of traditional Japanese karaoke

Empty Orchestra: REMIX also revisits the Empty Orchestra LIVE! Special Video Commissions, which premiered at the 2008 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. REMIX pays tribute to the pioneering Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre's Karaoke Club, and shines a light on the role of contemporary karaoke in globalized cultural exchange and the performance of identity

Reprising the infectious energy of Empty Orchestra LIVE! opening night on Saturday April 11th will feature performances by Stan Kayama and Tak Maejima of the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre Karaoke Club, and Steve Comilang and Stephanie Comilang