the 0.7% show: August 2 - August 20
Opening Reception; August 3, 6pm - 10 pm
Group Exhibition curated by Antonia Lancaster (curator, offthemapgallery)

A benefit Exhibition for HIV/AIDS in Africa to coincide with the Toronto International Aids Conference: August 13-18, 2006

PRESS RELEASE

The 0.7% show at Propeller is a speculation on the cost of sharing, of giving (up) a part of something unique and indivisible – a part of a whole work of art. There is in this an analogy to giving up a part of ourselves (our income, our wealth) to help the less benefitted; it is a show that speculates on how much is too much? When is it bearable to remove, when not? And does a removal perhaps illicit something quite new and still wonderful?

Stephen Lewis, UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa has asked that Canada honour a suggested obligation by the late Lester Pearson, of 0.7% of Canada’s GDP to help developing nations.

0.7% is 70 cents shared for every $100 earned.

When governments are slow to respond to realities in a crisis, individuals are often bound (by the ethical conditions of their being) to step forward to try to intitiate a shift in direction, to motivate a call to action, to persuade a change of heart. Margaret Mead—the social anthropologist—once said, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.’

On August 3, Propeller Centre for Visual Arts will host the Opening Reception for a show of individual artists in “the 0.7% show” . This show will exhibit the concept of giving and giving up by showing intact works that have had 0.7% removed or covered. Artists give of themselves to produce work and to have a small part removed is to some ways of thinking, an affront; yet in this particular show, just such an act was asked for by particpating artists, and the results of this thinking will convey a surprising and visible metaphor for the possiblities of sharing and giving (up).

The 0.7% show at Propeller is a fundraiser where partial proceeds will be donated to the Stephen Lewis Foundation (see www.stephenlewisfoundation.org for a list of the projects that they help fund)

Please come and support the show.