The Magus @ The Commons

The Magus
Jaimz and C. Graham Asmundson

Corner Pieces: Texts for Loitering

a poster project by Lance Blomgren



The Commons is proud to present the exhibition The Magus. Curated by Noam Gonick, this project brings together  C. Graham Asmundson's paintings, drawings and works in yarn with The Magus, 2011, a film work by his son Jaimz Asmundson which documents his father's artistic process.  Seen here together for the first time, it is a focused glimpse into their unique creative and intergenerational collaboration. The exhibition will open Friday, November 23, 2012 and running until Sunday, January 6, 2013.

C. Graham Asmundson received a MFA from the Concordia University and has been a prominent artist and cultural worker in Winnipeg for many years, though rarely exhibiting outside his home community. His son Jaimz Asmundson is an experimental filmmaker, video artist, and electronic musician. They recently collaborated on The Magus, 2011, Jaimz’ groundbreaking documentary about his father's transcendent art practice. Graham's works create allegorical fields of figures at times mystical, often playfully queer and insurrectionary. Jaimz uses film, video and animation techniques to penetrate deeply into his father’s unusual process whereby random impulses, channeled from the supernatural world, guide the artist while in a trance state. His bold art making has often been the centre of controversy, including the Plug In Gallery, Winnipeg, billboard project Homophobia is Killing Us, 1991, which was defaced by the Ku Klux Klan, leading to death threats. Jaimz Asmundson has exhibited in numerous festivals and  gallery contexts. Selected screenings for The Magus include FIFA - Festival International du Films sur l’Art (Montreal), Hong Kong International Film Festival, MIX NY and Lume International Film Festival (Brazil) – Artistic Contribution Award.

The opening reception will be preceded by a conversation with curator Noam Gonick and Jaimz and C. Graham Asmundson at 7pm in the exhibition.

Also at this time Lance Blomgren’s will present Corner Pieces: Texts for Loitering. As part of his ongoing series of public posters he has produced short texts written for and to be posted in the immediate environs of The Commons. Undermining the impersonal, public tone of the urban poster with an openly subjective, mundane and seemingly meaningless series of observations and histories, Texts for Loitering offers a contemplative or dumbfounding moment for local passersby and wanderers, hustlers and flâneurs. These posters function as an associative intervention, addressing both the reader and site itself, and work to implicate the reader in his or her own role within the larger relational—and often celebratory—flow of events in the neighbourhood.

Lance Blomgren’s text projects have been exhibited in Banff, Chicago, Berlin, and most recently as part of Magnetic Norths (Leonard and Bina Ellen Gallery, Montreal).  He is the author of the novella Walkups, and Corner Pieces, both published by Conundrum Press. Blomgren is a MA candidate in Curatorial Studies program at UBC.

The Commons is a venue for the presentation of art in all of its forms. In this way The Commons means to be a place where disciplines meet and mix, a place for cross fertilization and dialogue. The Commons facilitates the presentation of international art in Vancouver through collaboration with galleries from around the world and seeks to foster new economies for local artists through our exhibition program.

The Magus
Jaimz and C. Graham Asmundson
curated by Noam Gonick

Corner Pieces: Texts for Loitering

a poster project by Lance Blomgren


11/24/12 - 06/01/13
opening reception Friday November 23, 8pm
Curator/ Artists Conversation 7pm

This exhibition has been made possible with the assistance of the Winnipeg Arts Council 

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The Commons - 119B E Pender Vancouver BC V6A 1T6
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"The Magus" screens at VIA Music & New Media Festival

"The Magus" will screen at the VIA Music & New Media Festival as part of the Multimedia Event/Screening + Pittsburgh Release of INCITE #3: NEW AGES on Friday, October 5th at 6pm.

The program curated by Brett Kashmere features videos, films and performances by Jaimz Asmundson (The Magus), Jeremy Bailey (The Future of Creativity), Jacob Ciocci and Ryder Ripps (Extreme Moments Sitting Down), Clint Enns (Self Improvement), Eliza Koch (Please), Jesse McLean (Magic for Beginners), Shana Moulton (Whispering Pines 4), Lillian Schwartz (Galaxies 3D), and Leslie Supnet (Sun Moon Stars Rain).

This is a new age (for New Age-ism). INCITE #3: NEW AGES focuses on the renewed fascination with New Age spirituality, philosophy and aesthetics among contemporary media artists, while seeking to address the generational shifts and divides brought on by the emergence of digital technology.

"Scintoma" premieres at POP Montreal

I was commissioned by to create a film for the Auroratone Project at the Film POP segment of the 2012 POP Montreal Festival in Quebec. The screening is 9pm on September 21st at the Film BOX (Quartiers POP – 3450 St-Urbain, 3rd Floor).

The Auroratone Project is a commission of original short films by experimental Canadian filmmakers set to the music of POP Montreal’s 2012 participants. ‘Auroratones’ were abstract musical films used in mental institutions and army hospitals after WWII as a means of soothing post-traumatic stress disorder and general mental disturbance, invented by film enthusiast Cecil Stokes who was continuing on nearly two centuries of previous pseudo-scientific attempts to correlate colour with musical notes. For POP Montreal, filmmakers Leslie Supnet (Manitoba), Emily Pelstring (Quebec), Jon Rafman (Quebec), Alex MacKenzie (BC), Walter Forsberg (Manitoba), Leslie Bell (Alberta), Jaimz Asmundson (Manitoba), Cheryl Hann (Nova Scotia), Tamara Scherbak (Quebec), Heather Rappard (Nova Scotia) and Sabrina Ratte (Quebec) were approached to create original abstract films guided by the principles of Cecil Stokes’ Auroratones. As an added bonus, project mentor Walter Forsberg will give historical context before screening the only surviving original Auroratone, as well as Auroratone-like videos by Schtuff and actress and animator Kate Dollenmayer (Mutual Appreciation, Funny Ha Ha).   - Curator, Kier-La Janisse

My film titled Scintoma is a first person perspective of myself as I make my way home from work, while suffering from a wicked migraine, and then fall into a fever induced psychaedelic dream.

The film uses the track "Crystal Fortress Over the Sea of Trees" by the band Yamantaka // Sonic Titan.

The Magus

2011 | 12 mins | HD | Experimental Documentary

A Film By Jaimz Asmundson

"The Magus" is a multi-format, process-based experimental film that explores the root of artistic creation. The film documents visual artist, C. Graham Asmundson's body of work over a rigorous six-month period.

"The Magus" screens at Queer City Cinema

"The Magus" has been selected to screen at Queer City Cinema, the 9th Biennial International Queer Film & Video Festival, in Regina, Saskatchewan, which runs June 7 - 9, 2012. It will screen as part of the Short Film Program 3 on Friday, June 8th @ 7:00pm at the Neutral Ground Gallery (1856 Scarth Street).

Queer City Cinema (based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada - The Queen City) is the largest and oldest ongoing queer arts festival between British Columbia and Ontario. This biennial festival was initiated in 1996, and saw its 8th installment in June 2010. A total of 77 artworks were exhibited, screened and performed at QCC 8, representing 97 artists from twelve countries. Upcoming festivals include Performing Out Festival 3 (October 5-8, 2011); Media Arts Festival (June 6-9, 2012), and Audibly Out Festival 3 (January 30-February 2, 2013).

"Goths! On the Bus!" going to Cannes

"Goths! On the Bus!" has been selected to be screened as part of Telefilm Canada's Canada: Not Short On Talent at the Cannes Film Market. Other Manitobans with films in the festival include Caroline Monnet and Deco Dawson.





For the seventh edition of Perspective Canada at the Cannes Film Market, Telefilm Canada is pleased to announce that Canada: Not Short on Talent is back for a second year. The program of 25 Canadian shorts was curated by Danny Lennon, the founder of Prends ça court! and a renowned programmer on the international festival circuit.

The films were selected to represent the diversity of Canadian talent, with directors from all across the country. Emerging talent is featured in both Herd Leader (Chef de meute) by Chloé Robichaud, competing in the Official Selection for the Short Film Palme d’or, and With Jeff (Avec Jeff, à moto) by Marie-Ève Juste screening at the Directors’ Fortnight. The selection also includes well-known directors such as Robin Aubert, Deco Dawson and Diane Obomsawin, as well as award-winning creations such as Doubles With Slight Pepper by Ian Harnarine, winner of best Canadian short at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Genie Awards, and financed by the Spike Lee Production Fund.

The program will premiere on May 22 and a promotional video created by Danny Lennon is available here:



Canada: Not Short on Talent program

• A River In The Woods by Christian Sparkes, produced by Away Films
  
• Amelia by Andrew Silke, produced by Silke Productions
  
• Anata O Korosu by Philippe David Gagné and Jean-Marc E. Roy, produced by Jean-Marc E. Roy
  
• With Jeff (Avec Jeff, à moto) by Marie-Ève Juste, produced by Voyous Films
  
• Barefoot by Danis Goulet, produced by Treeline Pictures
  
• Bydlo by Patrick Bouchard, produced by the National Film Board of Canada
  
• Herd Leader (Chef de meute) by Chloé Robichaud, produced by La Boîte à Fanny and Les Films de la meute
  
• Doubles With Slight Pepper by Ian Harnarine, produced by Ian Harnarine, Jason Harnarine and Ryan Silbert
  
• Gephyrophobia by Caroline Monnet, produced by Caroline Monnet
  
• Goths! On The Bus! by Karen Asmundson and Jaimz Asmundson, produced by Jaimz Asmundson
  
• Joanna Makes a Friend by Jeremy Lutter, produced by Broken Mirror Films and Like Minded Media
  
• Kaspar by Diane Obomsawin, produced by the National Film Board of Canada
  
• Late by Jason Goode, produced by Jenkinson / Goode Productions
  
• The Near Future (Le futur proche) by Sophie Goyette, produced by Sophie Goyette
  
• Margo Lily by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart, produced by Lithium Studios Productions and Dark Hope Entertainment
  
• Keep A Modest Head (Ne crâne pas sois modeste) by Deco Dawson, produced by Endstop and Elsewhere, and Microclimat Films
  
• Ne pas reculer by Dominique Laurence, produced by Kino
  
• Not Far From The Abattoir by Kyle Thomas, produced by North Country Cinema
  
• Board (Planche à l'œil) by Ian Lagarde, produced by Annick Blanc and Ian Lagarde
  
• The Horse Latitudes by Duncan McDowall, produced by Antler Films
  
• The Tape by Matt Austin Sadowski, produced by Spontaneously Combusted Films
  
• Throat Song by Miranda de Pencier, produced by Northwood Productions
  
• Everything Is All Right (Tout va mieux) by Robin Aubert, produced by Lynx Films
  
• We Refuse To Be Cold by Alexander Carson, produced by North Country Cinema
  
• When You Sleep by Ashley McKenzie, produced by Grassfire Films
  

The shorts are also entered in the Short Film Corner, a section of the Cannes Film Market dedicated to short films, with viewing stations for buyers and accredited professionals.


Canada in Cannes on the web
Telefilm Canada's microsite (www.canada-cannes2012.ca) offers information about the Canadian presence in Cannes, including schedules and details about the films presented at the Festival, Perspective Canada and the Canada: Not Short on Talent program. Profiles of Canadian producers and other Canadian companies registered at the Canadian Pavilion are also available.

Via @ Telefilm

"Goths! On the Bus" wins award at CIMM Fest

"Goths! On the Bus!" won the award for Best Music Video this past weekend at the 4th annual Chicago International Music & Movies Festival.

Juror John McNaughton called it “A really fun, funny and original vision done for no bucks. I loved the juxtaposition of exotic goth characters with the otherwise mundane activities of riding the bus to the mall and a trip to Sears. The music is great as are the visuals. Context is everything.”

CIMMfest, the Chicago International Movies & Music Festival—a four-day showcase of outstanding films, energetic concerts, visually stunning VJ/DJ sets, lively Q&A’s, daring live score performances…anything to show just what movies and music mean to each other.

"The Magus" screens at the 36th Hong Kong International Film Festival

"The Magus" has been selected to screen at the 36th Hong Kong International Film Festival, which runs March 24 - April 5, 2012. It will screen as part of the Short Film Competition Programme II on Sunday, April 1st @ 1:00pm at the Hong Kong Science Museum Lecture Hall.

The Hong Kong International Film Festival is a platform for filmmakers, film professionals and filmgoers from all over the world to launch and experience new film work. There are seminars, conferences, exhibitions, and parties celebrating the festival community. The festival is committed to discovering talent, and it is also a major platform to launch films to the Greater China region and Asian market.

INCITE Journal of Experimental Media #3 (Launch + Screening)

INCITE will be launching Issue #3: New Ages, which includes a piece I wrote, called "Capturing Chaos: Reflections on The Magus". The launch will feature a screening of works by artists in the new issue, including my film, "The Magus".

Wednesday (2/22) in Oberlin: New Ages screening + launch of INCITE Journal of Experimental Media #3. 8pm, Mudd 443. Presented by Wundercloset.

Featuring work by: Jaimz Asmundson, Jacob Ciocci, Clint Enns, Eliza Koch, Jesse McLean, Shana Moulton, Lillian Schwartz, and Leslie Supnet

Curated by Brett Kashmere

This is a new age (for New Age-ism). Although it may be in vogue now, New Age subculture was once the subject of widespread ridicule and scorn. Combining quasi-religious mysticism with self-help philosophy and environmental concern, the New Age movement gained mainstream awareness during the height of self-absorbed Reaganomics and the rise of corporate power (i.e. "Greed is good."). This duality—of alternative spirituality based in holistic health, environmentalism, meditation, and simple living, and its pop commercialization (i.e. whale music CDs sold in strip malls)—produced a values-based sociopolitical phenomenon that was hard to take seriously. So how do we account for the current fascination with New Age concepts and aesthetics among many of today’s emergent media practitioners? As ironic appropriation? As a desire to reconnect with non-Western medicine, environmental causes, organic farming, etc? As '80s-era nostalgia? The Web 2.0, via services such as YouTube, has made it possible to instantly re-experience the media memories of our recent past or stoke a younger generation's enchantment with a past not their own. In an era marked by both religious and political fervor and cynicism, it's hard not to see the positive in reclaiming an inclusive, optimistic, if naive, spiritual movement.