The Learning Zone

Samiya Karim is a recent graduate of the Graphic Design program and after four years in the program she is happy to be able to call herself a Professional Graphic Designer.

We came to know Samiya from her time working with us in the LZ. When Samiya was not on the job, she could be found in the LZ working on multiple class projects. Last May, she co-curated an exhibition for the Learning Zone Gallery called House of Oriental: Northern Style: An Exhibition of Works Exploring Pan-Asian Canadian Foods. Also, a fun fact about Samiya is that she knows a lot of weird trivia about internet culture as well as pop culture.

We caught up (virtually) with Samiya recentyly to talk about her thesis project and more.

LZ: What influenced your decision to major in Graphic Design?

SK: I really want to say something witty and enlightened but truth-fully I really enjoyed making memes and making peoples’ days brighter

What did you enjoy most about the program?

Graphic Design is a program that really allows you to be a jack of all trades, you can explore illustration, motion, packaging, and really make the degree your own.

Can you tell us a bit about your thesis idea and how you decided on it?

My thesis idea revolves around recognizing the role of small businesses in the make-up of the neighbourhood. Toronto as a rapidly growing city is experiencing gentrification faster than ever, and those being most affected are Toronto’s BIPOC community. Bloordale in particular is a place that is close to my heart as my family had established their first roots there when we arrived in Canada. It is particularly sad to see these immigrants’ businesses disappear that often would give us access to a piece of our motherland in a foreign country. This project is intended to preserve that history and the memories of Bloordale’s diverse neighbourhood.

 During this time of physical distancing, do you feel that social media is more important to your work, and in what ways?

I feel it is both important as well as hindering. I feel that a huge part of my work is missing an essential part of human interaction as it is dealing with place, however I recognize that social media has the power of spreading my work much faster.

What do you do to relax?

I find building houses in the Sims is a great way to be relaxing. It’s something that I find great as a way to get rid of any creative blocks as well as distress. If I am looking to relax in short term, I often find myself meditating.

What are your next steps after graduating?

Honestly, my first step is finding a job that pays well so I can support my family. My second plan was to take a vacation to New York or LA but I’m afraid that would not be happening soon.

Is there anything else you want to share with us, any final thoughts?

There are a lot of things that are happening in the world right now, but all the new changes will hopefully be for the better!

This exhibition captures the raw energy behind zines – self-published works from zine creators with unique perspectives and diverse voices. The DIY culture embodies freedom of expression unlimited to stories, poetry, drawings, collages, comics and perzines while delving head on into current and contemporary political issues.

Zines are artistic in nature driven by a do-it-yourself (DIY) ethos of handmade or photocopied; zines fit comfortably in an exhibition space as an artifact of voices with a growing urgency to be heard.

FREEDOM-HI! An Exhibition of Zines and Documentation from Hong Kong’s Civil Movements

Atom C and Jason Li from Zine Coop installed the Freedom-Hi! exhibition featuring zines and documentation from 2019 Hong Kong’s protests that began over the controversial extradition bill that could send Hong Kong residents to Mainland China to be tried in court.

The passing of this extradition bill, The Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019, would violate the constitutional principle “One Country, Two Systems” which the Chinese government had promised to uphold for 50 years following the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China in 1997.

This situation, far from being resolved, has created uncertainties and unrests within Hong Kong which are reflected in this exhibition, and the introduction of new zines being added weekly present real time documentation and preservation.

In response, this exhibition highlights and investigates the current social and political climate of Hong Kong. It offers a glimpse into DIY publishing as a vehicle for information dissemination, self expression and creative resistance.

Salam // Wai : Resistance Beyond Borders

Salam // Wai : Resistance Beyond Borders curated by Diaspora Express and Hong Kong Gong draws parallels between Salam// Wai : Resistance Beyond Borders and  Freedom-Hi! April 6, 2019 mark the start of pro-democracy protests in Sudan. A political crisis erupted since the removal of the long-serving ruler, Omar al-Bashir.

…how can we hold space for one another, when our own homes are under attack?

The curators seek to answer this question with bringing both the Sudan and Hong Kong community together with art, zines and family photos.

This is a scaled version of the exhibition that ran at Tea Base in August. A collection of art and zines from two communities sharing parallel experiences. On at the OCAD U Zine Library until October 7.

Download the  Salam//Wai Exhibition Statement by Diaspora Express and Hong Kong Gong

Zine Coop is an indie publishing artist collective that promotes zine culture in Hong Kong. It provides support on zine making and distribution, connecting artists with book fairs while serving as a bridge between distress and potential readers.

www.zinecoop.org / FB: zinecoop / IG: zine_coop

TALKING WELLNESS AT OCAD U! Exhibition

Art and Design Education (ADEL): Community has been investigating various concerns around how we might achieve a healthier art and design education community at OCAD U. We have taken this up through personal observation and in conversation with the staff at the Health and Wellness Centre. Our intention has been not to suggest definitive policy changes nor do a rigourous quantitative research but rather to explore, as artists, through personal discovery and dialogue, what we might envision as an ideal – or even imaginary – healthy community for those who study, teach and work in art and design at OCAD U. This exhibition presents creative voices in declamatory dialogic as they imagine a healthy thriving community for OCAD U.

Artists/Researchers:

Jerad Beauregard, Rhys Castro, Tara Clews, Tania Costa, Hana Elmisry, Zen Huang, Cori Jin, Nataly Kais, Angie Ma, Kaylee Meyer, Kais Padamshi, Cleopatria Peterson, Ariella Polisuk, Sam Young

Project Co-facilitators:

Tal Sofia Braniss, Marta Chudolinska, Pam Patterson, and Robyn Shaw.

Thank you to Vladimir Spicanovic, Dean, FoA for providing assistance for mounting this exhibition, Marta Chudolinska, facilitator and provocateur extraordinaire and the Learning Zone for encouragement and direction, and Amanda Hotrum and Cathy Cappon, ODESI, for resources and support.

A special thank you to the Health and Wellness Centre (HWC) OCAD U for partnering with ADEL artists/researchers and providing goodies: Robyn Shaw, for taking on the role of one of the project facilitators who, with Courtney Ward, Nathan Klaehn, Alanna Fletcher, Tamara Aleong, Alex McLaren, Sarah Cree, Kaitlyn Young, met in many one-on-one conversations with students, and to the HWC administrator, Gloria Han for co-ordinating all these meetings.

On at the Learning Zone Gallery until December 8th. Opening Reception, Wed. November 28th, 2 – 2:50 pm. Please join us and celebrate with the artists, researchers, Co-facilitators and OCAD U partners.

Learning Zone Gallery

113 McCaul St., Level 1. Also accessible from 122 St. Patrick St.

Visit the Learning Zone Gallery to see Proud at OCAD U Art Show

Proud at OCAD U coordinators, Casey Helm and Teddy Schaub curated this exhibition and here is their perspective on this art show:

The PROUD at OCAD U Exhibition features the work of LGBTQ+ identifying students here at OCAD. Art Exhibition spaces can be inaccessible spaces, especially for those whose identities intersect in different ways. The theme is simple: there is none! The participants were encouraged to bring in work they felt like showing off. PROUD is a community space and focuses on claiming our own space here at OCAD. Copies of the PROUD Community Zine are also available for free in the Learning Zone!

List of participants:

Casey Helm
Jazmin Cordon-Ibanez
Rachel Finlay
J. Lee Bertram-French
Heidi Ku
Abigail LaChapelle
Vincy Lim
Rachel McCormick
Emily Saunders
Teddy Schaub
Proud at OCAD U Collaborative Artwork: Teddy, Casey, Jazmin, Vincy, Camille, Andres, Lee
Proud at OCAD U Community Zine Cover Collage: Teddy, Casey, Nic, Rachel, Lee, Annie

Image credit: Abigail La Chapelle, Jazmin Cordon-Ibanez, Teddy Schaub, Heidi Ku, Rachel McCormick, Emily Saunders

grOCAD Exhibition is the latest installation in the Learning Zone. This exhibition highlights grOCAD’s explorations, workshops and on-campus installations focusing on urban agriculture and sustainable practices since the group’s inception in 2011.

grOCAD is one of OCAD University many diverse student groups on campus, with an active interest in community building through plant life.

On exhibit are a small series of colour prints of concept drawings illustrating the creative process behind the works installed on campus, or exhibited at gallery shows.  Projects include the Pedal Farm Exhibition, Living Wall, 3^rd iteration of Windowfarm, Moss Exhibition, and raised planters constructed during O-days.

The centre piece of this exhibition is the grOCAD banner capturing the collective spirit of the members working together from 2011 to 2016.

On until the end of September.