The Learning Zone

Last week, the Learning Zone celebrated Freedom to Read Week with a zine display, highlighting the importance of self-expression and intellectual freedom, which is guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Today, many books, magazines and graphic novels will face censorship due to their subject matter relating to gender issues, race, religion, same sex marriage and sexuality, to name a few.

A little known fact from a not so distant past, a box of zines destined to a zine conference called “Spew” was banned by Canada Customs, because the nature of the contents was deemed pornographic. Gene Barnes’ Hippie Dick zine and  Kelly Martin’s zine, Thorn were declared to be offensive for public access.

The zine display featured a few titles like the missing peace: truth and justice in Israel/Palestine written by an Palestine American and Jewish American, Licking Stars Off Ceilings #5: Riot Grrrl is not Dead by Clementine Cannibal, A Queersafe Zine by Mary Potter in collaboration with Leah Newbold and Adriana, Institutionalized: Education, Corporate Media and the Fraudulent Canadian Democracy by Aaron Fitzpatrick and My Comrade: Gay Culture Magazine. That was an snippet of the many diverse zines that can be found in the  OCAD Zine Library collection, as it’s all about self-expression.

We encourage all zinesters to keep on creating, engaging, or expressing your point of view—let’s not take our rights for granted.

OCAD Zine Library Black History Month display features a collection of insightful zines that educate, provoke, heal and challenge.

Black Fractals, the official 2016 Black History Month Program at OCAD University celebrates from February 3 to February 20, with exhibitions and events held in the Lobby of 100 McCaul Street and the Ada Slaight Gallery Space (Transit Space) including The Graduate Gallery at 205 Richmond Street West.

Four exhibitions are planned; Black Future Month 3016: 4^th Annual Afrofuturism Art Exhibition, Pixelation Art Exhibition, Call & Response Conference and Piece of Mine Festival: Black Men in Theater.

Blast Off: Opening reception for Black Future Month 3016: 4th Annual Afrofuturism Art Exhibition will be held Wednesday February 3^rd at the Graduate Gallery, 205 Richmond Street West. http://bit.ly/1UBJ915

For more information on these events please visit:

www.blackfractals.wordpress.com

Join us Tuesday December 1, 12 – 2 pm for the Perfomative Period Manifesto Workshop with Holly Timpener. Followed with a live performance of the manifesto in the halls of OCAD U.

Performative Period Manifesto Workshop is part of the ongoing Feminist FOMO NOMO: What Does Feminism Mean To You? Exhibition.

Holly Timpener investigates and instigates issues relating to gender, feminity, sex and sexuality and identity with her performances. Come and share your period stories to create a manifesto for a new shameless future of menstruation.

Highlights from the opening reception held November 10. Photographs and videos courtesy of Nazanin Khani.

Feminist FOMO NOMO: What Does Feminism Mean To You? Exhibition offers a range of multi-disciplinary artwork—videos, printmaking, installations, digital prints that address inclusiveness and multiple expressions of what Feminism means to each of the participating artists.

On until December 6

The Indigenous Visual Culture Program and the Library’s Learning Zone collaborates once more to bring you The Materials Trading Post!

It’s a swap and trade event in which you can share your knowledge, ideas and materials. This event invites us to embrace the idea of sharing over waste.

Donate or exchange any unused or lightly used art and design materials from paints, pastels to protractors and inks. We will be accepting a broad range of art supplies.

Sorry, we will not accept books, clothing or any other unrelated items.

Unable to attend the day of the event but you want to contribute? Donations can be brought to:

The Indigenous Visual Culture Office, Room 410, 4th floor at 113 McCaul Street or The Learning Zone, Room 110, 1st floor, 113 McCaul during regular hours.

Join us in the Learning Zone Wednesday November 18 between 1 – 4 pm for refreshments, to share ideas, inspiration and the exchange of materials.

All are welcome!

Feminist FOMO NOMO: Show What Feminism Means To You Art Exhibition is coming to OCADU Library Services: The Learning Zone November 10 — December 6.

Feminist FOMO NOMO embraces the term FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) by connecting artists coming from different histories, mediums and perspectives. Seeking to alleviate fear and create a safe space for participation and acceptance, allowing all to contribute.

What does feminism mean to you? Feminist FOMO NOMO is an all inclusive project that welcomes any creative work, expression or material.

Open call to artists to participate in this art exhibition promoting equality and inclusivity. Accepting any media or discipline — paintings, photography, performance art, video, graphic design.  Groups are invited to participate with open discussions or creative collaborations — it’s open.

Good news, a call for submissions for October 27 has now been extended to November 3!

Artists and Groups are invited to submit artwork, host discussions, presentations or events, on what feminism means to you. To submit or for more information contact: feministfomonomo@gmail.com.

Artists: please include name or school, copyright or redistribution rights and a short bio.

Groups: please include an outline of your discussion, presentation or event along with the proposed event date.

This exhibit is supported by a team of OCAD University students and alumni including Pam Patterson, Julia Pereira, Nazanin Khani, Trudy Erin Elmore, Magnus Frolov, Marta Chudolinska and Leena Raudvee.

Sponsored by OCAD U Library Services: The Learning Zone, WIA Projects, CWSE/OISE University of Toronto and FAC (Feminist Art Conference).

*UPDATE: SUBMISSIONS WILL CONTINUE TO BE ACCEPTED WHILE THE EXHIBIT RUNS FROM NOVEMBER 10 – DECEMBER 6. EACH WEEK WE WILL PUT UP NEW PIECES WE RECEIVE. WE WANT TO SHARE AS MANY PERSPECTIVES ON WHAT FEMINISM MEANS AS POSSIBLE!