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(Toronto/Montreal) Aeroplan and the Art Gallery of Ontario
have selected four remarkable photographers from Canada and
Mexico as their candidates for the 2009 Grange Prize. Starting
today, the public can visit
www.thegrangeprize.com to vote for
the artist they think should win the $50,000 prize: Marco
Antonio Cruz from Mexico City, Lynne Cohen from Montreal,
Federico Gama from Mexico City or Jin-me Yoon from Vancouver.
Now in its second year, The Grange Prize is a partnership
between Aeroplan and the AGO that recognizes the best in
Canadian and international contemporary photography. A joint
curatorial panel of experts selects the candidates from Canada
and one other country. The committee has chosen Mexico to
participate in the 2009 competition. The $50,000 award is the
largest of its kind in Canada, and is the only one selected
entirely by the public.
This year, for the first time, the AGO will host a special
exhibition of works by all the selected candidates from April 1
to June 26, while the Centro de la Imagen in Mexico City will
host its own exhibition between April 8 and May 24. A more
comprehensive selection of works from each nominated artist can
also be viewed at www.thegrangeprize.com. Members of the public
can vote onsite at the exhibitions or online from now until May
20. The winner will be announced at a special ceremony at the
AGO on May 26, 2009.
"The AGO is a strong advocate for the diverse and innovative
photographers working today and The Grange Prize is a perfect
example of this commitment," says Matthew Teitelbaum, the AGO’s
Michael and Sonja Koerner Director, and CEO. "This prize gives
up-and-coming photographers a stage to share their art with the
world."
"Aeroplan is thrilled to be presenting the Grange Prize with the
AGO for a second year. The Mexican and Canadian artists who have
been shortlisted are a talented group and we are pleased to be
showcasing their inspiring work to help raise awareness of this
important art form," says Rupert Duchesne, President and CEO,
Groupe Aeroplan Inc.
"The Mexico Tourism Board is excited to be a Supporting Sponsor
of the Grange Prize. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to
showcase the best of Mexico not just as a tourist destination
but as a hub for cultural activity," says Alfonso Sumano, Mexico
Tourism Board Regional Director for Canada.
In addition to the prize, each candidate will participate in a
residency at a local arts institution. International candidates
for the award will be hosted by the AGO, while Canadian nominees
will travel to Mexico. During their residencies the artists
will explore a wide range of themes including Canada’s First
Nations, Mexican immigration to Canada, uninhabited spaces and
historic natural environments.
Last year, the inaugural Grange Prize was presented to Winnipeg
artist Sarah Anne Johnson whose work will be featured in a solo
exhibition at the AGO later this year.
The Mexico Tourism Board is a supporting sponsor of the Grange
Prize along with media sponsors The Globe and Mail and Bravo
Television.
About Aeroplan
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009, Aeroplan,
Canada’s premier loyalty program, is owned by Groupe Aeroplan
Inc., a leading international loyalty management corporation.
Aeroplan is a long-standing patron of the Arts, with a history
of supporting artists and arts initiatives across Canada. Of
particular significance is the company’s work, in partnership
with the Art Gallery of Ontario, to develop The Grange Prize for
contemporary photography. Aeroplan is committed to fostering a
long-term, international dialogue about this important art form.
Aeroplan has also joined the AGO in a three-year partnership as
the Signature Partner of the Photography Collection Program,
supporting planned AGO activities to engage visitors with
photography, including special lectures and tours.
For more information about Aeroplan, please visit
www.groupeaeroplan.com or www.aeroplan.com
About the AGO
With a permanent collection of more than 73,000 works of art,
the Art Gallery of Ontario is among the most distinguished art
museums in North America. The Gallery began an extraordinary
chapter when it launched Transformation AGO in 2002.
Multi-faceted in scope, Transformation AGO involved the
unprecedented growth of the permanent collection, an innovative
architectural expansion by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry,
and the strengthening of the museum’s endowment resources. As
the imaginative centre of the city, the transformed AGO
dramatically enriches our visitors’ experiences and provides
greater access to the full vibrancy of the art museum.
For more information visit
www.ago.net
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