EMMEDIA Gallery & Production Society

01/17/2025

The FUTURE OF... Series Continues Jan. 22. With FUTURE OF ... AI.

Foreign bodies involved in election tampering.

The rights behind actors using their own face.

The invention of art forms as new pixels.

This month we're looking at AI in the news, in ethical debates and in artwork.

We're examining how it plays out in social and activist context and how we're getting informed of its application-- historical and contemporary-- and hidden structures.

And we're also exploring the future possibilities of usage.

We'll get collaborative by creating a Mind Map of our collective knowledge and ideas

BYO-AI -- Bring your AI related knowledge, materials and, your conspiracy theories.

We'll provide the snacks, you bring your knowledge and let's discuss the future of AI.

01/10/2025

Attention: EMMEDIA HQ will be closed until Jan. 14! We apologize for any inconvenience.

Please feel free to reach us if over email.

12/14/2024

We apologize for the last-minute closure of our office!

We'll be closed today, Saturday, Dec 14 and will re-open Tuesday, Dec. 17 before our holiday closure.

Feel free to drop by then.

11/28/2024

After a wondeful opening of the Black2TheFuture exhibition last week, join us for an artist talk this Friday - November 29 - from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Emmedia. Samuel Kugbiyi, Jairus Sharif, Ado Nkemka, Tim Meduna, and Nenritji Suwa will get to share their journey and inspirations.

We'll open the conversation with the audience to discuss the intersection of art and technology with storytelling and cultutal heritage in media arts. We'll wrap up with an opportunity to experience the work and mix and mingle with some food and refreshment. Come one, come all

11/27/2024

Join us for an inspiring evening on November 29 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Emmedia.

As we dive into the minds of the talented artists from the Black2TheFuture exhibition. This artist talk will be a unique opportunity to hear firsthand about the creative journeys of Samuel Kugbiyi, Jairus Sharif, Ado Nkemka, Tim Meduna, and Nenritji Suwa. We will talk about the intersection of art and technology, how we can shape new narratives within the Black experience, how we envision the future of media arts. We will also take the time to mix and mingle around tasty food and refreshing drinks. Save the date and be part of this vibrant conversation that celebrates Black creativity.

The event is free and everyone is welcome.

11/22/2024

Introducing Jairus Sharif and Modal's mentorship for the Black2TheFuture residency.

Jairus Sharif is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist, improviser, and producer whose artistic practice merges free improvisation, sound collage, and live looping, serving as a form of liberation technology for healing and self-expression. His extensive recordings connect free jazz, mysticism, blues, and hip-hop, while his live performances reveal an ongoing hermetic journey, presenting complex narratives beneath a dynamic exterior. For this residency, he decided to delve into the natural latency of electronic equipment, aiming to evoke feelings of temporal delusion through his innovative installation.

Under the guidance of Modal, a visualist known for crafting immersive visual experiences, Jairus will enhance the interactivity of his work, particularly through the exploration of VDMX. Modal casts pixels into the void, as visualists do. Sampling the world via photography, video, and animation, modal works to lend shape and texture, in real-time visual/audio performance collaborations, to soundscapes delivered in social/art/dance spaces.

Come experience this unique installation from November 22nd to December 12th at Emmedia. Opening reception on Nov 22
from 6 PM to 9 PM.

11/22/2024

Join us tomorrow (Nov 22) from 6 PM to 9 PM for the opening of the Black2TheFuture exhibition at Emmedia, showcasing the
remarkable talents of five Black media artists. This free event invites everyone to experience the diverse and powerful works of Samuel Adedoyin Kugbiyi, a multi-disciplinary storyteller; Jairus Sharif, a self-taught musical innovator; Ado Nkemka, a musician and writer known for his impactful performances; Tim Meduna, a visual artist and filmmaker; and Nenritji Suwa, a storyteller exploring Black identity through various mediums. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with thought-provoking art at the intersection of technology and the cultural heritage of Black communities. Everyone is welcome.

11/22/2024

Time to celebrate the mentorship pairing of Nenritji Suwa and Sarah Uwadiae as part of the Black2theFuture exhibition.

Nenritji Suwa is an emerging artist whose multifaceted approach encompasses filmmaking, journalism, content creation, and art research. Her work, deeply rooted in personal experiences, addresses the intricate layers of Black identity and the historical narratives of the Black diaspora, fostering essential conversations around race and struggle. For this residency, Nenritji chose to explore still photography short film and the dual apocalyptic experiences we faced in 2020.

Her mentor, Sarah Uwadiae, is a Nigerian filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist based in Calgary, who brings an extensive experience in set and costume design along with her expertise as an award-winning filmmaker to this residency. With accolades such as the Merit Award for her short film "Trapped (in her head)" and recognition for "To Belong" at the Toronto Documentary Feature and Short Film Festival, Sarah is also the creator and host of the podcast "Afros in the Diaspora," which amplifies the voices of Black immigrants.

Discover the work born out of this collaboration from November 22nd to December 12th at Emmedia

11/22/2024

Introducing the dynamic mentorship between Tim Meduna and Kathryn Fasegha as they gear up for the Black2theFuture exhibition opening on November 22, 2024, 6 PM at Emmedia.

Tim is a visionary creator from Oyo, Nigeria, now based in Calgary. With a background in microbiology and a transition into digital marketing and media, Tim's artistic repertoire includes photography, digital art, and filmmaking. His work has been displayed in prestigious galleries across Calgary, Victoria, and Edmonton, with notable achievements such as directing the film production for Calgary's inaugural Afrobeat festival, Afroswitch, and capturing the dynamic performances of Afrobeat artist R***r during a nationwide tour. The residency was an opportunity for him to enhance his filmmaking skills under the guidance of Kathryn Fasegha.

Kathryn is a distinguished Canadian filmmaker with roots in both the Canadian and Nigerian film industries. As the founder of BalminGilead Movie Productions Group of Companies, Kathryn has produced acclaimed films, including Treacherous Heart and 2 Weeks in Lagos, the latter of which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was released on Netflix following a successful theatrical run. Kathryn's commitment to highlighting authentic and underrepresented stories as well as supporting the next generation of filmmakers are invaluable to this residency.

Come witness the fruits of their hard work from November 22nd to December 12th at Emmedia.

11/19/2024

We are excited to announce the mentorship pairing of Ado Nkemka and Gbohunmi as part of the Black2theFuture residency. Ado is a multifaceted musician and writer whose work spans theatre, poetry, and journalism, with contributions to platforms such as CBC and artsUnite. She made her festival debut at Sled Island in 2022 and her album "I’m Not Afraid to Die Anymore", co-produced with James Bunton and funded by CADA, has gained radio airplay. Ado has participated in the TD Incubator program and opened for Vivek Shraya at FoundFest 2024. During her Black2TheFuture residency, Ado dedicated her efforts to creating two music videos for her single "BEYOND REPAIR," released on August 23, 2023.

Ado's mentor, Gbohunmi, is a Nigerian-born artist based in Canada who brings his diverse skills in film, photography, and music to the table. His passion for creativity drives him to explore various artistic forms, from street and fashion photography to narrative films and music videos. Gbohunmi's art has been showcased in prominent venues like Arts Commons, and his films have been featured at international galleries and film festivals, reflecting his diverse talents and innovative spirit.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness their artistic evolution and the vibrant contributions of emerging Black artists to the local arts scene. Check out the exhibition from November 22 to December 12th at Emmedia.

11/16/2024

Get ready to be inspired by the incredible mentorship pairing of Samuel Adedoyin Kugbiyi and Alia Aluma! Samuel is a multi-disciplinary artist and storyteller who co-founded SAK Productions, a media production company that has worked with organizations such as UNESCO, Global Rights, Amnesty International, The Potters Gallery amongst others. His practice include writing, voiceover, acting, visual arts, audio editing, sound design and directing. During his Black2TheFuture residency, Samuel chose to dive into the exciting world of animation. Using his digital drawing skills, he's crafting visual narratives that explore possible futures for Black communities.

Guiding Samuel on this incredible journey is Alia Aluma, a force of nature in the arts and media industry. From her curatorial roles at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and Contemporary Calgary to her work as the founding director of Aluma Studio & Agency, Alia's expertise and experience are vast. With her upcoming TV shows "Yesterday, Last Year" and "Gas Money" set to debut in 2025, she's shaping the future of Canadian screen.

We're incredibly excited to see the magic these two create together!

Discover it at the Black2TheFuture final exhibition opening on November 22nd, 6PM - 9PM at Emmedia.

Thank you to the Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation for their support in connecting us with talented immigrant artists like Samuel.

11/15/2024

Get ready to be blown away by the incredible talent and creativity of these 5 Black media artists as they unveil their powerful work at the Black2TheFuture final exhibition opening on November 22nd at 6PM at Emmedia!

🎨 Samuel Adedoyin Kugbiyi - A multi-disciplinary storyteller weaving narratives through writing, voice acting, visual arts, and more.

🎶 Jairus Sharif - A self-taught musical maestro blending free improvisation, sound collage, and live looping into a unique sonic experience for healing and self-discovery.

🎙️ Ado Nkemka/A.N. - A musician and writer whose powerful lyrics and electrifying performances explore personal experiences and societal issues with raw honesty.

🎬 Tim - A gifted visual artist, filmmaker, and digital marketing whiz who brings his unique lens to captivating stories and impactful campaigns
📸 Nenritji - A storyteller whose work delves into the complexities of Black identity and the diaspora, using filmmaking, journalism, and art research to create powerful dialogues and inspire reflection.

Don't miss the Black2TheFuture exhibition, November 22nd - December 12th at Emmedia.

Thank you to Calgary Arts Development for funding this program and to the Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation for their support.

11/14/2024

We're thrilled to introduce Diane Din Ebongue, the curator of Black2TheFuture, our groundbreaking residency program dedicated to Black media artists.

Diane is a Cameroonian-born and French-raised interdisciplinary artist and curator with a deep passion for intangible cultural heritage and empowering communities through art. Her journey has taken her across continents, from leading an indigenous-owned art center in Australia to advocating for human rights through participatory artworks in Cameroon.

Currently, Diane's artistic practice focuses on exploring the perception of skin tones in media arts. Her latest exhibition titled "I See Colours" is being presented at The Grand until November 16th. Go check it out!
We are incredibly grateful for Diane's dedication to Black2TheFuture and her commitment to amplifying Black voices.

11/13/2024

11/13/2024

Diane Din Ebongue is a Cameroonian-born and French-raised multidisciplinary artist, curator and arts manager passionate about intangible cultural heritage, empowerment processes and knowledge-sharing through arts. She holds a Master of Sciences, Arts and Techniques of Image and Sound from Aix-Marseille University and a Master of Technologies for Education and Training from Rennes 2 University.

While working for five years as an audiovisual technician and digital/cultural program manager in France, Diane began her advocacy work with the production of Palabres, a collection of participatory artworks advocating for human rights in Cameroon and France, showcased in 2018 during the first world conference held by the International Council on Archives in Africa. She then moved to Australia where she worked for indigenous art centres in remote communities. As the manager of Arlpwe Art and Culture Centre, she led the relaunch of the Artali Festival which celebrates the Australian indigenous peoples of the Barkly Region while supporting the career development of local artists.

Diane relocated to Canada in December 2021 to pursue her curatorial and artistic journey. Today, her work includes visual arts, literary arts and new media. Every time she chooses a medium, she explores its ability to serve as a common vocabulary for people who do not share the same cultural referents. Creating artwork is an opportunity for her to build an inclusive environment where complex matters can openly be discussed through a universal dialogue that transcends the barriers of philosophical beliefs and cultural sensitivity. Her artistic work has been selected for competitive residencies, exhibitions, publications, festivals and film screenings in Europe, Africa and North America.

10/30/2024

We think our field of Media Arts has been a bit derelict of late in some of its critical functions, particularly around technologies. This series aims to correct our path. This series aims to adjust our course. Focusing on one theme for six months at a time, The Future Of… series will be a durational investigation into a contemporary technology and its effects on society. Staged as a coffee chat once a month, about every two or three weeks? we invite media artists and stakeholders change stakeholders to community members to engage in dialogue and discussion, a kind of dreaming of the future– the one that is telemarked now and the one that could be if we create the right conditions for it to emerge. Treats will be provided!

WHEN: Wednesday, November 6th at 6PM - 7PM

WHERE: EMMEDIA Main Space, 2005B 10 Ave SW, Calgary AB

10/07/2024

EMMEDIA has been super busy the last weeks with back to back workshops🎞 Did you attend any of them? .anzola.g and taught Projection Mapping and After Effects for our community! What other workshops would you like to see from us?

10/05/2024

LAST WORKSHOP! Join Andrea Wong to learn all about professional sound recording and editing, and how to craft compelling soundscapes🎶🎶

This is the last workshop for our Black2theFuture residents and then they will be focused on creating a media artwork for their group exhibition opening on November 22nd. For most residents, this is their first work in media art!

📸Merkbah by Mohammad Ali Famori

Thank you to Calgary Arts Development for their support of this project.