A Long Dramatic Pause

July 25
Grotto | 2-2:30 PM

A Long Dramatic Pause is a live performance that explores strategies of resistance against ultranationalism and far-right politics through the languages of photography and theatre. Performed by Cindy Ansah and co-developed with artist Erdem Taşdelen, the narrative comprises twelve dramatic scenes that describe a photographic image, never showing it directly but rather bringing it to life through re-enactment and visual analysis.

At the heart of the photograph being described is a young woman, a figure of solidarity and defiance with whom the audience can identify. As the performer moves between observing and embodying this antifascist figure, the narrative gradually implicates the audience as if they had been unknowing protagonists in the image all along. With this, their focus shifts away from the performer towards their own agency and collective presence.

A Long Dramatic Pause is a process-based project developed anew with each staging. Every version emerges from a collaboration between the artist and a new performer, guided by a set of graphic scores created specifically for the work.

The first staging of A Long Dramatic Pause took place in London (UK) in September 2025. This second staging at Contemporary Calgary marks the performance’s Canadian premiere.

About the Artists

Cindy Ansah (she/her) is a storyteller, a vibrant embodiment of culture. A multidimensional creative, she embodies multiplicity as a dance artist, actress, filmmaker, writer, fashion visionary, and muse, dialoguing in Mohkínstsis (Calgary) and across Turtle Island. Since 2020, Cindy has been devoted to her role as Artistic Director of Not Another Political Playground Y’all (N.A.P.P.Y.), which has produced two acclaimed seasons. She co-founded the all-Black contemporary arts collective with collaborator Tiara Matusin, with the shared aspiration to champion Black artistry and collectivity in all its breadth, depth, and nuance.

Erdem Taşdelen (he/him) is an artist based in Tkaronto/Toronto, Canada. Through the use of diverse materials and media, he constructs semi-fictional narratives that incorporate unique historical figures, events and texts to implicate contemporary sociopolitical realities. His projects over the past 15 years have explored themes such as life under authoritarian rule; the theatricality and public spectacles of political discourse; migration, displacement and the haunting presence of the past in contemporary contexts; and the possibilities for self-expression and the limits of authorship within culturally learned forms. Taşdelen has exhibited at venues including The Power Plant, Aga Khan Museum and Mercer Union in Toronto; Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver; VOX Centre de l'image contemporaine, Montréal; Framer Framed, Amsterdam; Museum für Neue Kunst, Freiburg; and Pera Museum, Istanbul. He has been an artist-in-residence at the Delfina Foundation and Studio Voltaire, London; Hangar, Lisbon; Rupert, Vilnius; and KulturKontakt, Vienna. He was awarded the Joseph S. Stauffer Prize in Visual Arts by the Canada Council in 2016, the Charles Pachter Prize by Hnatyshyn Foundation in 2014, long-listed for the Sobey Art Award in 2019, and selected as a finalist for the Taoyuan International Art Award in 2025.

Contemporary Connections: Tagalog Tour

July 24
Ring Gallery | 12-1 PM

Contemporary Connections is a guided tour series designed to make art accessible and engaging for Calgary’s diverse communities. These events create a welcoming and inclusive space for participants to explore our exhibitions and connect with others, fostering meaningful relationships through the shared experience of contemporary art.

Admission: Free with advance registration; walk-ins welcome, space permitting

Exhibition Tour: Ghazaleh Avarzamani: Churn, Earn, Burn and then Return

Duration: 30-minute guided tour, followed by a post-tour conversation and optional mini mixer

Guide: Sophie Garcia is a Filipino educator and curator living and working in Mohkinstsis, Treaty 7 Territory. Originally from Manila, she immigrated to Canada in 2019 and draws on her lived experience as a newcomer in both her art and teaching practice. She is passionate about sharing diverse voices within the Canadian art landscape through community-rooted work in educational and artistic spaces. She has facilitated art workshops for children, newcomers, and older adults alongside non-profit organizations and has organized exhibitions across Calgary. Her curatorial work explores how belonging, memory, and identity are shaped by and rooted in the land. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Education with a minor in Museum & Heritage Studies from the University of Calgary, and currently teaches with the Calgary Board of Education.

We welcome your suggestions for future tours in other languages! Email us at info@contemporarycalgary.com

Contemporary Connections is supported by program partner Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI)

Contemporary Connections: Tagalog Tour

Biyernes, Hulyo 24 | 12-1 PM | Ring Gallery

Ang Contemporary Connections ay isang serye ng guided tour na ginawa upang gawing mas inklusibo ang sining para sa iba’t ibang komunidad sa Calgary. Layunin nitong magbigay ng pagkakataon sa mga kalahok na tuklasin ang aming mga eksibisyon at makipag-ugnayan sa iba sa pamamagitan ng kontemporaryong sining.

Pagpasok: Libre sa pagparehistro nang maaga; tumatanggap ng walk-ins kung may available na espasyo.

Titulo ng Kurator at ng Exhibition Tour: Ghazaleh Avarzamani: Churn, Earn, Burn and then Return

Tagal: Tatlumpung minutong (30 minutes) guided tour, na may kasunod na kuwentuhan at opsyonal na mini mixer.

Gabay: Si Sophie Garcia ay isang Pilipinang guro at kurator na naninirahan at nagtatrabaho sa Mohkinstsis, Treaty 7 Territory. Mula sa Maynila, lumipat siya sa Canada noong 2019 at ginagamit niya ang kanyang karanasan bilang bagong dating sa kanyang sining at pagtuturo. Mahilig siyang magbahagi ng iba’t ibang pananaw sa sining sa Canada sa pamamagitan ng mga proyektong pangkomunidad.

Siya ay nakapag-organisa ng mga art workshop sa mga bata, mga bagong dating, at mga senior kasama ng mga non-profit na organisasyon. Siya rin ay nakapag-organisa ng mga eksibisyon sa Calgary tungkol sa kung paano tayo nauugnay sa lupain, sa ating mga alaala, at sa ating pagkakakilanlan.

Nagtapos siya ng Bachelor of Fine Arts at Bachelor of Education na may minor sa Museum and Heritage Studies sa University of Calgary. Siya ngayon ay isang guro sa Calgary Board of Education.

Tinatanggap namin ang inyong mga mungkahi para sa mga susunod na tour sa iba pang mga wika! Mag-email sa amin sa info@contemporarycalgary.com.

Ang Contemporary Connections ay sinusuportahan ng program partner na Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI).

Perspective Film Series:

A Separation (2011), dir. Asghar Farhadi

July 19

5:30 PM | Dome Theatre

A Separation (2011) follows Nader and Simin, whose marriage dissolves when they disagree on emigrating. When Nader hires a religious woman to care for his Alzheimer's-stricken father, a chain of lies and a tragic incident lead to an intense legal battle that explores class, faith, and morality in modern Iran.

Country: Iran

123 minutes, in Farsi with English subtitles

Disclaimer: This film contains some difficult subject matter, including violence and nudity, which may be triggering for some viewers.

FREE for members. Non-members: $10—your ticket to this screening includes admission to Contemporary Calgary. Our galleries are open from 12-5 PM for viewing prior to attending the program.

About Perspective Film Series

Curated by associate curator Muriel N. Kahwagi, the 2026 edition of Perspective is conceived as a sustained meditation on disaster in its broadest and most resonant terms. While ecological catastrophe remains a central point of reference, the series extends beyond literal scenarios of environmental collapse or speculative visions of planetary ruin, approaching disaster as a condition that permeates both collective structures and private lives, unfolding across social, political, and emotional terrains. In this sense, disaster is understood not only as a single event, but as an ongoing state – slow, uneven, and often normalized through systems of power, habit, and belief. The films in this series examine how moments of crisis reshape perception and behaviour, revealing fractures in meaning, and reflecting on the ways in which hope may persist long after the moment of rupture has passed.

About the Curator

Muriel N. Kahwagi ((she/her)) is a writer and curator, working primarily across publishing and programming. Her research is centered on the politics of collecting and archiving the performative; and the act of listening as a form of preservation in and of itself. In 2023, she was the TD Curatorial Fellow at Art Windsor-Essex, and a curator as part of Vtape’s Curatorial Incubator, v.19. She is currently the Assistant Curator at Contemporary Calgary, and a programmer at the Toronto Arab Film Festival.

A Long Dramatic Pause

July 18
Grotto | 2-2:30 PM

A Long Dramatic Pause is a live performance that explores strategies of resistance against ultranationalism and far-right politics through the languages of photography and theatre. Performed by Cindy Ansah and co-developed with artist Erdem Taşdelen, the narrative comprises twelve dramatic scenes that describe a photographic image, never showing it directly but rather bringing it to life through re-enactment and visual analysis.

At the heart of the photograph being described is a young woman, a figure of solidarity and defiance with whom the audience can identify. As the performer moves between observing and embodying this antifascist figure, the narrative gradually implicates the audience as if they had been unknowing protagonists in the image all along. With this, their focus shifts away from the performer towards their own agency and collective presence.

A Long Dramatic Pause is a process-based project developed anew with each staging. Every version emerges from a collaboration between the artist and a new performer, guided by a set of graphic scores created specifically for the work.

The first staging of A Long Dramatic Pause took place in London (UK) in September 2025. This second staging at Contemporary Calgary marks the performance’s Canadian premiere.

Free with registration.

About the Artists

Cindy Ansah (she/her) is a storyteller, a vibrant embodiment of culture. A multidimensional creative, she embodies multiplicity as a dance artist, actress, filmmaker, writer, fashion visionary, and muse, dialoguing in Mohkínstsis (Calgary) and across Turtle Island. Since 2020, Cindy has been devoted to her role as Artistic Director of Not Another Political Playground Y’all (N.A.P.P.Y.), which has produced two acclaimed seasons. She co-founded the all-Black contemporary arts collective with collaborator Tiara Matusin, with the shared aspiration to champion Black artistry and collectivity in all its breadth, depth, and nuance.

Erdem Taşdelen (he/him) is an artist based in Tkaronto/Toronto, Canada. Through the use of diverse materials and media, he constructs semi-fictional narratives that incorporate unique historical figures, events and texts to implicate contemporary sociopolitical realities. His projects over the past 15 years have explored themes such as life under authoritarian rule; the theatricality and public spectacles of political discourse; migration, displacement and the haunting presence of the past in contemporary contexts; and the possibilities for self-expression and the limits of authorship within culturally learned forms. Taşdelen has exhibited at venues including The Power Plant, Aga Khan Museum and Mercer Union in Toronto; Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver; VOX Centre de l'image contemporaine, Montréal; Framer Framed, Amsterdam; Museum für Neue Kunst, Freiburg; and Pera Museum, Istanbul. He has been an artist-in-residence at the Delfina Foundation and Studio Voltaire, London; Hangar, Lisbon; Rupert, Vilnius; and KulturKontakt, Vienna. He was awarded the Joseph S. Stauffer Prize in Visual Arts by the Canada Council in 2016, the Charles Pachter Prize by Hnatyshyn Foundation in 2014, long-listed for the Sobey Art Award in 2019, and selected as a finalist for the Taoyuan International Art Award in 2025.

Contemporary Connections: Punjabi Tour

July 17
Ring Gallery | 12-1 PM

Contemporary Connections is a guided tour series designed to make art accessible and engaging for Calgary’s diverse communities. These events create a welcoming and inclusive space for participants to explore our exhibitions and connect with others, fostering meaningful relationships through the shared experience of contemporary art.

Admission: Free with advance registration; walk-ins welcome, space permitting

Exhibition Tour: Ghazaleh Avarzamani: Churn, Earn, Burn and then Return

Duration: 30-minute guided tour, followed by a post-tour conversation and optional mini mixer

Guide: Harpreet M Dayal is an author, poet, community convener, and believer in the power of the arts to connect and heal. Harpreet works with numerous non-profit, settlement, and arts organizations and collaborates with local businesses in Calgary through her platform. 

She founded 'Love Notes,' an event that gathers artists from across disciplines to create a performative love note to Calgary and beyond. Since its inception in 2017, Harpreet has collaborated with Arts Commons to bring Love Notes to their Amplify Cabaret Series, Moonlight Market, and cSpace. Her work has featured in HuffPost, Avenue Magazine, CBC, CTV, and the Canadian Mental Health Association.

We welcome your suggestions for future tours in other languages! Email us at info@contemporarycalgary.com

Contemporary Connections is supported by program partner Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI)

Contemporary Connections: ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਟੂਰ

ਸ਼ੁੱਕਰਵਾਰ, 17 ਜੁਲਾਈ | ਦੁਪਹਿਰ 12-1 ਵਜੇ | Ring Gallery

ਕੰਟੈਂਪਰੇਰੀ ਕਨੈਕਸ਼ਨ ਇੱਕ ਗਾਈਡਡ ਟੂਰ ਲੜੀ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਕੈਲਗਰੀ ਦੇ ਵਿਭਿੰਨ ਭਾਈਚਾਰਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਲਾ ਨੂੰ ਪਹੁੰਚਯੋਗ ਅਤੇ ਦਿਲਚਸਪ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਤਿਆਰ ਕੀਤੀ ਗਈ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਪ੍ਰੋਗਰਾਮ ਦਰਸ਼ਕਾਂ ਦਾ ਹਾਰਦਿਕ ਸੁਆਗਤ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਇਕ ਬਹੁਤ ਹੀ ਖ਼ਾਸ ਸਥਾਨ ਹੈ ਜਿੱਥੇ ਉਹ ਸਾਡੀਆਂ ਪ੍ਰਦਰਸ਼ਨੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੇਖ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਦੂਜਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲਜੁਲ ਕੇ ਇਸ ਆਧੁਨਿਕ ਕਲਾ ਦੇ ਸਾਂਝੇ ਅਨੁਭਵ ਦਾ ਅਹਿਸਾਸ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ।  

ਦਾਖਲਾ: ਐਡਵਾਂਸ ਰਜਿਸਟ੍ਰੇਸ਼ਨ ਨਾਲ ਮੁਫ਼ਤ; ਜਗ੍ਹਾ ਦੀ ਉਪਲਬਧਤਾ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ, ਬਿਨਾਂ ਰਜਿਸਟ੍ਰੇਸ਼ਨ ਦੇ ਵੀ ਆਉਣ ਦਾ ਸੁਆਗਤ ਹੈ।

ਪ੍ਰਦਰਸ਼ਨੀ ਟੂਰ: ਗ਼ਜ਼ਾਲੇਹ ਅਵਾਰਜ਼ਾਮਾਨੀ: Churn, Earn, Burn and then Return

ਮਿਆਦ: 30 ਮਿੰਟ ਦਾ ਟੂਰ, ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਗੱਲਬਾਤ ਅਤੇ ਜੇ ਚਾਹੋ ਤਾਂ ਥੋੜ੍ਹਾ ਮੇਲ-ਮਿਲਾਪ ਵੀ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇ ਹੋ। 

ਗਾਈਡ:  ਹਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਐਮ ਦਿਆਲ ਇੱਕ ਲੇਖਕ, ਕਵੀ, ਅਤੇ ਕਲਾ ਦੀ ਤਾਕਤ ਨੂੰ ਸਮਝਦੀ ਹੈ, ਜੋ ਆਰਟ ਰਾਹੀ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਜੋੜਨ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਕਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ ਰੱਖਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਹੈ। ਉਸਨੇ 'ਲਵ ਨੋਟਸ' ਦੀ ਸਥਾਪਨਾ ਕੀਤੀ, ਇੱਕ ਅਜਿਹਾ ਪ੍ਰੋਗਰਾਮ ਜੋ ਕੈਲਗਰੀ ਅਤੇ ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਹਰ ਇੱਕ ਪ੍ਰਦਰਸ਼ਨਕਾਰੀ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਪੱਤਰ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਵਿਸ਼ਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਕਲਾਕਾਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਇਕੱਠਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ। 2017 ਵਿੱਚ ਇਸਦੀ ਸ਼ੁਰੂਆਤ ਤੋਂ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਹੁਣ ਤੱਕ ਹਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਨੇ ਲਵ ਨੋਟਸ ਨੂੰ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਐਂਪਲੀਫਾਈ ਕੈਬਰੇ ਸੀਰੀਜ਼ (Amplify Cabaret Series), ਮੂਨਲਾਈਟ ਮਾਰਕੀਟ (Moonlight Market), ਅਤੇ ਸੀ-ਸਪੇਸ (cSpace) ਵਿੱਚ ਲਿਆਉਣ ਲਈ ਆਰਟਸ ਕਾਮਨਜ਼ ਨਾਲ ਸਹਿਯੋਗ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ। ਹਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਨੇ HuffPost, Avenue Magazine, CBC, CTV, ਅਤੇ ਕੈਨੇਡੀਅਨ ਮੈਂਟਲ ਹੈਲਥ ਐਸੋਸੀਏਸ਼ਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਪ੍ਰਦਰਸ਼ਿਤ ਹੋ ਚੁੱਕਾ ਹੈ।

ਅਸੀਂ ਹੋਰ ਭਾਸ਼ਾਵਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਭਵਿੱਖ ਦੇ ਟੂਰਾਂ ਲਈ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਸੁਝਾਵਾਂ ਦਾ ਸੁਆਗਤ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਾਂ! ਸਾਨੂੰ info@contemporarycalgary.com ਤੇ ਈਮੇਲ ਕਰੋ। 

ਇਹ ਪ੍ਰੋਗਰਾਮ, ‘ਕੰਟੈਂਪਰੇਰੀ ਕਨੈਕਸ਼ਨ’ ਵੱਲੋਂ, ਇਮੀਗ੍ਰੈਂਟ ਕੌਂਸਲ ਫਾਰ ਆਰਟਸ ਇਨੋਵੇਸ਼ਨ (ICAI) ਦੀ ਸਪੋਰਟ ਨਾਲ ਹੋ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ। 

Pancake Breakfast

Thursday, July 9
8:30-11 AM | Front Plaza

With the help of the Calgary Stampede Batter Boys and Western Welcome, we invite you to join us for a FREE Pancake Breakfast! Enjoy a morning meal featuring treats from Downtown West favourites, Art Café and Alforno, live music by local talent Melody Stang, and drop-in art activities for all ages. Returning again this year is local artist Erik Olson, who will be making artful pancakes.

To keep the western spirit going, the Ranchman's Promotional Dance Team will be on site to lead a fun, drop-in line dancing tutorial. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or trying line dancing for the first time, everyone is welcome to join in!

Come for breakfast, stay for the art! Our exhibitions are open to explore free of charge from 9-11 AM. Bring your family and friends and celebrate with a morning of music, art, creativity, and community.

Donations are welcome to support the art of community building which we bring to life year round here at Contemporary Calgary.

FREE to the public—while supplies last. 

Free First Thursday

July 2
5-9 PM

Join us for Free First Thursday on July 2 at Contemporary Calgary! Enjoy complimentary admission from 5–9 PM, and a full evening of exhibitions and tours, hands-on creativity, and a feature Quickdraw Animation Society Activation. 

Inspired by the Surrealist drawing game, Exquisite Corpse, the students of the Alberta University of Arts Animation Development Course created looping stream-of-consciousness animated characters not knowing they would be remixed with the creations of their classmates. The result is an outrageous combination of over 300 different character combinations, screened in our front Plaza.

Get Stampede-ready with a hands-on airbrush bandana workshop led by Calgary artist Karin McGinn. Explore surface design techniques while McGinn guides you through the process using her own airbrushing techniques to help you create your very own airbrush painted bandana. No experience necessary, all materials provided.

Come explore our galleries, enjoy guided exhibition tours, and participate in a Stampede inspired drop-in art-making session.

Art for All – FREE with registration

Calling all AUArts Students! 

In recognition of the centennial milestone, Contemporary Calgary is offering complimentary annual memberships throughout 2026 to all currently enrolled AUArts undergraduate and graduate students. Stop by, support your peers in the Animation Development Course and get your FREE Membership.

Exhibition tours:

• At 6 & 8 PM, gather outside the Ring Gallery for a guided tour of Ghazaleh Avarzamani: Churn, Earn, Burn and then Return.

On view:

• Ghazaleh Avarzamani: Churn, Earn, Burn and then Return

• Adelita Husni Bey: Agency

• Haig Aivazian: You May Own the Lanterns, but We Have the Light

• Erdem Taşdelen: Wounded in Three Acts

• Richard Ibghy & Marilou Lemmens: Stacking Crates to Reach a Banana

Perspective Film Series:

Until the End of the World (1991), dir. Wim Wenders

June 28

5:30 PM | Dome Theatre

Wim Wenders’ 1991 sci-fi epic, Until the End of the World, follows Claire Tourneur across a near-future, globe-spanning apocalypse in 1999. She pursues Trevor McPhee, a man carrying a device designed to record visual experiences for his blind mother. As they flee the CIA, a damaged nuclear satellite threatens civilization, forcing them to confront the dangerous, addictive nature of technology and dreams. 

Country: Australia, Germany, France, US

158 minutes, in English, French, and German with English subtitles

Disclaimer: This film contains some difficult subject matter, including violence and nudity, which may be triggering for some viewers.

FREE for members. Non-members: $10—your ticket to this screening includes admission to Contemporary Calgary. Our galleries are open from 12-5 PM for viewing prior to attending the program.

About Perspective Film Series

Curated by associate curator Muriel N. Kahwagi, the 2026 edition of Perspective is conceived as a sustained meditation on disaster in its broadest and most resonant terms. While ecological catastrophe remains a central point of reference, the series extends beyond literal scenarios of environmental collapse or speculative visions of planetary ruin, approaching disaster as a condition that permeates both collective structures and private lives, unfolding across social, political, and emotional terrains. In this sense, disaster is understood not only as a single event, but as an ongoing state – slow, uneven, and often normalized through systems of power, habit, and belief. The films in this series examine how moments of crisis reshape perception and behaviour, revealing fractures in meaning, and reflecting on the ways in which hope may persist long after the moment of rupture has passed.

About the Curator

Muriel N. Kahwagi ((she/her)) is a writer and curator, working primarily across publishing and programming. Her research is centered on the politics of collecting and archiving the performative; and the act of listening as a form of preservation in and of itself. In 2023, she was the TD Curatorial Fellow at Art Windsor-Essex, and a curator as part of Vtape’s Curatorial Incubator, v.19. She is currently the Assistant Curator at Contemporary Calgary, and a programmer at the Toronto Arab Film Festival.

Contemporary Connections: Cantonese Tour

June 27
Ring Gallery | 12-1 PM

Contemporary Connections is a guided tour series designed to make art accessible and engaging for Calgary’s diverse communities. These events create a welcoming and inclusive space for participants to explore our exhibitions and connect with others, fostering meaningful relationships through the shared experience of contemporary art.

Admission: Free with advance registration; walk-ins welcome, space permitting

Exhibition Tour: Ghazaleh Avarzamani: Churn, Earn, Burn and then Return

Duration: 30-minute guided tour, followed by a post-tour conversation and optional mini mixer

Guide: Phoenix Ning graduated from the Alberta University of the Arts with a major in Visual Communication Design. She is a multidisciplinary visual creator working across digital design, craft-based practices, and public art. She has been actively involved in community-based volunteer work and has led and realized multiple public art projects across Calgary.

We welcome your suggestions for future tours in other languages! Email us at info@contemporarycalgary.com

Contemporary Connections is supported by program partner Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI)

當代藝術連結（Contemporary Connections）：粵語導覽

6月27日（星期六）
Ring Gallery展館 | 12-1 PM

當代藝術連結（Contemporary Connections）是卡加利當代藝術館（Contemporary Calgary）舉辦的多語言導覽系列，旨在為來自不同社區及文化背景的觀眾提供一個開放且包容的共享空間，讓參與者更深入地探索藝術作品、促進彼此交流，並建立更具意義的連結。

入場費：免費（需預先登記；名額有限，亦歡迎現場參與）

展覽導覽：
藝術家 Ghazaleh Avarzamani
《Churn, Earn, Burn and then Return》(流轉、收穫、燃燒，最終回歸)

導覽時長：
約30分鐘，隨後設有交流環節。

導賞員：
寧可菲(Phoenix Kefei Ning), 畢業於阿爾伯塔藝術大學（Alberta University of the Arts）視覺傳達設計專業，創作涵蓋設計、工藝實踐及公共藝術。長期參與卡加利不同社區的志願服務，並組織與策劃多個公共藝術項目。

歡迎對我們的多語言導覽提出建議！
請電郵至：info@contemporarycalgary.com

本活動由合作夥伴 Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI) 支持

Simran Workshop

June 20
2-3 PM

Learn about Simran, a focused practice for the mind designed to help you build clarity and resilience. 

Through guided sessions, you will learn how to quieten the mind and build an inner practice you can keep coming back to for a deeper, peaceful connection with your true self. 

FREE and OPEN TO ALL.

JOURNEY OF THE MIND is presented in partnership with Contemporary Calgary.

ABOUT without SHAPE without FORM 

without SHAPE without FORM is an assembly of artists, thinkers and cultural practitioners committed to making moments of self-discovery accessible for everyone. Rooted in Sikh philosophical concepts, their contemporary artistic programme enables people to have meaningful conversations about the mind. 

Guided by insights and tools from over 500 years of Sikh knowledge, without SHAPE without FORM explores a transformative philosophy that pursues self-mastery in the service of others, connecting courage, compassion and community with a commitment to education, collaboration and exchange. 

without SHAPE without FORM create spaces to explore the power of the mind – through curating exhibitions, producing podcasts, publishing articles, delivering workshops and hosting gatherings for Simran (a practice of stillness and deep listening). These encounters help people find peace, resilience and purpose in an increasingly noisy and fractured world. 

Social action and openness are central to everything we do. Their approach is boundaryless, experiential and participatory – inviting global voices to a cross-cultural dialogue about purposeful living. 

Simran Workshop

June 20
2-3 PM

Learn about Simran, a focused practice for the mind designed to help you build clarity and resilience. 

Through guided sessions, you will learn how to quieten the mind and build an inner practice you can keep coming back to for a deeper, peaceful connection with your true self. 

FREE and OPEN TO ALL.

JOURNEY OF THE MIND is presented in partnership with Contemporary Calgary.

ABOUT without SHAPE without FORM 

without SHAPE without FORM is an assembly of artists, thinkers and cultural practitioners committed to making moments of self-discovery accessible for everyone. Rooted in Sikh philosophical concepts, their contemporary artistic programme enables people to have meaningful conversations about the mind. 

Guided by insights and tools from over 500 years of Sikh knowledge, without SHAPE without FORM explores a transformative philosophy that pursues self-mastery in the service of others, connecting courage, compassion and community with a commitment to education, collaboration and exchange. 

without SHAPE without FORM create spaces to explore the power of the mind – through curating exhibitions, producing podcasts, publishing articles, delivering workshops and hosting gatherings for Simran (a practice of stillness and deep listening). These encounters help people find peace, resilience and purpose in an increasingly noisy and fractured world. 

Social action and openness are central to everything we do. Their approach is boundaryless, experiential and participatory – inviting global voices to a cross-cultural dialogue about purposeful living. 

Contemporary Connections: Farsi Tour

June 20
Ring Gallery | 12-1 PM

Contemporary Connections is a guided tour series designed to make art accessible and engaging for Calgary’s diverse communities. These events create a welcoming and inclusive space for participants to explore our exhibitions and connect with others, fostering meaningful relationships through the shared experience of contemporary art.

Admission: Free with advance registration; walk-ins welcome, space permitting

Exhibition Tour: Ghazaleh Avarzamani: Churn, Earn, Burn and then Return

Duration: 30-minute guided tour, followed by a post-tour conversation and optional mini mixer

Guide: Shaghayegh (Poppy) Ghasemi is a PhD candidate at the University of Calgary, with research focusing on children. She holds a bachelor's degree in Museum Studies and a master's in Anthropology. Awards from both the University of Manitoba and the University of Calgary have supported her research on child neglect. Poppy has over six years of hands-on experience working with children and youth in museums and schools across Iran, Turkey, and Canada. Before joining Contemporary Calgary, she was a program educator at the Manitoba Children's Museum. She is passionate about activating children's critical and creative thinking through programs delivered in English, French, Farsi, and Turkish. In her leisure time, she enjoys cooking and playing chess.

We welcome your suggestions for future tours in other languages! Email us at info@contemporarycalgary.com

Contemporary Connections is supported by program partner Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI)

Power of Connection Workshop

June 19
5:30-7 PM

Develop sharper attention and deeper awareness to strengthen connection and collaboration. 

This hands-on workshop invites you to experience togetherness through sound, drawing and movement, offering an opportunity to connect more deeply with yourself and others while creating collaborative artwork. 

FREE and OPEN TO ALL.

JOURNEY OF THE MIND is presented in partnership with Contemporary Calgary.

ABOUT without SHAPE without FORM 

without SHAPE without FORM is an assembly of artists, thinkers and cultural practitioners committed to making moments of self-discovery accessible for everyone. Rooted in Sikh philosophical concepts, their contemporary artistic programme enables people to have meaningful conversations about the mind. 

Guided by insights and tools from over 500 years of Sikh knowledge, without SHAPE without FORM explores a transformative philosophy that pursues self-mastery in the service of others, connecting courage, compassion and community with a commitment to education, collaboration and exchange. 

without SHAPE without FORM create spaces to explore the power of the mind – through curating exhibitions, producing podcasts, publishing articles, delivering workshops and hosting gatherings for Simran (a practice of stillness and deep listening). These encounters help people find peace, resilience and purpose in an increasingly noisy and fractured world. 

Social action and openness are central to everything we do. Their approach is boundaryless, experiential and participatory – inviting global voices to a cross-cultural dialogue about purposeful living. 

Simran Workshop

June 18
5:30-6:30 PM

Learn about Simran, a focused practice for the mind designed to help you build clarity and resilience. 

Through guided sessions, you will learn how to quieten the mind and build an inner practice you can keep coming back to for a deeper, peaceful connection with your true self. 

FREE and OPEN TO ALL.

JOURNEY OF THE MIND is presented in partnership with Contemporary Calgary.

ABOUT without SHAPE without FORM 

without SHAPE without FORM is an assembly of artists, thinkers and cultural practitioners committed to making moments of self-discovery accessible for everyone. Rooted in Sikh philosophical concepts, their contemporary artistic programme enables people to have meaningful conversations about the mind. 

Guided by insights and tools from over 500 years of Sikh knowledge, without SHAPE without FORM explores a transformative philosophy that pursues self-mastery in the service of others, connecting courage, compassion and community with a commitment to education, collaboration and exchange. 

without SHAPE without FORM create spaces to explore the power of the mind – through curating exhibitions, producing podcasts, publishing articles, delivering workshops and hosting gatherings for Simran (a practice of stillness and deep listening). These encounters help people find peace, resilience and purpose in an increasingly noisy and fractured world. 

Social action and openness are central to everything we do. Their approach is boundaryless, experiential and participatory – inviting global voices to a cross-cultural dialogue about purposeful living. 

Film Screening  

June 18
Heather Edwards Theatre | 4-7 PM

A screening of two animated short films, ‘A STORM WITHIN’ by Gagandeep Chahal and ‘THE GAME OF LIFE’ by Christian Woods. 

The animations explore the nature of thoughts – the impact on the mind and how they shape our internal state. They invite visitors to reflect on how thoughts influence our everyday experience and consider what it would feel like to experience the mind without the constant noise. 

Both films are commissioned by without SHAPE without FORM as part of the exhibition, JOURNEY OF THE MIND.  

FREE and OPEN TO ALL. No registration required. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

JOURNEY OF THE MIND is presented in partnership with Contemporary Calgary.

ABOUT without SHAPE without FORM 

without SHAPE without FORM is an assembly of artists, thinkers and cultural practitioners committed to making moments of self-discovery accessible for everyone. Rooted in Sikh philosophical concepts, their contemporary artistic programme enables people to have meaningful conversations about the mind. 

Guided by insights and tools from over 500 years of Sikh knowledge, without SHAPE without FORM explores a transformative philosophy that pursues self-mastery in the service of others, connecting courage, compassion and community with a commitment to education, collaboration and exchange. 

without SHAPE without FORM create spaces to explore the power of the mind – through curating exhibitions, producing podcasts, publishing articles, delivering workshops and hosting gatherings for Simran (a practice of stillness and deep listening). These encounters help people find peace, resilience and purpose in an increasingly noisy and fractured world. 

Social action and openness are central to everything we do. Their approach is boundaryless, experiential and participatory – inviting global voices to a cross-cultural dialogue about purposeful living. 

Calgary on Purpose

June 17

7 PM | Heather Edwards Theatre

In this time of stress and confusion we deeply value the opportunity to gather in a caring community delighting in the good will and remarkable talents of our neighbors. Each of us has an opportunity to contribute to building an even better Calgary and it can only be done together. Come be energized by delight, conversation, and community connection.

The theme of our June 17 event is "men in our lives". 

The guests are the very funny and insightful author Will Ferguson, brothers Jason and Sheldon Valleau the founders of the Polyjesters who self describe as "a Canadian Swing Band bent on world domination" and new spoken word creation by Priscille Buckahsa. Our estimable MC, Dave Kelly, will share a new story on the complexity of family life and lead a good conversation about what is possible for our beloved Calgary. 

FREE to attend. Spots are limited.

Guests are welcome and encouraged to stay after the formal event to mingle and continue the conversation. Paid bar will be available.

Please pre-register to reserve your seat—and invite your friends, family, and colleagues. 

Calgary on Purpose events are gifts to our community. If you register for one of our evenings, please make every effort to attend. If for some reason you can't, please give up your spot so that others can join.

Thanks to the support of the many Calgary on Purpose volunteers, Calgary Arts Development, and Contemporary Calgary the evening is free of charge. 

About Calgary on Purpose

Calgary on Purpose (C on P) is a citizen-based project dedicated to growing Calgary’s reputation as a model for how the people of the world can live well together. At the heart of our work are artists who act as community convenors, bridge builders, expanders of civic imagination, and storytellers. C on P hosts artist-led events that build community and common purpose for Calgarians which can also act as models for what’s possible across the city, province, and country.

About the Speakers

The Polyjesters

The Polyjesters are a Canadian Swing/Folk band created by brothers Jason and Sheldon Valleau. Born on the streets of France in 1999, they eventually brought the act back home to Canada, eventually touring much of the world, including Europe, Japan, Epcot Centre and thousands of gigs across North America. They are often accompanied by virtuoso soloists, and there are rumours that, in their 27th year, new songs are in the works to refuel their troubadour lifestyle and share their love of live music.

Priscille Bukasa

Priscille Bukasa is a Calgary-based spoken word artist, writer, and teaching artist with over 15 years of performance experience. Her work bridges poetry, storytelling, and community engagement, centering voice, cultural identity, and social reflection. She has performed at festivals, conferences, and cultural events including Chinook Blast, Ethnik Festival of Arts and Culture, Block Heater Festival, and the ICC 6 Degrees Conference. In 2025, she co-wrote and narrated Oscar, a Hones-commissioned production that premiered at the Jack Singer Concert Hall. Priscille has worked extensively as a Teaching Artist with the Werklund Centre and Arts ReimaginED, and currently serves as Festival Coordinator for Arts ReimaginED. 

Will Ferguson

Author and travel writer Will Ferguson AOE is a three-time winner of the Leacock Medal for Humour, whose novel 419 won the Giller Prize for Literature in 2012. He grew up in the small town of Fort Vermilion in northern Alberta, and in 2024, was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence.

About the Host

Dave Kelly

Dave Kelly is an award-winning host, writer, and interviewer who creates intelligent and deeply human moments for events and keynote conversations around the world. He is the host of Dave Kelly Live - Canada’s own talk variety show. From his beginnings as a TV Host, Dave has spent decades leading conversations with business and political leaders across North America and beyond, from Stanford School of Business in California to Amman, Jordan and everywhere in between. He has led conferences and ran panels in categories as varied as health care, financial technology and artificial intelligence.  He sat down for an hour-long in-depth conversation with Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in Montreal, Ellen DeGeneres selected Dave as the moderator and interviewer for her multi-city tour across Canada, and he hosted a conversation with President Barack Obama in Calgary. Dave is the co-founder of Kelly Brothers Productions, an award-winning video and entertainment company.

Supported by

Language Processing in Minds and Machines - with Dr. Brian Dillon

June 16
6 PM
Heather Edwards Theatre

Join us for a rich evening of linguistics with scientist Dr. Brian Dillon, Ph.D. talking about artificial intelligence and human language. In the 21st century, particularly in a multicultural society such as Canada, an understanding of language is critical to all aspects of our cultural, social and political interactions. Linguistic models and theories underlie many of the technologies we rely on, including speech recognition, chatbots, and generative artificial intelligence. Now more than ever, it is essential for the public to understand how language and linguistics contribute to a well-functioning society. Linguistics is a diverse field of study with a wide spectrum of research underpinning many disciplines and professional fields. Applied fields like Speech-Language Pathology and Natural Language Processing rely on theoretical and experimental linguistics. In this event, Dr. Brian Dillon, Ph.D. will discuss the current debates about the fundamental nature of human language, the role that artificial intelligence has to play in understanding this aspect of ourselves, and the role that linguistic science has to play in understanding what makes us human. The talk will be preceded and followed by a light reception and an exhibition showcasing research currently being conducted by UCalgary linguistics students. During the reception/exhibition, audience members will have an opportunity to talk to the students about the research they do and participate in research demos.

Note that registration for the event is free but required and it will close when we reach capacity.

About the Speaker

Dr. Brian Dillon, Ph.D

Dr. Brian Dillon, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA, specializing in psycholinguistics. His research focuses on the cognitive mechanisms that underlie syntactic processing in typically developing adults, with a special interest in the relationship between grammatical structure and working memory processes. Dr. Dillon investigates this topic in a variety of languages, seeking to under- stand how the grammar of a given language influences how linguistic input is processed in memory. He prioritizes gathering insights from typologically diverse languages (e.g., Tagalog, Turkish, Chinese, Hindi, Russian, Hebrew) in addition to English in order to understand both universal and language-specific aspects of language processing. His work uses a variety of experimental techniques, including eye-tracking-while-reading, visual world eye-tracking, and electrophysiological measures and has been published widely in both linguistics and cognitive science journals, including the Journal of Memory and Language, Open Mind, Glossa Psycholinguistics, Syntax, Cognition, and Topics in Cognitive Science. He is now in his 4th year of service as a founding Co-Editor-in-Chief of Glossa Psycholinguistics.

About the Talk

Language processing in minds and machines: What makes language human?

Recent advances in artificial intelligence have allowed computers to use language to a degree that can sometimes feel like science fiction. These advances have renewed fundamental debates about the nature of language, typically thought to be a uniquely human ability. These debates touch on questions like: Do large language models process language like humans do? How does language develop in humans - what is the role of nature versus nurture? What can these models tell us about the distinctly human capacity for language? And finally, what can a deeper understanding of human language contribute to the study of artificial intelligence? In this talk, I will discuss these ongoing debates about the fundamental nature of human language, the role that artificial intelligence has to play in understanding this aspect of ourselves, and the role that linguistic science has to play in understanding what makes us human.

The event is generously supported by the University of Calgary through the Visiting Scholar program and Contemporary Calgary.

You can find more about Linguistics at UCalgary here: https://www.calgarylinguistics.ca/ or follow us on social media @UCalgaryLing.

Heritage Calgary’s Report to the Community

June 15
2-4 PM
Heather Edwards Theatre

Please join us on Monday, June 15, 2026, for Heritage Calgary’s Report to the Community at The Heather Edwards Theatre in Contemporary Calgary from 2-4 PM.

As part of the event, we will discuss Calgary’s Olympic history and the legacy of the 1988 Winter Olympics with people representing the past, present and future of our Olympic legacy.

Following the panel, you are invited to join us for refreshments and networking.

About Heritage Calgary

Heritage Calgary is a charitable Civic Partner of the City of Calgary. Our mandate is to:

• Advise City Council and Administration on all matters relating to Calgary’s heritage.

• Evaluate potential historic sites.

• Maintain Calgary’s Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources.

• Promote public awareness of our shared heritage.

Simran Workshop

June 14
2-3 PM

Learn about Simran, a focused practice for the mind designed to help you build clarity and resilience. 

Through guided sessions, you will learn how to quieten the mind and build an inner practice you can keep coming back to for a deeper, peaceful connection with your true self. 

FREE and OPEN TO ALL.

JOURNEY OF THE MIND is presented in partnership with Contemporary Calgary.

ABOUT without SHAPE without FORM 

without SHAPE without FORM is an assembly of artists, thinkers and cultural practitioners committed to making moments of self-discovery accessible for everyone. Rooted in Sikh philosophical concepts, their contemporary artistic programme enables people to have meaningful conversations about the mind. 

Guided by insights and tools from over 500 years of Sikh knowledge, without SHAPE without FORM explores a transformative philosophy that pursues self-mastery in the service of others, connecting courage, compassion and community with a commitment to education, collaboration and exchange. 

without SHAPE without FORM create spaces to explore the power of the mind – through curating exhibitions, producing podcasts, publishing articles, delivering workshops and hosting gatherings for Simran (a practice of stillness and deep listening). These encounters help people find peace, resilience and purpose in an increasingly noisy and fractured world. 

Social action and openness are central to everything we do. Their approach is boundaryless, experiential and participatory – inviting global voices to a cross-cultural dialogue about purposeful living. 

Contemporary Kids: Creative Music-Making

June 14

1-2:30 PM or 3-4:30 PM
Workshop

Join us for a special musical workshop in collaboration with the Sound Atlas New Music Festival! The sessions will be led by the talented musicians from the Festival’s Contemporary Performance Lab (CPL) Fellowship.

We will start with a special live musical tour of Erdem Taşdelen’s graphic scores. Kids will then team up to create their own seasonal graphic score, exploring how visual elements can shape the way music sounds. They will also learn how to collaborate on improvisation and creative music-making. Together, we'll transform the graphic scores into original musical pieces that tell stories about the nature that surrounds us.

No experience required—just bring your imagination! The workshop will offer a unique blend of hands-on activities and live performances by SAF musicians, bringing the visual artworks to life through an immersive sonic experience.

Our free onsite Contemporary Kids programs invite children to learn about modern and contemporary art through unique and engaging art activities. 

For children ages 5-12. Maximum group of 25 children, with one guardian per child.

Questions? Please visit our FAQ page.

Contemporary Calgary Educational Programs are often photographed. This photography includes the participants, parents or guardians and their creations. If you wish not to be photographed, please let Contemporary Calgary education staff know upon arrival, and they will assist you.

The same workshop is offered in two sessions for your convenience: two sessions on June 14. Choose one session that suits your schedule best. 

Sunday, June 14
1:00-2:30 PM

Sunday, June 14
3:00-4:30 PM

About Sound Atlas New Music Festival (SAF)

Sound Atlas New Music Festival (SAF) embarks on its fourth year by gathering sound as a living geography—charted not by borders, but by forces that shape how music is imagined, made, and shared. We are thrilled to present season IV Realms of Influence, with our ears fixed on the currents that move through contemporary creation: lineage and rupture, place and displacement, technology and touch. Across three days, the festival becomes a meeting ground where composers, performers, and listeners step into overlapping worlds, each shaped by distinct gravitational pulls and soundscapes rooted in modern composition, sound design, and inspiring performances of chamber music.

With this year's featured composer, Kevin Day, the artist lineup reflects influence not as hierarchy, but as conversation. Established voices share space with emerging ones; acoustic ritual collides with digital speculation; local histories resonate alongside global idioms. Some works trace their power back to mentors and traditions, while others are shaped by machines, networks, and the altered acoustics of modern life.

Sound Atlas Festival 2026 and the Contemporary Performance Lab are sponsored by Walt and Irene Deboni.

About the Instructors

Yuan Ge, Director of Education, Sound Atlas Festival 

Yuan Ge holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Business & Management from Berklee College of Music and a Master’s degree in Music Industry Leadership from Northeastern University. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Music Education at the University of Calgary.

Originally from the music business world, Yuan spearheaded marketing efforts for artists such as Christina Aguilera and Kenshi Yonezu in his previous positions. Now with over four years of music education experience in both private and public capacities, he brings his expertise in creative marketing and education as the Director of Education for the Sound Atlas Festival. He is also the social media manager for the JUNO-nominated band, Ginger Beef, and serves as the chairperson of the board for the Young Professional Musicians Collective.

Matthew Barnett (Piano)

Matthew is a 22-year-old pianist from Calgary, Canada with an interest in contemporary works and collaborative music experiences. A Recent graduate of the Bachelor of Music Program at the University of Calgary, Matthew has also sought specialized education in Collaborative work with Vocalists, attending the Collaborative Piano Institute in June of 2024 and earning an Advanced Performance Diploma from the Mount Royal Conservatory. Matthew has worn many hats, performing wherever will take him, as the pianist for Cowtown Brass Band, Calgary Unitarians, featured pianist for the UCalgary Jazz Orchestra and the Alberta Winds Ensemble, and more. When he can escape the practice room, Matthew explores his fascination with history and how we discuss our past. Matthew is very excited to be a part of the Sound Atlas Festival and to work with so many amazing people.

Gabrielle Marquis (Flute)

Gabrielle Marquis is currently in the final year of her Bachelor of Music degree in Flute Performance at the University of Calgary, where she studies with Dr. Lucie Jones. A dedicated ensemble musician, she served as principal flute for the University of Calgary Orchestra from 2022 to 2024 and has been a member of the Wind Ensemble since the beginning of her degree. Outside of university, Gabby is a long-time participant in the Academy Programme for Young Artists at the Mount Royal University Conservatory, through which she has received chamber and performance coaching, and performed in masterclasses for guest artists such as Jim Walker, Carolyn Christie, and Joanna G’froerer. In addition to her performance work, she is passionate about music education and teaches privately. Gabby also has a growing interest in flute repair and preventative maintenance, particularly regarding school band instruments.

Sweta Babladi (Flute)

Sweta Babladi is a Calgary-born flautist, singer and teacher who is currently completing her Bachelor of Music at the University of Calgary studying flute performance with Dr. Lucie Jones. Her passion for music started with her early training in vocal Carnatic music and the piano, and she found her love for the flute through her school bands at the age of 12.

Currently, Sweta is Co-Principal Flute in the MRU Conservatory’s Calgary Youth Orchestra and the University of Calgary Orchestra, as well as a member of the University of Calgary Wind Ensemble. She performed with the Mount Royal Chamber Flutes in 2023, and is a founding member of the recently established Seraphina Flute Quartet.

Sweta is dedicated to music education and advocacy in the performing arts. As a private studio instructor, she regularly works with young children one-on-one to teach them the flute and piano. During her time in the Calgary Pro Musica’s 2025-2026 Young Artists Development Program, she had the opportunity to develop her skills as a performer while working to create school concerts that captivate young audiences.

Henry Wu (Percussion)

Henry Wu (b. 2001) is a percussionist born in China and based in Montréal, Canada. As a percussionist, Henry enjoys working with a full range of percussion instruments in many contexts, as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. He has performed with many orchestras and wind ensembles in Canada and China, including the McGill Symphony Orchestra, Ammolite Opera, the Alberta Winds, Calgary Civic Symphony, Orchestra Academia China, and the Beijing Wind Orchestra. As a soloist, Henry was the first-prize winner of the 2024 University of Calgary Bach Competition. He has performed at conferences such as The Space Between IV, hosted by the Canadian Percussion Network. Henry obtained his Bachelor of Music degree from University of Calgary and is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Percussion Performance at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University, under the instruction of Fabrice Marandola, Kristie Ibrahim, Alexandre Lavoie and Shawn Mativetsky.

About our Education Facilitators

Vicky Xingyu Gu
(she/her)

TD Education Facilitator

Vicky Xingyu Gu is a Chinese animator who holds a BFA in Animation from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and an MFA in Digital Arts & Animation from the University of Southern California. During her studies, she explored narrative, documentary, and experimental forms of animation. Her works draw inspiration from cultural conflicts, emotional struggles, and societal issues, while experimenting with both digital and traditional media to create layered, hybrid, and provocative forms of storytelling. Since relocating to Calgary, she has become an active participant in the local arts community. She has been teaching various forms of animation with Quickdraw Animation Society and enjoys guiding participants of all ages through creative practices such as drawing, collage, mixed media, and visual storytelling. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and baking, watching animated movies, and playing horror games.

Shaghayegh (Poppy) Ghasemi
(she/her)

Education Facilitator

Shaghayegh (Poppy) Ghasemi is a PhD candidate at the University of Calgary, with research focusing on children. She holds a bachelor's degree in Museum Studies and a master's in Anthropology. Awards from both the University of Manitoba and the University of Calgary have supported her research on child neglect. Poppy has over six years of hands-on experience working with children and youth in museums and schools across Iran, Turkey, and Canada. Before joining Contemporary Calgary, she was a program educator at the Manitoba Children's Museum. She is passionate about activating children's critical and creative thinking through programs delivered in English, French, Farsi, and Turkish. In her leisure time, she enjoys cooking and playing chess.

Dandan Gu
(she/her)

Education Facilitator

Dandan Gu graduated from the Alberta University of the Arts with a Bachelor's degree in Visual Communication Design. Prior to that, she obtained her first bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, China. Dandan has worked as a graphic designer for various companies and creative projects. Currently, she passionately serves as an educational assistant for art-making programs within the community, sharing her creative expertise with young learners. In her free time, Dandan enjoys practicing ink art, Chinese calligraphy, and illustrating cats and people around her.

Supported by

Supported by

Simran Creative Lab

June 12
5:30-6:30 PM

Unlock the power of your mind with practical tools to stay focused and composed in any situation. 

In this table-based workshop, you'll create your own artwork while experiencing Simran – a practice of stillness and deep listening – as a universal tool for reducing distraction, meeting everyday challenges with ease, and supporting greater focus and clarity. 

FREE and OPEN TO ALL.

JOURNEY OF THE MIND is presented in partnership with Contemporary Calgary.

ABOUT without SHAPE without FORM 

without SHAPE without FORM is an assembly of artists, thinkers and cultural practitioners committed to making moments of self-discovery accessible for everyone. Rooted in Sikh philosophical concepts, their contemporary artistic programme enables people to have meaningful conversations about the mind. 

Guided by insights and tools from over 500 years of Sikh knowledge, without SHAPE without FORM explores a transformative philosophy that pursues self-mastery in the service of others, connecting courage, compassion and community with a commitment to education, collaboration and exchange. 

without SHAPE without FORM create spaces to explore the power of the mind – through curating exhibitions, producing podcasts, publishing articles, delivering workshops and hosting gatherings for Simran (a practice of stillness and deep listening). These encounters help people find peace, resilience and purpose in an increasingly noisy and fractured world. 

Social action and openness are central to everything we do. Their approach is boundaryless, experiential and participatory – inviting global voices to a cross-cultural dialogue about purposeful living. 

Simran Workshop

June 11
5:30-6:30 PM

Learn about Simran, a focused practice for the mind designed to help you build clarity and resilience. 

Through guided sessions, you will learn how to quieten the mind and build an inner practice you can keep coming back to for a deeper, peaceful connection with your true self. 

FREE and OPEN TO ALL.

JOURNEY OF THE MIND is presented in partnership with Contemporary Calgary.

ABOUT without SHAPE without FORM 

without SHAPE without FORM is an assembly of artists, thinkers and cultural practitioners committed to making moments of self-discovery accessible for everyone. Rooted in Sikh philosophical concepts, their contemporary artistic programme enables people to have meaningful conversations about the mind. 

Guided by insights and tools from over 500 years of Sikh knowledge, without SHAPE without FORM explores a transformative philosophy that pursues self-mastery in the service of others, connecting courage, compassion and community with a commitment to education, collaboration and exchange. 

without SHAPE without FORM create spaces to explore the power of the mind – through curating exhibitions, producing podcasts, publishing articles, delivering workshops and hosting gatherings for Simran (a practice of stillness and deep listening). These encounters help people find peace, resilience and purpose in an increasingly noisy and fractured world. 

Social action and openness are central to everything we do. Their approach is boundaryless, experiential and participatory – inviting global voices to a cross-cultural dialogue about purposeful living. 

A Long Dramatic Pause

June 7
Grotto | 2-2:30 PM

A Long Dramatic Pause is a live performance that explores strategies of resistance against ultranationalism and far-right politics through the languages of photography and theatre. Performed by Cindy Ansah and co-developed with artist Erdem Taşdelen, the narrative comprises twelve dramatic scenes that describe a photographic image, never showing it directly but rather bringing it to life through re-enactment and visual analysis.

At the heart of the photograph being described is a young woman, a figure of solidarity and defiance with whom the audience can identify. As the performer moves between observing and embodying this antifascist figure, the narrative gradually implicates the audience as if they had been unknowing protagonists in the image all along. With this, their focus shifts away from the performer towards their own agency and collective presence.

A Long Dramatic Pause is a process-based project developed anew with each staging. Every version emerges from a collaboration between the artist and a new performer, guided by a set of graphic scores created specifically for the work.

The first staging of A Long Dramatic Pause took place in London (UK) in September 2025. This second staging at Contemporary Calgary marks the performance’s Canadian premiere.

About the Artists

Cindy Ansah (she/her) is a storyteller, a vibrant embodiment of culture. A multidimensional creative, she embodies multiplicity as a dance artist, actress, filmmaker, writer, fashion visionary, and muse, dialoguing in Mohkínstsis (Calgary) and across Turtle Island. Since 2020, Cindy has been devoted to her role as Artistic Director of Not Another Political Playground Y’all (N.A.P.P.Y.), which has produced two acclaimed seasons. She co-founded the all-Black contemporary arts collective with collaborator Tiara Matusin, with the shared aspiration to champion Black artistry and collectivity in all its breadth, depth, and nuance.

Erdem Taşdelen (he/him) is an artist based in Tkaronto/Toronto, Canada. Through the use of diverse materials and media, he constructs semi-fictional narratives that incorporate unique historical figures, events and texts to implicate contemporary sociopolitical realities. His projects over the past 15 years have explored themes such as life under authoritarian rule; the theatricality and public spectacles of political discourse; migration, displacement and the haunting presence of the past in contemporary contexts; and the possibilities for self-expression and the limits of authorship within culturally learned forms. Taşdelen has exhibited at venues including The Power Plant, Aga Khan Museum and Mercer Union in Toronto; Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver; VOX Centre de l'image contemporaine, Montréal; Framer Framed, Amsterdam; Museum für Neue Kunst, Freiburg; and Pera Museum, Istanbul. He has been an artist-in-residence at the Delfina Foundation and Studio Voltaire, London; Hangar, Lisbon; Rupert, Vilnius; and KulturKontakt, Vienna. He was awarded the Joseph S. Stauffer Prize in Visual Arts by the Canada Council in 2016, the Charles Pachter Prize by Hnatyshyn Foundation in 2014, long-listed for the Sobey Art Award in 2019, and selected as a finalist for the Taoyuan International Art Award in 2025.

Contemporary Conversations:
Ghazaleh Avarzamani in conversation with Mona Filip

June 6
2 PM
Dome Theatre

To mark the opening of Ghazaleh Avarzamani’s solo show Churn, Earn, Burn and then Return, please join us for a conversation with the artist and Chief Curator Mona Filip. The conversation will reflect on the central themes of the exhibition, exploring how familiar structures like games, playgrounds and manuals subtly reinforce the rules and power dynamics shaping social and political life. The conversation will be followed by a Q&A with the public.

Free with registration.

This program is supported by RBC Foundation as part of the Contemporary Conversations Series.

About the Artist

Ghazaleh Avarzamani
(she/her)

Ghazaleh Avarzamani (she/her)

Avarzamani holds an MFA from Central Saint Martins, London. Her work has been shown across a wide range of international venues, including Hayward Gallery and Delfina Foundation (2025, in collaboration with Ali Ahadi), Dhaka Art Summit (2023), Aga Khan Museum (2021), MOCA Toronto (2021), Toronto Biennial (2022), Contemporary Calgary (2025), Rockefeller Foundation (2024), and Meet Factory (2023), among others. She co-founded the collective Freudian Typo with Ali Ahadi in 2024.

Her work is in private and public collections, including the Art Gallery of Ontario, Google, Rockefeller Centre, Arsenal Contemporary, MOCA Toronto, TD Art Collection and Red Mansion.

About the curator

Mona Filip
(she/her)

Mona Filip (she/her) is Contemporary Calgary’s Chief Curator. Her curatorial career spans two decades of developing critical visual art programs, supporting the production of new works, and introducing national and international artists to new audiences through first local exhibitions. Filip’s projects have explored the intersections of collective memory, place, and belonging, examining artistic strategies that redress sidelined histories, restitution and repair, and storytelling as world-building. Originally from Bucharest, Romania, Filip holds a BFA from the Corcoran School of Art, Washington DC, and an MFA from SUNY at Buffalo.

Exhibition Opening
Ghazaleh Avarzamani, Haig Aivazian + Adelita Husni Bey

June 4
5-9 PM

Please join us on Thursday, June 4, from 5-9 PM, as we celebrate the opening of three solo exhibitions, Ghazaleh Avarzamani: Churn, Earn, Burn and then Return, Haig Aivazian: You May Own the Lanterns, but We Have the Light, and Adelita Husni Bey: Agency.

Together, these exhibitions examine how systems of power are (re)produced, maintained, enacted, and resisted, whether through surveillance, collective political rehearsal, or the invisible social structures that colour and contour everyday life.

• Doors
  5:00 PM

• Remarks
  7:00 PM | Atrium

• Galleries Close
  9:00 PM

FREE to the public. No registration is required. 

This exhibition opening is presented in collaboration with Free First Thursday.

About the Artists

Ghazaleh Avarzamani
(she/her)

Ghazaleh Avarzamani’s research aims at revealing and unsettling the often invisible social hierarchies that govern our lives. Through her practice, she explores the fallacies and inequities in our inherited knowledge and manuals. By creating visual narratives that simultaneously deconstruct and reconstruct time and space, she aims to reconfigure materials to highlight dysfunctionality and failure, utilizing collective human memory and knowledge that is often taken for granted. She reveals the extraordinary about the ordinary, and seeks ways to represent the otherwise taken-for-granted. 

Avarzamani holds an MFA from Central Saint Martins, London. Her work has been shown across a wide range of international venues, including Hayward Gallery, Delfina Foundation (London, UK - 2025), Dhaka Art Summit (2023), Aga Khan Museum (2021), MOCA Toronto (2021), Toronto Biennial (2022), Calgary Contemporary (2025), Rockefeller Foundation (2024), and Meet Factory (2023), among others. 

Her work is in private and public collections, including the Art Gallery of Ontario, Google, Rockefeller Centre, Arsenal Contemporary, MOCA Toronto, TD Art Collection and Red Mansion.

Haig Aivazian
(he/him)

Haig Aivazian’s practice grapples with the metamorphic nature of three technologies: artificial light, computation and law. He examines the ways in which the administration of light and darkness makes and unmakes persons, and transforms material conditions of architecture and geography – how they are inhabited and moved through by humans, animals, objects, machines and other strange creatures.

Adelita Husni Bey
(she/her)

Adelita Husni Bey is an artist and pedagogue whose practice draws on anarcho-collectivism, theater, and legal anthropology. She organizes workshops and produces artworks using non-competitive pedagogical models within the framework of contemporary art. Involving activists, architects, jurists, schoolchildren, poets, and educators, her work creates temporary sites for collective study and rehearsal. She represented Italy at the 57th Venice Biennale (2017) and has exhibited in New Photography, MoMA, New York (2018); The Eighth Climate, 11th Gwangju Biennale (2015); and Really Useful Knowledge, Museo Reina Sofía, Madrid (2014). A 2020-2022 Vera List Center Fellow, her research examined how pandemics reshape social relations. For Sharjah Biennial 16 (2025) she produced Like a Flood, a film installation on water extraction, infrastructural afterlives, and adaptability. She is currently developing a long-term research and performance project on Porto Marghera's petrochemical plant, toxic legacies, and citizen science and has recently undertaken a residency at Ocean Space, Venice.

Free First Thursday

June 4
5-9 PM

Join us for Free First Thursday on June 4 at Contemporary Calgary! Enjoy complimentary admission from 5–9 PM as we celebrate the opening of three solo exhibitions, Ghazaleh Avarzamani: Churn, Earn, Burn and then Return, Adelita Husni Bey: Agency and Haig Aivazian: You May Own the Lanterns, but We Have the Light.  

Together, these exhibitions examine how systems of power are (re)produced, maintained, enacted, and resisted, whether through surveillance, collective political rehearsal, or the invisible social structures that colour and contour everyday life. 

Throughout the evening, you are invited to explore our galleries, join guided exhibition tours in the Flanagan Family Gallery, and participate in drop-in art-making sessions. To complete the night, treat yourself to fresh popcorn alongside a thoughtful selection of wine, craft beer, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Art for All – FREE with registration.

Exhibition tours:

• At 6 PM, gather outside the Flanagan Family Gallery for a guided tour of Richard Ibghy and Marilou Lemmens: Stacking Crates to Reach a Banana

• At 8 PM, gather outside the Flanagan Family Gallery for a guided tour of Erdem Taşdelen: Wounded in Three Acts

On view:

• Ghazaleh Avarzamani: Churn, Earn, Burn and then Return

• Adelita Husni Bey: Agency

• Haig Aivazian: You May Own the Lanterns, but We Have the Light

• Erdem Taşdelen: Wounded in Three Acts

• Richard Ibghy & Marilou Lemmens: Stacking Crates to Reach a Banana