Collected Data
"As much as this is an exhibition of Marlene Yuen’s creative output, it is also a lovely demonstration of how an artistic practice can facilitate a larger function"
There is a matter-of-fact quality to these histories. The tragedies and injustices are never amplified for dramatic affect as much as they are calmly, soberly pointed out. Victorious moments are also quietly delivered: such as that of women like Jean Lumb, whose activism helped reform Canada’s severe immigration laws and who became the first Chinese Canadian woman to earn the Order of Canada or Mary Ko Bong, a jazz performer and fine instrument mechanic trained in Hamilton.
The stories range from a salmon canning factory in B.C., to a lunch counter in Alberta, to a Chinese laundry on John Street in Hamilton, to the systemic exploitation of Chinese workers who mined tunnels through 13 mountains during the construction of the Trans-Canada railway. Taken together, there emerges a troubling pattern wherein Chinese immigrants are dehumanized by arduous, impoverished work, only to endure a second dehumanization when those jobs are mechanized, modernized, or unrecognized. Finding a way to thrive or even survive within these conditions is correctly constituted as heroism by Yuen.
Marlene Yuen | After Gold Mountain: Selected Stories of Chinese Labourers in Canada
"His piecemeal approach offers no consistent strategy to address the challenges facing Canadian television production in the Netflix age."
Having started by trimming the Canadian programming requirements, Blais is now cutting the money, subtracting from the other side of the equation that is still an effective support for Canadian TV production. Following a decision last fall that reduced the number of Canadian creatives who need to be involved for shows to qualify for investments for certain production funds, this latest move continues a pattern of chipping away at supports randomly without offering a clear vision of what might replace them or where that “compelling and original Canadian content” is going to come from.
CRTC leaves Canadian television to fend for itself in Netflix age
"Three long-time Vancouver-generated reality series have fallen to the axe."
“We are extremely proud of the volumes of strong Canadian original content we have delivered to audiences over the years,” said Godfrey. “After resonating with legions of fans, Chopped Canada, Timber Kings and Yukon Gold have reached their natural end and won’t be renewed for another season. The success that these series had is a true testament to our exceptionally talented production partners at Paperny Entertainment and eOne and Corus applauds the cast, creators, producers, and writers for their dedication to these Canadian originals.
Vancouver-created TV shows cancelled
It was fun while it lasted.
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