October 29 – December 14, 2008
Bird Radio
Bill Burns
Bird Radio is a continuation of Bill Burns’ curious work on animals, plants and safety. The exhibition focuses closely on strategies of mimicry and the authority attached to schematic diagrams. Gallery visitors are invited to activate a radiophonic chandelier of jerry-rigged birdcalls that transmits the sound of the calls outside of the gallery space. A video of children illustrating the proper use of the various birdcalls, and large schematic drawings that explain how to operate Bird Radio and its seventeen calls are also part of the exhibition.
Bird Radio – Vogelradio, an artist’s book produced in tandem with the project, is published by KW-ICA (Berlin); KW|AG (Kitchener, ON); and Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther König (Köln).
About the Artist
Bill Burns was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, and currently lives in Toronto. His work concerning animals and safety has been published and exhibited widely including solo projects at Wellcome Trust, London, England; Kunst-Werke-ICA, Berlin; and the Institute of Contemporary Art in London, England. His Safety Gear for Small Animals exhibition, organized by the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA), Toronto and Tom Thomson Art Gallery, Owen Sound, toured to nine locations including the Southern Alberta Art Gallery, Lethbridge; California State University-Fullerton, Los Angeles; and Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. His drawings, books, multiples and photographs are included in numerous collections including the Tate Britain in London, the MoMA in New York, MacKenzie Art Gallery in Regina and the Getty Center in Los Angeles.
