Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1974-1985 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
165 cm of textual records
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
John Faichney is a Canadian dancer, television producer and software analyst born in Montreal in 1952. He graduated from Oberlin College where he developed an interest in choreography and dance improvisation. In May 1976 he performed at the Centre for Experimental Art & Communication (CEAC) in Toronto and was invited to join the Centre’s staff. Amongst other activities, he designed printed matter, maintained exchange programs with other artists’ groups, curated an exhibition of artists’ books and managed distribution of mailings and periodicals (including Strike, a quasi monthly newspaper.) An offshoot of the Kensington Art Association, CEAC moved in 1976 to 86 John Street and then to 15 Duncan Street, offering space for performance art, installations, videos and music. Key members of the group were Amerigo Marras, Suber Corley, Bruce Eves and Ron Gillespie (a.k.a Ron Giii); Marras in particular encouraged connections with European and American artists. The group became increasingly politicized and in 1978 its government funding was rescinded. An attempt at self sufficiency by starting a television production studio at 124 Lisgar Street was not sustainable and CEAC disbanded in 1980. John Faichney lives in Kitchener, Ontario, and remains involved with Contact Improvisation.
Repository
Archival history
The material comprising this fonds was maintained by John Faichney until 1995 when it was acquired by the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
The fonds is the gift of John Faichney in 1995.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Fonds consists of printed and manuscript material accumulated by John Faichney during his years as an artist involved in the KAA/CEAC collective. Publications originating with CEAC, issues of Canadian and international periodicals, posters, samples of letterhead, exhibition catalogues, the original typed manuscript of an international symposium, and book materials are included. Fonds is comprised of the following series: 1. Kensington Art Association and CEAC 2. Periodicals and books
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open. Access to Special Collections is by appointment only. Please contact the reference desk for more information.
Conditions governing reproduction
Various copyright holders. It is the researcher’s responsibility to obtain permission to publish any part of the fonds.
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
A finding aid is available for this fonds.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
A Space fonds; Mercer Union fonds.