Mark Lewis’ project for the Canada Pavilion in Venice is comprised of several short, silent films under the title Cold Morning. His works will include documentary and rear projection-based films. Invented in the early 20th century, rear projection consisted of combining staged events filmed in a studio (the foreground action) with documentary footage or reels of set locations (the background locations). A peculiarly modern form of montage, it allowed filmmakers to produce films with exotic backdrops normally too costly for film production. Mark Lewis’ work utilizes the technique of rear projection in a newly vitalized exploration of the history of film, with a special interest in the architecture of modernity, including its utopian dimension, and the complexity of its effects in the urban landscape. During opening days, there will be special screenings of “Backstory”, Mark Lewis’ new documentary on the Hansard family, pioneers of rear projection technology in Hollywood.

Cold Morning continues Mark Lewis’ past and recent interests, combining references to architectural modernism with location shots in Toronto, such as Viljo Revell’s City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square and Mies van der Rohe’s TD Centre. Lewis’ work expands the exploration of historical and contemporary cinematic techniques, and contributes to the special place they hold in the history of contemporary art in Canada in particular.

Cold Morning is accompanied by a catalogue, co-published with the Vancouver Art Gallery, with essays by Grant Arnold, David Campany, Barbara Fischer, Laura Mulvey, and an interview between Mark Lewis and Klaus Biesenbach.

The official Canadian participation at the 53rd International Art Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia is made possible through the financial and administrative support of the Canada Council for the Arts, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, and the Canadian Embassy in Rome. Mark Lewis’s new work is produced in collaboration with the National Film Board of Canada. The exhibition is supported by Aeroplan, Christie, DHC/ART Foundation for Contemporary Art, the Ontario Arts Council, Fondation Hermès, BMO Financial Group, Rogers, Prime Focus London, Hal Jackman Foundation, Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation, Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design, University of the Arts London, and many others.