September 21 – December 1
I Lay My Ear Against the Weave’s Ear (2019–ongoing) is a series of works, including a newly commissioned piece, where Elina transforms her grandmother’s weaving tools into musical instruments. For this new work, the artist presents an existing instrument generated from the rátnomuorat (loom) and created two new instruments from a dorte (a spinning wheel) and vikšamuorra (a hand-held tool to skein the yarn after it has been spun).
Most of her practice focuses on exploring the frictions and connections between the female body and voice, as well as her dual Norwegian and Sámi heritage, to address processes of identity formation, asymmetric power relations, social representation, and demands for sovereignty and self-determination.
Using DIY technology and sensors developed with the support of Notam, the Norwegian centre for technology, art, and music, visitors can activate the three sculptures through the movements of their hands and bodies.
The exhibition includes new work commissioned by the Toronto Biennial of Art. The presentation is made possible with the generous support of EQ Bank, the Office for Contemporary Art Norway, and the Women Leading Initiative.
Bio
Elina Waage Mikalsen (b.1992; she/her) is a Sámi-Norwegian interdisciplinary artist and musician from Romssa/Tromsø, Sápmi/Norway. She works with sound, textile, performance, text and installation. In her sound practice, she often mixes field recordings, voice, electronics and home-built instruments. She seeks to create sonic spaces that exist somewhere between reality and fantasy, where sound is like a time machine that causes time to collapse and sets both past and future in motion.
By collecting fragments of stories, materials and practices she works with what lies in between. The holes that the Norwegian colonization of Sápmi has created in the form of loss of language and cultural heritage have become a starting point for imagining what these holes might represent, what matter they constitute and how they continue to affect the people in our societies.
She holds an MFA from Oslo National Academy of Arts from 2021. She has exhibited and performed nationally and internationally in places like Henie Onstad Kunstsenter, MUNCH, Charlottenborg Kunsthal, Nuuk Art Museum, Cultural Centre Caisa, The National Museum in Norway, Lofoten International Arts Festival and Singapore Biennale. For the last two years, she has been an artist in residence at the Borealis Festival for experimental music, focusing on Sámi sonic practices, ways of listening and experimenting.
Location
- Accessibility
The Auto BLDG, 9th Floor
- Accessible entrance
- Accessible washrooms
- Elevator
- AODA-compliant building
If you require automatic doors to access our exhibition space, please enter through the back entrance of 158 Sterling Road and take the elevators located in the southwest vestibule to the 9th floor.
If you require assistance entering the Toronto Biennial on Tuesdays between 10am – 6pm or Wednesdays-Sundays between 10am – 11am, please call 416-530-7474 or enter through the back of the building.
Parking: Located at 152 Sterling Road in the Hines Parking Garage, just west of the museum. This is an underground parking lot. Hourly and daily rates apply.
Note: When exiting the parking lot, please use stairwell D for the most convenient access to the Auto BLDG.
- Getting There
The Auto BLDG, 9th Floor
By subway: The Auto BLDG is a 10-minute walk from both Lansdowne Station and Dundas West Station.
By streetcar: The Auto BLDG is a 5-minute walk from the closest streetcar stop at Dundas St West and Sterling Rd. This can be reached by the 505 Dundas and 506 Carlton streetcars.
UP Express: The Auto BLDG is a 10-minute walk from Bloor Station, which is two stops on the UP Express from Toronto Pearson Airport and one stop from Union Station.
Donors & Supporters
