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“We Are Continually Exposed to the Flashbulb of Death”: The Photographs of Allen Ginsberg (1953-1996)

Allen Ginsberg and Peter Orlovsky

“We Are Continually Exposed to the Flashbulb of Death”: The Photographs of Allen Ginsberg (1953-1996)

September 2–December 6, 2014

Curated by Barbara Fischer and John Shoesmith

Organized in Collaboration with the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library

University of Toronto Art Centre

The exhibition comprises over 150 photographs taken by the legendary Beat poet and activist Allen Ginsberg, capturing his life, loves, and artistic community, including Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs, Neal Cassady, Peter Orlovsky and others of the Beat generation of writers, poets, and activists. The photographs are drawn on the collection of close to 8,000 prints recently donated by The Rossy Family Foundation to the University of Toronto Art Centre and Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library.

Programs: The Politics and Poetics of Visibility

Exhibition Tour: Victor Coleman

Monday September 8, 2014, 6-7pm
Video Documentation
University of Toronto Art Centre

Screening and Panel Talk

The Line Has Shattered
Wednesday September 10, 2014, 6-8pm
Featuring Michael Boughn, Victor Coleman, Charlie Huisken, Jay Millar, and John Oughton
Video Documentation of Panel Talk
University of Toronto Art Centre

Lecture

18th Annual Janet E. Hutchison Lecture
Nude Ghosts: Allen Ginsberg, General Idea, and the Formation of Queer Eros
Thursday September 18, 2014, 4:30-5:30pm
Featuring Dr. Jonathan D. Katz
Video Documentation
University College, Room 140

Opening Reception

Thursday September 18, 2014, 6-8pm
University of Toronto Art Centre

Panel Talk

Tuesday September 23, 2014, 7-9pm
Featuring Louis Kaplan and Marcus Boon
Video Documentation
University of Toronto Art Centre

Screening

Pull My Daisy
Wednesday September 24, 6-7pm, 2014
University of Toronto Art Centre

Allen Ginsberg Photography Collection Tour: John Shoesmith

Monday September 29, 2014, 6-8pm
Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, 120 St. George St.

Screening and Panel Talk

Queer Kinship
Monday October 6, 2014, 6-8pm
University of Toronto Art Centre

Screening

The New Black
Wednesday October 15, 2014, 6-8pm
University of Toronto Art Centre

Writing Workshop: Evalyn Parry and Queer Writes

Monday October 27, 2014, 6-8pm
University of Toronto Art Centre

Artist Talk

A Perfect X: Intersecting Perspectives in Transgender Film, Art, and Performance
Tuesday November 4, 2014, 4pm
Video Documentation
University of Toronto Art Centre

Touring Program

Presentation House Gallery, February 21-April 5,2015
MSVU Art Gallery, August 29-November 1, 2015
Carleton University Art Gallery, September 12-December 11, 2016

Media Coverage

Our Supporters

We gratefully acknowledge the generous project support of Lead Sponsor, The Rossy Family Foundation, and Manulife Financial.

Title Image: Allen Ginsberg, R.D. Laing portrait, front porch Boulder, hands up, 1987. Silver gelatin print with ink. 20 x 25 cm. Gift of The Rossy Family Foundation, 2012.

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