This 6-minute film was shot on location during our June 1999 Venice Biennale exhibition by Kwagiutl artist David Neel where we presented his site-specific sculptural installation and performance based on 8 carved wooden (red and yellow cedar and alder) masks and a traditional dug out ocean-going canoe entitled “Walas-Kwis-Gila”.
The film was shot by Toronto filmmaker Zoe Dirse and produced by Bravo FACT! - the creative arm of BRAVO - the arts channel. Dirse shot over 29 hours of tape while in Venice. Dirse’s film is beautifully shot and tells a lyrical tale of taking the West Coast canoe and its culture to the ancient city of Venice. She also eloquently displays the connection between the canoe and its European counterpart - the gondola. The film was shown on BRAVO! throughout 2000 after its launch at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre on January 10th.
