ArtSync.ca is a dynamic online sanctuary for all those interested and involved in Canadian art: its creators, conspirators, critics, and cheerleaders. We’re working on content to supplement the archive we maintain of our affiliated television program, striving to excite and inform our audience about the local visual arts scene.
ArtSync TV is Toronto’s visual voice for contemporary art. Grounded in an awe for the art of this city, we’re committed to following, sharing, and celebrating the best of it with our Roger’s Cable and online audiences. Each week’s episode features brief interviews and clips from recent gallery openings and art events, and longer, in-depth discussions with artists or arts professionals.The show airs every Friday night at 7 on channel 10, with clips and uncut material available online shortly thereafter.
ArtSync is now officially registered as as a not-for-profit organization.
The ArtSync Team Comprises…
JUNI C. BIROL – Executive Producer
After starting his business life with a Master’s degree in architecture, Juni soon leapt to the fast-paced world of advertising, marketing and corporate promotion. He has worked for companies including Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Mobil, Unilever, and for all three bids for the Istanbul Olympics. As a photographer he has participated in many solo and group exhibitions. His directorial accomplishments include over forty documentaries for Turkish Airlines and the award-winning documentary “Breath”.
LORI STARR – Host
Lori is an art historian, museum educator, and arts executive with a long career in museums and cultural centres. She was Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the J. Paul Getty Trust and Getty Museum from 1986-2001 and senior Vice President and Museum Director, Skirball Cultural Center from 2001-2006. She holds an MA in Art History from University of Virginia, Charlottesville and a BA in Art History from Rutgers University. Earlier in her career Starr was Associate Museum Educator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Director of Continuing Studies in the Visual Arts and Lecturer, Museum Studies Program, University of Southern California. She is currently the Executive Director of Koffler Centre of the Arts, a position she has held since 2006. Additionally, Lori is also the current Vice President of Culture UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.
MICHAEL HANSEN – Host
Michael holds an MFA based in installation and sculpture from Toronto’s York University. His practice is concerned with the interstice between audience and artwork, and particularly with noise as a catalyst for its elimination. He programmed a music/outside jazz/noise morning radio show in Toronto for over twenty years, and his art has shown extensively in Canada and abroad since 1985. He currently performs as an Electro Acoustic Improviser.
BARBARA ISHERWOOD – Host
Barbara Isherwood has an MA in Art History from the University of Toronto, where she currently teaches in the School of Continuing Studies. Her writing has been published in Canadian Art, Border Crossings, FiberArts, Metalsmith, Studio, Raw Vision and more. She has a particular interest in photography and fine craft, and was awarded the Ontario Craft Council’s Critical Craft Writing Award in 2005. Besides the visual arts, her other great passion is music, which is the focus of her program Catwoman Radio, heard Wednesdays, 5:00 to 6:00 pm on CIUT 89.5 FM in Toronto.
HEATHER WHITE – Creative Director
Heather is a freelance writer, emerging curator, and professional dabbler in the arts. Holding a BA in Contemporary Studies and History (University of King’s College, Halifax) and an MA in Philosophy and the Arts (SUNY Stonybrook at Manhattan), she currently lives and works in Toronto.
OWEN McDERMOTT – Host
Owen is an award-winning Drama and Special Education teacher at Canada’s largest middle school. Entering his twentieth year as a Professional Educator, Owen developed VPtv and VPtv.fm Radio as media outlets that allow students to participate in the creation of music videos, documentaries, news and current events radio shows.
BERK KADAKGIL – Co-producer
One of the founders of Art Square Production, Berk began in the industry as a sound engineer. He graduated from Toronto’s Trebas Institute and has worked for a number of filmmakers and post-production houses. Having developed his skills in digital video and looking constantly for new technologies, he now works as a producer for film and broadcast. Berk is currently producing two documentaries alongside a range of commissioned projects.
TALI DUDIN – Host
After attending several educational institutions, Tali abandoned the pursuit of a formal degree – but not the pursuit of knowledge. Her wide sphere of interests include life-drawing, writing and mycology.
CHRISTINA GIRARD – Communications Director
Christina holds an Honours BA in Visual Arts from the University of Western Ontario and a Master’s degree in Art Business from the Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Christina specialized in Art Marketing, and boasts Canadian and International experience in both commercial and non-profit sectors of the art world.
NICOLE BAZUIN – Documentary Director
Nicole is a Toronto-based filmmaker and visual artist whose short films have screened across Canada and the USA. A graduate of Ryerson University’s film program and a recipient of the Universal Studios scholarship and HSBC filmmaker’s award, she strives for creativity, technical excellence and innovation in her work.
KATE FANE – Publication Intern/Web Editor
Kate is an aspiring editor and armchair art critic from Vancouver. Previously a student at Dalhousie University, she is currently pursuing a specialist degree in English Literature at the University of Toronto.
BEATRICE PAEZ – Publication Intern/Web Editor
Beatrice is a freelance journalist whose interests span from international affairs to arts and culture. Fresh out of McGill University, where she earned her BA in Political Science and Sociology, she plans to pursue a career in the media industry.
