Critical Publications

Call to Artists
for a Publication of Artist’s Projects in Response to Bill C-10

Latitude 53 Contemporary Visual Culture invites Canadian artists to indulge in gratuitous acts of
free speech and expression. We are calling for proposals for artists’ projects that present visual
responses to Bill C-10 that threatens to impose censorship on Canadian film production. Projects
will be selected by jury for a compilation of 2 page art works that will be published in colour or
black & white. Artists may choose a 2D media for paper publication or work in a medium
appropriate for inclusion on a DVD insert. Specific considerations will be given to ensure the best
possible reproduction of all artwork.
Submissions should be accompanied by a bio (approx. 100 words) and a brief (approx. 200 words)
statement designed to provide viewers with a context or a “way in” to the consideration of the
work.

Submission deadline: September 30, 2008.

Submissions should be in the form of digital images no larger than (300dpi) to:

Email submission can be sent to criticalpubs@latitude53.org
Please use Gratuitous Acts in the subject line.

Bill C-10 is a federal tax reform bill which was progressing through third reading in the Senate
without much concern until it was realized that buried in the tedious language of such documents
was a provision that “would enable Heritage Minister Josée Verner, or a posse of bureaucrats
moonlighting as film critics, to deny tax credits to a Canadian film that she or her officials find
“offensive” or “contrary to public policy.” (Jonas, National Post, March 07, 2008).

No MPs of any political stripe seemed to notice this before the Bill passed through Parliament.
Since the lure of tax credits is one of the prime motivators for those who invest in Canadian films
the threat that the credits would be denied would substantially deter further investment in the
industry. As defenders of “the Canadian taxpayer” the Heritage Minister could impose her own
capricious “moral” judgment and deny the tax credit at any point up until final print of the film. It
is feared that edgy and challenging film for which Canadian directors have become world
renowned could well become a thing of the past.

For further info:
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=3087535&...

Critical Publications

Call to Artists for a Publication of Artist’s Projects in Response to Bill C-10

Call to Artists
for a Publication of Artist’s Projects in Response to Bill C-10