Convening: An Arrival, A Grounding, A Departure – Day 1

Things Fall Apart is developed with a set of propositions anchored by the question: What can we learn from artists who explore rupture as an ontological tool or a way of understanding? In connection with this guiding question, Allison Glenn collaboratively curated the convening, An Arrival, A Grounding, A Departure, which creates space for those who hold and share knowledge, including farmers, growers, musicians, Elders, artists, and more, to exchange and build intersectional and collective ways of understanding.

An Arrival, A Grounding, A Departure is organized with some of the exhibiting artists as well as invited co-curators, and consists of dialogues, performances, meals, and moments of collectivity that engage with six new commissions. Thematically grouped into three puncta, it unfolds over three days across the geographies, people, and ideas that make up the place known as Toronto.

The opening day, An Arrival By Water , centres Indigenous perspectives and practices and is co-curated by Bert Whitecrow, TBA Curatorial Fellow, and Mikinaak Migwans, Assistant Professor, Art History; Curator, Art Museum, University of Toronto. It will feature an array of contemporary traditional foods, followed by a facilitated drum social where participants are invited to bring drums and rattles to share and learn songs. An Elder and knowledge carrier will be present to welcome participants into the space. TBA artists Bonnie Devine, Taqralik Partridge, and Rebecca Belmore will come together in conversation, sharing insights into their artistic practices and their new commissions for the 2026 Toronto Biennial, all of which delve into stories held within water, bringing attention to cultural and geographical histories.