Tony Romano (Toronto)

The Last Act

22/08/08 – 21/09/08
Opening : Fri 22/08/08 at 7pm

Tony Romano's earlier work examines the labyrinthine structures of human relationships, and in particular romantic relationships. In Love Song Romano wrote and produced an infinitely randomizing love song that took the form of a light show and sound installation. In If By Chance, he again used computer technology to create an interactive video installation in which two individuals might or might not meet, effectively influencing or simulating a chance encounter. In his most recent work, Tony Romano reflects on his ongoing interests in narrative, popular music and philosophy, especially the work of Soren Kierkegaard.
For his exhibition at articule, he will present The Last Act, a 35mm film based on a pornographic video of the same name. With this film, Romano reinvents formal strategies of cinema by re-shooting each scene from the video, with the exception of the sex scenes, which were omitted. In conjunction with The Last Act, Romano will also present a series of movie posters and text-based works related to the film, which explore concepts of love, city and identity.

Tony Romano received his B.F.A. in 2001 from the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design. He has since shown his work both nationally and internationally, including the exhibitions T&T at the Kulturhust in Stockholm, Sweden (2004); Weathervane at Oakville Galleries in Oakville (2005); Republic of Love, curated by Xandra Eden in Vienna, Austria (2005); Dedicated to You, But You Weren’t Listening, curated by Reid Shier at the Power Plant in Toronto (2005); The Property in Question, at the Charles C. Scott Gallery in Vancouver (2006); and NEW WORK, at Diaz contemporary in Toronto (2007).