Collaborating jointly for the first time, the Goethe-Institut, OCAD University (OCAD U) and the University of Toronto (U of T) are excited to welcome experimental Berlin-based video artist Nina Könnemann as the 2013 InterMedia Artist-in-Residence this October and November.

"We are delighted to partner with the Goethe-Institut and the University of Toronto on this one-of-a-kind Artist-in-Residence program and host leading German artists like Nina Könnemann," says Vladimir Spicanovic, Dean of the Faculty of Art at OCAD U. "Könnemann's visual inquiries and innovative use of technology promise to engage both students and faculty and stimulate Toronto's cultural community."

U of T's Visual Studies Program Director Lisa Steele shares this enthusiasm. "Collaborations such as this one are a wonderful opportunity for our students to work directly with international artists," says Steele.

Könneman's work has been attracting the attention of the Goethe-Institut for years, and this collaboration with OCAD U and U of T presented the perfect opportunity to engage the German artist with Canadians. Goethe-Institut Toronto Program Curator Jutta Brendemühl recalls meeting Könnemann earlier this year: "It quickly became clear that she was our perfect candidate for this residency: thoughtful, with an out-of-the box style, an always surprising broad palette, and, importantly, open to discussion and exchange."

According to art critic Jan Verwoert, Könnemann's pieces "gently unhinge [viewers'] sense of time and space" (Frieze, 2004). Her work is a prime example of modern German cinema, observational in nature, exploring reality.

Könnemann's work has shown internationally including at Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich, the Camden Centre in London and with a solo presentation at MoMA in New York. 2013 will continue to be busy for Könnemann. "It's turning into Könnemann's fall in North America," says Goethe-Institut Toronto Director Sonja Griegoschewski. "Our colleagues at the Goethe-Institut New York just invited her to do a show at our Ludlow Gallery, TIFF selected one of her films, and we are privileged to have her in Toronto for several weeks of intense work before she flies to Los Angeles."

The InterMedia Artist Residency builds on the success of the CrossMedial Residency, developed and organized by Goethe and OCAD U as well as the Goethe and U of T InterMedia Residency. Previous guest artists have included Lillevan, Carsten Nicolai and Olaf Bender, Nina Fischer and Maroan el Sani, and Daniel Kötter.

The public is invited to attend a number of events with Nina Könnemann this fall including a screening of the video Bann on October 26 at Vtape and a Culture talks @ Goethe with the artist on November 8. Könnemann's residency, student workshops and critiques will take place at U of T and OCAD U from October 22 to November 14.

More information on Nina Könnemann and the InterMedia Arts Residency at www.goethe.de/ins/ca/tor/ver/en10663046v.htm.