30 Jun, 2020

Artist Spotlight: Rita Leistner

Like many of us, multidisciplinary artist Rita Leistner has plenty to keep her busy during the Covid-19 lockdown. Recently, York University Prof. Katherine Knight invited Leistner to speak to students enrolled in her visual arts course, VISA 1006: The Photographic Experience. In this short video, Leistner discusses being an 'engaged photographer' and her upcoming project, Forest for the Trees, a film and catalogue chronicling her two series The Tree Planters and The Tree Planters - Enchanted Forest.

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06 May, 2020

FFOTO's Five Quarantine Questions for Rita Leistner, Skawennati, and Bill Clarke

FF/QQ 9 brings responses from documentary photographer/filmmaker Rita Leistner, whose fable-like series, The Tree Planters, is the subject of her upcoming film; and Skawennati, whose art addresses history, the future, and change from her perspective as an urban Mohawk woman and as a cyberpunk avatar. Joining them is Bill Clarke, a Toronto-based writer known for his thoughtful art commentaries and his impressive collection of art and artist publications/multiples.

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31 Jan, 2020

In Conversation: Rita Leistner

Award-winning Canadian photographer Rita Leistner has had a fascinating career - first as a photojournalist covering conflict zones in the Middle East, then as a fine art photographer exploring ecological concerns. We connected Leistner with Nadja Sayej to talk about the differences and similarities of working as a tree planter and a war correspondent, as well as plans for her upcoming experimental documentary film.

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Artist Spotlight: Rita Leistner

FFOTO's Five Quarantine Questions for Rita Leistner, Skawennati, and Bill Clarke

In Conversation: Rita Leistner