From the Pearl of the Orient to Uptown

Montreal, April 19th, 2007 - Festival Accès Asie proudly collaborates with the MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels) from Mai 4 to June 17, presenting the artist and social activist, Marissa Largo with a visual arts exhibition titled as From the Pearl of the Orient to Uptown. The exhibition showcases both the artist's most recent artworks as well as her work with the Filipino-Canadian youth community, a community who is searching to define their identity within the dynamics between their cultural backgrounds and the society at large.

Her achievements as artist and educator weave a remarkable bond between art and social activism. Of Filipino descent, Marissa Largo dedicates her time and efforts with the communities of Toronto and of the Greater Area of Montreal creating artistic projects for humanitarian causes. The exhibition From the Pearl of Orient to Uptown is inspired from her latest collaboration with the members of the Kabataang Montreal (KM) an association in the Cotes-des-Neiges district in Montreal which is an association aiding young Filipino-Canadians who are in social, familial or identity crisis.

Living in an era of a fast-paced globalization and intercultural mixes, Marissa Largo explores with Filipino-Canadian youth, topics dealing with identity, immigration, family separation, cultural integration and social adaptation. These youths, confronted by an immense cultural gap, frequently question their new role and identity in North America. Marissa Largo's art bears the fruit of their reflection, one which has at it's core, the struggles and reconciliations of two countries, two to three languages and two cultural traditions. It is a unique occasion for the public to uncover the secret intimacy of human voices that are so touched by globalization.

The exhibition also presents the individual works of Marissa Largo that includes video installations: Jet Lag, The Tinikling Lesson as well as a collection of life-size photographic portraits entitled Flip-side. Bearing witness to the changes marked by travel and new technologies, the artist explores the impact of immigration on the individual, and the memories which transcend all notions of time, space and the infinite quest for identity.

Festival Accès Asie is pleased to present this artist who calls to action, activists, artists and visitors to promote a greater intercultural dialogue and openness, setting the stage for a promising and better future.

Artist's talk: May 5 at 2 p.m.

MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels)
May 3, 5 p.m - opening, exhibition dates run from May 4 - June 17
3680 rue Jeanne-Mance # 103, Montreal
Information: (514) 982-3386 or (514) 523-1047
Entrance: free

Media contact: Andy Carton (514) 575-9436