Next up on the Image Bar... "Dan Carter" by Alison Kobayashi

Video still from Alison Kobayashi's Dan Carter, 2006

In her 15-minute video installation, Dan Carter, Alison Kobayashi presents as a series of characters inspired by a discarded answering machine tape. Her sarcastic and exaggerated performance reflects on the human condition by examining identity and exploring the imaginary.

Kobayashi is captivated by found objects that contain traces of private experiences. She has collected over 70 answering machine cassettes donated to second-hand stores over the past two years. Her fascination lead to the creation of Dan Carter, named after the original owner of the answering machine tape.



Alison Kobayashi is a student in the Art and Art History program at University of Toronto at Mississauga. Among numerous honours, in 2006 she was the recipient of The Bill Huffman Award for Excellence in Studio Practice. Her work has been screened at Justin M. Barnicke, InterAccess Electronic Media Arts, and Pleasure Dome.

The William Huffman Award for Excellence in Studio Practice is an annual award that recognizes an exceptionally gifted student from the University of Toronto Art and Art History Program – a joint BA offered by the University of Toronto at Mississauga and Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (Oakville). Huffman honors the student with an exhibition where the recipient presents works alongside respected contemporary artists.

William Huffman is a 1991 Art and Art history Program alumnus. He has worked with a number of arts organizations and institutions such as the Blackwood Gallery, Arts Toronto, The Power Plant, A Space, Canadian Art Foundation and Art Gallery of Sudbury. Huffman is currently the Associate Director for the Toronto Arts Council.

The William Huffman Award has recognized Marko Bursac (2007), Alison Kobayashi (2006), Tejpal Ajji (2005), Carolyn Tripp (2004), Jared Carlson (2003), Tannis Nielsen (2002), Erin Finley (2001), Amie Tolton (2000) and Heather Robinson (1999).

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Dan Carter will be available on the Image Bar:
- All day on February 26 & 27
- In the evenings from February 28 to March 11
- All day on March 12 & 13
- In the evenings from March 14 until March 25