Interview with Robert Kananaj, owner of the Robert Kananaj Gallery (R.K.)
by ARTORONTO.CA Emese Krunák-Hajagos (E.K-H.)
E.K-H: You will celebrate the First Year Anniversary of your gallery on July 28, 2012, so some of the hard times are behind. What made you decide to open an art gallery on the first place?
R.K: The gallery is born out of the studio search, and this is how we operate and keep the gallery: to be like the extention of the studios of the artists. We both, my wife and I, were looking for ways to share our art collection with our friends and relatives at some point. Meanwhile, looking for a studio space, in May 2011, we saw this space was for lease; instead it became an instant decision to be a gallery space. My wife and I share a name, we are Roberta and Robert. I wanted to call the gallery with one of our names, preferably Roberta. We decided to stay with “Robert Kananaj Gallery” because those who know of me as an artist, and not my wife, would think “Roberta” a twisted version of my name.
Robert and Roberta Kananaj. Photo: Robert Kananaj
Why gallery ?… My first job after graduating as a monumental sculptor, was curator and director of the regional municipal gallery in the city where I grew up, Fier, Albania. At once creating, curating, and directing makes me more aware of the importance of sharing through art. The experience derived from art and the gallery, is a point of departure for art practices which gravitate toward the remote and minute.
It feels amazing, the first year anniversary like the first day we decided to open the gallery. The time goes so quickly, it feels like I am in real time a year ago. The year has been a project in itself. We, our staff and artists, are honoured and motivated, reaching by hard work to this point of celebration.
Anniversary show (July 28-September 1, 2012) artists from left to right: Wing Yee Tong, Mike Parsons, Karen Grosman, Napoleon Brousseau, Jordan Seal, Matthew Green and Robert Kananaj. Photo: Khristopher Reardon
E.K-H: Why did you choose the Lansdowne area?
R.K: Lansdowne is an area that feels remote in the middle of the city. The more remote it is, the more part of art it becomes. You see that with all the hubs of art galleries, in generations from Yorkville, and later to Spadina, Queen West, and now Bloordale.
We live in the area, also the gallery has Mercer Union and Toronto Free Gallery as neighbours. It is proving to be a good location and other galleries have opened in the area this last year.
Installation view of a Group Exhibition (November 24, 2011 – January 21, 2012). Photo:Robert Kananaj
E.K-H: How do you choose your artists?
R.K: We choose each other. A gallery’s scope is such a small venue that you can start from scratch, and work from nothing; but as you see, I start from somewhere. Being a sculptor myself, and living and sharing a lifetime with artists of all genres, creates an environment of good premises to select and be selected.
Invitation to whom it may concern: If you are in any way witnessing remoteness in any level, personal, or social, or simply art loving, or an artist, we have Robert Kananaj Gallery hosting and sharing the outsider in all of us.
Group Show (August 13 – September 17, 2011), Wolfinside & Dinosaurone by Stefan Thompson. Photo:Robert Kananaj
E.K-H: Are you satisfied with the selling of arts in your gallery?
R.K: When an artist is motivated to make an artwork, mostly the fufilment is in making it. So it is with the gallery. It may sound a bit misleading, but we didn’t expect in the first three to four years to meet our expenses; however, with youth in art, regardless of seniority, the hopes are real and promising.
In addition we have started the Jordan Seal Project: “Donation based, Pay what you think the art is worth, Pay what you can afford, Art for you, Art for everyone.”
OCAD U Graduation Show (April 24 – May 2012), Opening Reception April 27. Photo:Robert Kananaj
E.K-H: What are your future plans?
R.K: The future plan is long life to the gallery. It is one year old, it is and becomes what we offer to it. We work with the gallery as an artist works with the artwork. With a strong team and support for each other in a spirit of sharing, we have choices and direction to explore at once the past and future in the making. The gallery is invitation to all art loving, art making, and also art dealing people. We focus the remote, and we centre the outsider and the other as our own.