An artist book initiated in 2017 where memories and stories follow a transatlantic path between Canada and Israel and interface the biographies of two artists. Ido Govrin, born in Jerusalem in 1976, was living in Toronto at the time this journey began. Joel Kantor, born in Montreal in 1948, has lived and worked in Jerusalem since 2000. In that sense, this voyage takes place at a time when both artists reside in the other’s most familiar surroundings, that is, in the other’s childhood habitation.
Ido Govrin (Ph.D.) is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice includes installation, sound, imagery-based works, and other literary strategies, and is the author, editor and translator of several books, essays and journal articles on art and philosophy.
His latest monograph, titled Philosophical Archaeology—With and Beyond Agamben on Philosophy, History, and Art, was recently published by SUNY Press, USA (2023); and his latest solo exhibition is titled Philosophical Archaeology Space 2009–2019 (2019, Canada).
In addition to his scholarly and artistic work, he has curated a series of contemporary art exhibitions under the title Laptopia (2005-2011), was the director of Musica Nova ensemble (2008-2012) and since 2005 has run the record label Interval Recordings.
Joel Kantor was born in Montreal Canada in 1948 and completed his education in arts and law at McGill University. He studied photography at the Hadassah Academy in Jerusalem, and was awarded prizes by the Israel Museum, the Goldreich Foundation as well as the Israel Lottery for his outstanding stills and video art.
His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the world. His books include: In Our Image (1986); Hasidim (1987); Tel Aviv Mon Amour (1995); Temporary Salvation (2000); Dear Robert, a Correspondence with Robert Frank (2014); Kibbutz Times (2019); My Jerusalem (2022); and What say you? with Ido Govrin (2024).
His videos include: Leftovers from a Picnic (1999); Yehi-El (2008); Amazing Scenes from Pesach’s Studio (2010); May I Call You Brother, Robert Frank Sans Musique (2017).
