Diane Borsato

Collaborating with a varied cast of characters--beekeepers, mycologists, astronomers, physicists, bees, cats, snowballs, tango dancers, passersby, plants, curators, hotel porters--Canadian artist Diane Borsato creates works that propose eccentric models for relating to one another and to the world. For her project Italian Lessons , she attempted to learn Italian by learning salsa, physics, first aid and beekeeping by way of Italian instruction. In Terrestrial/Celestial , Borsato coordinated an unconventional exchange of observational practices--from opposite ends of the scale--between amateur mycologists and amateur astronomers. In a new work, Walking Studio , Borsato proposes a different space for research and reflection with her mobile field study lab, comprised of a study center and fully functional sauna. This overview is published to accompany a solo exhibition at the Art Gallery of York University in 2012.