Vanessa Rieger

Portrait by Julia Dickens

ABOUT

Arts CV

Install Tech CV

ARTWORK

Art CV

Projects

Coffin Factory Funeral

Coffin Factory Eulogy

Ghost Hole

NIGHTLIFEGUARD

Tarp Ghost

Cell Phone Shrine

Residencies

White Rabbit

Channel Surf

Don Blanche

Drake Lab

Water Walk Sky

VJ / Video / Lighting

VIDEOMANCY

Festivals & Shows

Music Videos

APN (RIP)

Mural & Street

Drawing & Painting

ART TECH

Installation

Gagosian

Power Plant

InterAccess

Drake Hotel

Other Work

CV PDF

Resume PDF

WELCOME

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BIO

Born and raised downtown Toronto, Vanessa Rieger graduated from OCADU in 2009 with a degree in Drawing and Painting. Combining her skills in fine art, wood working, set design, analog video and performance, this helped her develop a multidisciplinary art practice that gives her audience an immersed A/V experience. Some of her creative inspirations include haunted houses, sci-fi movies, practical special effects, VHS and cyber punk. Currently she works as a professional arts technician, gallery installer and Teacher’s Assistant for Integrated Media at OCADU.

Rieger currently lives and works between Toronto and Picton Ontario, where she has a woodshop and studio space.

Rieger is passionate about the arts community and studio practice. In 2009, she helped found the board of directors at White House Studio Project located in Kensington Market downtown Toronto and acted as Project Manager for 3 years. She sat on the Board of Directors for Whippersnapper gallery in 2012. In 2013 she founded/initiated the Artist Work Exchange Program at Artscape Gibraltar Point on Toronto Island. Rieger was an active member of the Analog Preservation Network from 2013-14 and is currently in a collaborative arts project with Brandon A. Dalmer called “Videomancy” which specializes in live sculptural video projections.

Projects

Recent and notable art projects by Vanessa B Rieger. Details below.

Coffin Factory Funeral

March 2019
In honour of the former 89-109 Niagara
Toronto Star - As Toronto’s Coffin Factory dies, artists mourn their affordable live-work units NOW Toronto - From Coffin Factory to condo: artists say goodbye to storied loft space
CBC Here and Now - After nearly 60 years, the Coffin Factory is evicting its residents

Coffin Factory portrait commissioned from Dainel Rotsztain

View from 401-89 Niagara

Hardwood detail from coffin lid.
Wood donated by Coffin Factory woodshop tenants.

Coffin Factory Funeral art crate time capsule (2019)
The casket was made in the artist's studio on-site at the Coffin Factory

Funeral notice poster hung in the building and community

Photo taken by Samuel Engelking, as appeared in NOW Toronto

At the Funeral. Jeremy Edwardes playing saxophone.

The funeral procession, as appeared in The Toronto Star

Ready for the Last Supper at the Coffin Factory Studios.
Prior to the funeral the artist invited community members for a final dinner together.

Last Supper at the Coffin Factory Studios.

Decomposition

Part of Eulogy For The Coffin Factory, Nuit Blanche 2019
Curated by Chris Foster & Daniel Rotsztain

"Decomposition" video testing in artist's workshop.

"Decomposition" unplugged outside artist's studio
Awaiting shipment to Nuit Blanche

"Decomposition" installed at 109 Niagara for the Eulogy For The Coffin Factory, Nuit Blanche 2019 exhibition.

"Decomposition" video component (12min), a timelapse of artist packing studio due to eviction.

Ghost Hole

Production and curation of seven haunted art shows in October, 2009-2015.

Ghost Hole Archive

Original Ghost Hole poster graphic.

Ghost Hole 7 ticket, created and printed by Jesjit Gil at Colour Code.

NIGHTLIFEGUARD

Positive and safer party initiative. Providing safety while facilitating party.

NIGHTLIFEGUARD uniform and accessories.

NIGHTLIFEGUARD Café at Electric Eclectics 2018.
Emargency coffee relief.

NIGHTLIFEGUARD Café message board and lost & found at Electric Eclectics 2018.

NIGHTLIFEGUARD message board and lost & found at a stormy Electric Eclectics 2015.

NIGHTLIFEGUARD promo graphic for Camp Wavelength 2015.

NIGHTLIFEGUARD HQ at Electric Eclectics 2018.

On the dancefloor at Electric Eclectics 2015.

On duty for New Nails @ Club 120, 2018.

Sunset teardown at Electric Eclectics 2019.

Standard NIGHTLIFEGUARD kit.

Alt NIGHTLIFEGUARD kit.

The NIGHTLIFEGUARD.

NIGHTLIFEGUARD on duty.

NIGHTLIFEGUARD at Don Blanche

Artist presenting about NIGHTLIFEGUARD, Small Talk, 2013.

Tarp Ghost

A post-apocalyptic ghost from the future, carrying an urban mythology that questions how our existence lingers and haunts the Earth long after our extinction.

Found tarp ghost.

Tarp Ghost performance, Toronto Island, Summer Solstice 2015
Curated by Jamie Ross

Outdoor Tarp Ghost video installation, Drake Hotel, Nuit Blanche 2014

Tarp Ghost performance at BAAF

EMNX

Tarp Ghost "Next Life" performance.

Dan Deacon show

Extermination Night Tarp Ghost

Cell Phone Shrine

Installation for Feast in the East, Arts in the Park, July 8th 2017.
Cell Phone Shrine is a multimedia sculpture installation that acts as a religious monument to society’s “faith” in smart phone devices. The shrine possesses two columns, one of android chargers and one of Apple chargers. The viewer can interact with the shrine, either by kneeling, watching the video work on the monitor, or by plugging in their smart phones and charging their devices. Video is single channel 5 min loop.

In the shop creating hand-laid clay frame detail.

Shrine just after painting.

Shrine installation at Toronto Arts In The Park, 2016.
Curated by Feast In The East.

Residencies

Participated in the following art residencies, since 2013.

White Rabbit

Stages Crew member constructing stage screen for perfoming visuals, both as part of VIDEOMANCY. 2018.

Timelapse of the coastline at Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia.

2018 White Rabbit Stages Crew.

Working in the lab with Brandon Dalme.

White Rabbit orientation meeting with Tom Young.

DJ Booth setup, VIDEOMANCY-style.

Main Stage preparations.

Hanging out in the radio station studio.

Acoustic Stage setup.

A/V tent at Main Stage, visuals & lighting by VIDEOMANCY.

Timelapse of the Acoustic Stage setup.

Channel Surf

2-week nomadic paddle and portage residency along the Rideau Canal from Kingston to Ottawa to develop NIGHTLIFEGUARD.
Ended with an exhibition at G101, Ottawa. June 27 - July 7, 2015. All photos 35mm.
Curated by the Department of Biological Flow, 2015.

Boat launch from Kingston with canoe partner Anuta Skrypka.

Boat launch site in Kingston, Ontario.

First campground at Smiths Falls Locks.

Lunch break along the Canal.

NIGHTLIFEGUARD in a swimming safety workshop, with Rebecca Noone and Vanessa Daws.

Sinking boat house.

Hard rain on the Canal.

Canoe safety workshop.

Lunch on the water.

Waiting for the locks.

Arrival in Ottawa!

Don Blanche

Vanessa B. Rieger attended Don Blanche art residency in Meaford, Ontario, Canada in July of 2011, 2012, and 2013.

Don Blanche Beach. NIGHTLIFEGUARD Chair in progress.

NIGHTLIFEGUARD Chair in action.

Drake Lab

Analog video art development residency, as part of Analog Preservation Network (APN).
Curated by Rea McNamara. 2015.

APN video graphic.

Stage lighting console made by artist and Brandon Dalmer.

APN member Peter Rahul video setup.

Window display at the Drake Hotel on Queen St W.

APN member Pater Rahul on the decks.

Still of live Petra Glynt performance inside Holodeck.

Still of performance by Raki Malhotra inside Holodeck.

Still of Pale Eyes performance inside Holodeck.

Still of Fresh Flesh performance inside Holodeck.

Carrier Arts publication launch, featuring screening of experimental 8mm and 16mm films.

Water Walk Sky

Floating 8' x 8' gallery, off-shore at Artscape Gibraltar Point, Toronto Island. 2012
Curated by Felix Kalmenson.

Gallery on Gibraltar Point Beach prior to launch.

Segments of flooring used during artist's performance and dance party at New Tradions Festival, hung in the floating gallery.

VJ / Video / Lighting

Vanessa B. Rieger has been working as VJ for over 5 years. Specializing in VHS analog to digital video, Vanessa creates colourful and sometimes psychedelic visuals, utilizing live feeds and projection mapping software. She has also acted as a live stage lighting tech, art director and lighting director for various live concerts, festivals and music videos.

VIDEOMANCY

VIDEOMANCY is a collaborative video installation duo (Vanessa B. Rieger and Brandon A. Dalmer), combining set installation with video and projection mapping techniques to create an immersive visual context for live performances and concerts.

VIDEOMANCY website

Projection mapping installation at Pleasure Dome 25th Anniversary Party, Cinecycle, Toronto, Ontario. 2014.

Live Alien Autopsy at Kazoo! Festival Spooktacular, Guelph, Ontario. 2018.

VIDEOMANCY portrait.

Projection mapping installation at Acid Bath, White House Studio Project, Toronto, Ontario. 2016

Projection mapping installation "Soul Survivor" at X-Space Halloween Video Screening, Toronto, Ontario. 2015

Barn window projections at Wayhome, Oro-Medonte, Ontario. 2016.

Ceiling projection at Long Winter, Toronto, Ontario. 2016.

Projection mapping stage installation for New Fries at Incline/\Decline Festival, Guelph, Ontario. 2015.

"Projected Futures" projection installation for Gladstone Hotel Art Hut Residency, Toronto, Ontario. 2016.

Projection mapping installation at Feast In The East, The Jam Factory, Toronto, Ontario. 2016.

"Sole Survivor" projection mapping installation at Up Here Festival, Cambrian College Student Gallery, Sudbury, Ontario. 2016.

Fiver performing with the "Time Crystal Resonator" at Feast In The East, The Jam Factory, Toronto, Ontario. 2016.

Festivals & Shows

Firelight Festival

Projections and lighting. Crystal Palace. Picton, Ontario. 2018-2019.

Escape Camp Picton puzzle workshop, 2019

Firelight Festival main hall, 2019.

Firelight Festival main stage projections, 2019.

Firelight Festival main stage projections, 2018.

Firelight Festival main stage projections. Crystal Palace. Picton, Ontario. 2019.

Kazoo! Festival

Projection mapping and stage visuals. Kazoo! Festival. Guelph, Ontario. 2016.

Video installation and projections for ZONES at Kazoo! Festival. Guelph, Ontario. 2016.

Visuals for TRP.P & Nicolette Hoang as part of VIDEOMANCY, Kazoo! Fest, Guelph, 2019.

Night Owl Festival

Stage and venue decoration. The Rec Room. Toronto, Ontario. 2017-2018.

Owls created for Night Owl Festival.

Owls at The Rec Room.

Owl on stage at The Rec Room.

Owls on stage while Kaliedoscope Horse performs at The Rec Room. Toronto, Ontario.

River & Sky

Stage lighting and projections. Fisher's Paradise. Field, Ontario. 2017-Present.

Projections on Beach Stage for performance by Little Mazarn, as part of VIDEOMANCY.

Beach Stage decor and lighting.

DJ Zone furniture, decor, and lighting.

Venus Fest

Stage visuals. Various venues. Toronto, Ontario. 2017-2019.

Projections for Weaves. Daniels Spectrum, Toronto, Ontario. 2017.

Projections for Lido Pimienta. Daniels Spectrum, Toronto, Ontario. 2017.

Projections for Witch Prophet. Daniels Spectrum, Toronto, Ontario. 2017.

Projections for The Highest Order. Daniels Spectrum. Toronto, Ontario. 2017.

Artist in tech booth.

Projections for Charlotte Cardin. Opera House, Toronto, Ontario. 2019.

Projections for Partner. Opera House, Toronto, Ontario. 2019.

Projections for Ziibiwan. Opera House, Toronto, Ontario. 2019.

Projections for TRP.P. Opera House, Toronto, Ontario. 2019.

Projections for Nice Hands. Opera House, Toronto, Ontario. 2019.

Projections for Amaka Queenette. Opera House, Toronto, Ontario. 2019.

Vanus Fest 2018 crew.

Feast In The East

Stage decoration and lighting installation. Matt Durant Studio. Toronto, Ontario. 2017.

Joanne Pollock performing at Feast In The East 64, Matt Durant Studio, Toronto, Ontario. 2017.

FET.NAT performing at Feast In The East 64, Matt Durant Studio, Toronto, Ontario. 2017.

Zacht Automaat performing at Feast In The East 64, Matt Durant Studio, Toronto, Ontario. 2017.

Petra Glynt performing at Feast In The East 64, Matt Durant Studio, Toronto, Ontario. 2017.

A Night With Pleasence

Stage projections. The Music Gallery. Toronto, Ontario. 2017.

A Night With Pleasence opening.
Sculptures by Randy Gagné.

Projections for performance by ZONES.

Projections for performance by DOOM TICKLER.

Video Void

Monthly VJ/DJ night at Farside, Toronto, Ontario. 2016.

Video Void title graphic.

Other Shows

Various gigs in and around Toronto, Ontario.

Projections and lighting for performance by Man Made Hill at Double Double Land, Toronto, 2018.

Projections and lighting for performance by Bile Sister at Trans-pecos, New York City, 2017.

Projections and lighting for performance by Fin at Katzman's Contemporary, Toronto, 2017.

Stage decor for She's A Witch Halloween Party at Les Bar, Toronto, 2018.

Interior for She's A Witch Halloween Party at Les Bar, Toronto, 2018.

DJ JD at She's A Witch Halloween Party at Les Bar, Toronto, 2018.

Projections and lighting for Leucrocuta at Coffin Factory Studios, Toronto, 2018.

Visuals for LALALALA performance as part of Venus Fest presentation of Frankie Cosmos, The Rec Room, Toronto, 2018.

Visuals for Florist performance as part of Venus Fest presentation of Frankie Cosmos, The Rec Room, Toronto, 2018.

Visuals for Frankie Cosmos performance as part of Venus Fest presentation, The Rec Room, Toronto, 2018.

Dan Deacon.

Visuals for The Elwins as part of String Fling, The Great Hall, Toronto, 2017.

Music Videos

Music video production & lighting/VJ projects.

Dilly Dally video (2019)

Bile Sister video (2015)

Stage decor, projections, and lighting for Sydanie as part of Dilly Dally video shoot at Coffin Factory Studios, Toronto, 2019.

Stage decor, projections, and lighting for Dilly Dally as part of their video shoot at Coffin Factory Studios, Toronto, 2019.

Analog Preservation Network

Collective of various artists working with analog and "obsolete" video formats. 2015-2017.

"JUMBOTRON" at Long Winter, Toronto, Ontario. 2016.

APN member Peter Rahul at a video jam night. 2015.

Artist self-portrait inside "JUMBOTRON".

Projections at MOCA Toronto for Videodrome, 2015.

"JUMBOTRON" installation at Wayhome Festival. Oro-Medonte, Ontario. 2015.

Mural & Street

Vanessa B. Rieger worked as a sign and mural painter, from 2005 - 2012. Experimenting with graffiti and street art while in high-school, Vanessa later worked as an artist and facilitator for various mural programs, youth programs and graffiti transformation projects for and within the City of Toronto.
While attending OCADu, Vanessa was part of the first group of student/artists to coordinate and execute the “Yellow Stairwell Mural Project”. The mural program continues at OCADu to this day. Vanessa’s mural can be found above the 4th floor in the Yellow Stairwell.