Ottawa (Canada) – The National Archives of Canada and the National Arts Centre are proud to announce the launch of an exhibition, Cultural Capital: Portraits in Platinum by V. Tony Hauser, starting Wednesday February 21^st. An opening event for media and invited guests will be held Tuesday February 20^th at 5:00 p.m. at the National Arts Centre.

This photographic exhibition features portraits of leading figures in the performing arts in Canada photographed over a 30-year period by the acclaimed Toronto-based photographer V. Tony Hauser. The prints come from the National Archives and the photographer’s personal collection. Cultural Capital will be presented at the National Arts Centre from February 20^th until April 13^th.

The Spiritualism Series consists of seven volumes of files which document King’s interest in spiritualism and the psychic world. The Finances Series contains King’s personal financial records, including information on the Laurier House Trust Fund.

The exhibition represents a significant collaboration between two major cultural institutions – the National Archives, as the site for preserving Canadians' collective memory; and the National Arts Centre, as Canada's premier showcase for the performing arts.

“I’m delighted that we are able to present this magnificent exhibition at the National Arts Centre,” said Peter Herrndorf, Director General and CEO of the National Arts Centre. “The majority of the people featured in the photographs have close ties with the NAC, and this is a ‘coming-home’ of sorts for many of them.”

Cultural Capital will feature photographs of personalities who have played an important role in the development of Canada's cultural life, including such well-known personalities as pianist Glenn Gould, ballerina Veronica Tennant, actor Jean-Louis Roux and opera singer Teresa Stratas. The exhibition focuses on the portrait as a way of creating a personal connection between the artist and viewer, bringing to mind a particular performance or production.

“Tony Hauser’s prints are a welcome addition to the more than four million photographs which form part of the National Portrait Collection held at the National Archives of Canada. Cultural Capital is the first exhibition presented as part of the newly announced Portrait Gallery of Canada, which will open in 2004 across from Parliament Hill,” said Ian E. Wilson, National Archivist.

Tony Hauser is internationally recognized for his fine prints, in particular for his mastery of platinum printing. This process, which was developed in 1873, gained favour as the purest and most permanent of the photographic processes. After declining in popularity during WWI, it was revived in the 1960s and 70s.

Cultural Capital: Portraits in Platinum by V. Tony Hauser is being shown in the Foyer of Southam Hall at the National Arts Centre and is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; admission is free. The portraits will also be featured on the National Arts Centre’s Web site during the exhibition, which can be accessed at www.nac-cna.ca.

For more information on this exhibition, please contact:

Louisa Coates
National Archives of Canada
Telephone: (613) 992-9361
E-mail: media@lac-bac.gc.ca

(or)

Geneviève Gales
National Arts Centre
Telephone: (613) 947-7000 ext. 560