By Petra Totten
Charles Street Video (CSV) is pleased to present Dissonant-Allegories ; an exhibition exploring the creation of Trans- inclusionary spaces where viewers can step in and consider trans+ ways of life through the apparatus of cinematic image and creation.
Dissonant-Allegories seeks to tease out the possibilities of trans+ creative practices in nonfiction film, through isolating specific techniques within documentary forms. This isolation reflects the ways in which trans+ people apprehend specific ways of living (like physical presentation, mental manifestation, and medical intervention) , and transform them into new paths of existence, carrying us beyond cis-hetero-patriarchal ways of being. Dissonant Allegories aims to create a space of contemplation where viewers can step in and consider trans+ ways of life through the apparatus of cinematic image and creation. Presenting such a view of trans+ image-making, moves beyond the representational regime trans+ folks find themselves existing within (especially in documentary film), and offers launching points for conversations and engagements about how trans+ people can continue to make art that reflects our lived experience.
About the Artist:
Petra Totten (BA ’18, MFA ’21) is a video artist and Vanier Scholar working in nonfiction and documentary currently based in Toronto, Ontario. Her work has won awards at the Emmys and InsideOut, and has been presented in film festivals, galleries, and zines across North America, Asia, and Europe. In writing and film, Petra’s work is grounded in lived experience: She formulates arguments for trans+ life and advocates for widening the boundaries of artistic expression in nonfiction film.
Exhibition Dates: Sept 11th – 26th, 2026
- Thursday – 6pm – 9pm
- Friday – 6pm – 9pm
- Saturday – 12pm – 4pm
Special Events:
PLUS two special “Poetry & Prose” reading events, taking place in the gallery on, September 12th (4 – 6pm) and 24th (6-8pm), 2026.
- Poetry & Prose – Gallery reading ~ Friday Sept 12th, 6:30pm to 9pm *Free/No RSVP*
- Poetry & Prose – Gallery reading ~ Thursday Sept 24th, 6-8pm *Free/No RSVP*
