This documentary project revisits a collective called Who’s Emma, which was located in Toronto’s Kensington Market from 1996 to the year 2000. Who’s Emma was considered a social experiment, an autonomous zone, a record shop, a bookstore, and primarily just a ‘cool’ place for youth to congregate. Named after Emma Goldman, the notorious anarcho-feminist who once resided in the neighborhood, this volunteer-run retail operation brought punk youth and anarchist activists together to work collectively. The problematic yet transformative social dynamic of the collective is investigated and represented through a video documentary, screening event and exhibition featuring posters, flyers, minutes from meetings, financial papers, and other documents from Who’s Emma.

The video is the primary catalyst for the entire project – in interviewing the 15 participants I have reconnected and stirred up interest in what Who’s Emma was. The screening event (potluck/screening/discussion/meeting/show/performance) will physically bring past volunteers and anyone presently interested together to remember Who’s Emma and contemplate the potential for such a place in the future. The exhibition will showcase the DVD of the video (catalyst) and the video documentation of the screening event, and additional footage. Two monitors with headphones will be situated in a room (10’ x 12’) completely postered with Who’s Emma ephemera.