Rumour, WORLDPOOL: Judith Doyle Network Archive

Overview

Rumour, WORLDPOOL: Judith Doyle Network Archive opens September 18 at the plumb, in collaboration with artist Judith Doyle. The exhibition revisits the archives of WORLDPOOL and Rumour Publications—two artist-led initiatives co-founded by Doyle in the late 1970s. From 1978 to 1979, the teleculture collective WORLDPOOL met weekly on Wednesdays at 720 Queen Street West in Toronto, using fax and Slow-Scan machines to exchange collaborative artworks with artists and collectives in New York, Vancouver, Victoria, Tokyo and Los Angeles. WORLDPOOL operated out of the storefront office of Rumour Publications, an artist-run press that published chapbooks and hosted workshops, exhibitions and performances by artists including Kathy Acker, Philip Monk, Judy Rifka, John Greyson, Fred Gaysek and Judith Doyle.

Exhibition & Venue

Curated by Kari Cwynar and Kara Hamilton of Kunstverein Toronto and hosted by the plumb, 1655 Dufferin St (basement), Toronto. Exhibition hours are 2–5pm Saturdays and Sundays, or by appointment. Please note that the plumb is not an accessible space.

Key Dates & Events

• September 18–October 18, 2026: Exhibition
• September 18, 6–8pm: Opening Reception
• September 19, 1–1:45pm: Exhibition Tour
• September 19, 4–6pm: 'It's Not All Talk': Revisiting Rumour Publications (The Tranzac, 292 Brunswick Ave)
• October 12 (week of): Drop-in collage, fax art and zine publishing workshops
• October 17, 6–9pm: Dine on Line: Participatory Fax Exchange Event
• Wednesdays (ongoing): Study sessions with Judith Doyle for school groups and researchers
• Date TBC: Memorial for Fred Gaysek (The Cameron House, 408 Queen St W)

Programming

The exhibition, readings, performances, workshops and participatory fax events aim to re-activate Rumour and WORLDPOOL's activities and networks, and their joint experiments with language, communication, collective authorship and collaborative, anti-institutional writing and making. Throughout the week of October 12, drop-in collage, fax art and zine publishing sessions will be hosted by artist Judith Doyle and graphic designers Laura Pappa and Lotte Laura Schröder in the exhibition space. Details will be posted on Kunstverein Toronto's website and Instagram account. Artist Judith Doyle will host school groups and interested researchers on Wednesdays in the exhibition space for informal study sessions and conversation.