Call Ampersand Response is a collaborative artwork made of images exchanged via email. Over a period of several months, Dumontier and Lexier sustained an image-based correspondence by sending each other scans of book covers, found objects, drawings and illustrations belonging to each artist’s respective collection. The project is based on the idea that their collections speak of their shared artistic affinities while informing their practices. Two rules dictated their conduct: each image was to function as a “call” seeking a “response” from the other artist, and the dialogue was to end when an image recalling the project’s opening image emerged, thereby constituting a narrative loop. Their conversation gave rise to a bookwork co-edited by Nieves and Artexte.

Michael Dumontier (born 1974) is a Winnipeg-based artist whose work encompasses drawing, sculpture, painting, and collage. He is a founding member of The Royal Art Lodge (1997–2008), and has exhibited throughout Canada and internationally. His distinct, minimalist style often features visual puns and references from how-to manuals and vintage children’s books. Beyond his individual practice, Dumontier has worked collaboratively with fellow Royal Art Lodge member Neil Farber with whom he has held weekly drawing sessions for over 15 years, and with Micah Lexier. He is represented in Toronto by MKG127 and by Paul + Wendy Projects, and in Montreal by Galerie Division.

Micah Lexier (born 1960) is a Toronto-based conceptual artist and curator. His work embraces notions of identity and its representation through a variety of media including sculpture, photography, drawing, printmaking and installations. Lexier’s work has been shown at institutions such as Printed Matter (2007), the National Gallery of Canada Library (2004), the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (1998), and the Art Gallery of Ontario (1993). He is represented in Toronto by Birch Libralato, in Calgary by TrépanierBaer, and in Sydney by Gitte Weise Galerie.