Saying that it is an ‘uncertain time for art’ would almost be too blanketly obvious of a statement in the face of the global pandemic which has continued to be a nuisance for the majority of this year and likely the majority of next year as well. It would be equally correct to say that it is an ‘uncertain time’ for bath-time rubber ducks or pine tree scented air-fresheners, but the Vancouver Art gallery plans to take uncertainty to the next level when it comes to speculating on narratives in art. Recently, the gallery has taken to planning a curated collection of exhibits and pieces, to be displayed as part of the Where do we go from here? the event beginning December 12^th. The focus is very much embodied in the title, a grand opportunity for attendees at the gallery to observe pieces which denote narratives of historical pasts and speculative futures. While the exhibit itself sounds like a fascinating opportunity to roll out a few of the gallery’s greatest hits from its wide collection for the public’s perusal, I find myself troubled by the wording of the article on the gallery’s website teasing the event. The words “accepted narratives” ring tiny warning bells in my brain. Art has always depicted narratives drawn from lived experiences, realities, imaginations, speculations, and beauteous perspectives on otherwise mundane phenomena. ‘Accepted narratives’ threatens something which I believe may have sinister undertones. Too many institutions have danced along these similar lines, acting as arbitrators of truths, determining which narratives are curated as ‘acceptable’ and which are not worthy of the public’s bemusements. The uncertainty of our age isn’t only due to economic and medical conditions but each day we find the curators of our culture favoring the censorious attitudes of cancel culture. I have little faith that the collaborative effort of the gallery’s curators will diverge from this effort, but it will be interesting to see what direction they intend for us to go, nonetheless. The exhibit will be featured until May 30^th in 2021.