Unfolding: Nuit Blanche Toronto, 2019
The title of this project speaks to history as a narrative presently and always unfolding. It also speaks to relationships between past and present—and it gestures towards the kind of unfolding that reveals phenomena which have been covered, hidden or overlooked. The weavings that we displayed in this installation were a timeline of histories and stories of Scarborough, written down and woven chronologically onto a loom by residents of all ages. Hung over a pathway, these weavings cycled through past, present and future, forming a continuum. As audiences walked down the pathway, they could see and touch stories written on the fringe of the weavings. At the end of the pathway, visitors could enter a chamber with a video and audio installation based on words from the stories. Audiences also had the opportunity to add their own words and images to this installation.
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Photo by: Katherine Fleitas/Peacephoto
Lead Artist and Installation Designer: Sonja Rainey
Lead Artist and Artistic Producer: Beth Helmers
Video Projection Design: Kelly Lui △, with footage from Adrienne Marcus-Raja***** and Robin Archer
Audio Installation Design: Oshan Starreveld*** (recorded audio) and Kai Masaoka (live audio and installation)
Installation Technicians: Karis Jones-Pard, Rebecca Vandevelde
Live Music: Natalie Fasheh
Textile Artist: Marianne Alas
Installation Facilitators (Staff & Volunteers): Ceilidh Carberry, Fiona Pereira, Gehan Udayanga Kolamba Tantrege, Joanna Prescod, Nimikii Couchie****, Sam Egan*****, Tuija Hansen*****
Other Contributing Staff and Artists: Ahmed Hegazy △, Aloka Wijesundara △, Connor Fischer △, Jamie Oshkabewisens**, Kaitlynn Rodgers △, Sasha Tate-Howarth, Sarah Miller, Tijana Spasic*
Special Thanks to: Carly Wolowich, Zakera Bulbulia, Lisa Marie DiLiberto and Theatre Direct, Ruth Howard***** and Jumblies Theatre
*Metcalf Foundation courtesy of Jumblies
**OAC Compass courtesy of Jumblies
***Miziwe Biiik courtesy of Jumblies
**** Cultural and Human Resources Career Council courtesy of Jumblies
***** Courtesy of Jumblies
△ supported by Canada Summer Jobs and Summer Experience Program
Full credits for music, words and choreography from Unfolding theatre production here.
And to everyone who has contributed to this project over many years, our deepest gratitude.
Funders and Partners:
Tim Hortons, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, Government of Canada, City of Toronto, Cedar Ridge Creative Centre, ARTSIDEOUT, East Scarborough Storefront, Jumblies Theatre, Malvern Town Centre, Malvern Library, Native Child and Family Services of Toronto, Nuit Blanche Toronto, Scarborough Town Centre, Scarborough Village and many more