Artasia 2023
Empowering children to explore the interconnectedness of nature, housing, and community through creative expression and repurposing materials.
Tree/House
During an ecological crisis, can we preserve greenspaces and habitats? During a housing crisis, can we find an affordable home for everyone? In the “both/and” spirit of “bread and roses”, Artasia 2023 “tree/house” draws attention to the interconnectedness of ecology and economy. Artasia refuses to acquiesce to ecosystem destruction and stagnant politics. Artasia welcomes urgent and youthful creativity. Artasia repurposes an effluence of cardboard and plastic (the discarded by-products of supply chain capitalism). Artasia amplifies the voices of children and young people. Artasia gives voice to alternate visions of our shared world. Artasia calls on and calls out leaders to act with creativity, empathy and courage to address the challenges of our time.
Tree
Upcycled cardboard, rescued from factories and warehouses, comes full circle as children and youth shape cardboard tubes and sheets into arboreal forms, highlighting local species of trees and the importance they play ecologically as habitat and food for countless creatures. Bark rubbings are created with excess vinyl signage as a base.Textures of all kinds are overlaid onto trees. Wrapped bark becomes a medium onto which children inscribe the names of trees, and messages of reflection.
Forest
Empathizing with species at risk within our region helps us to understand the broader patterns of interconnectedness. Through sculpture and storytelling, children converse with and create turtles, salamanders, birds and fish, to advocate for habitat protections. Will you make space for ____(cranes)___? Landscapes are created using fabric and blankets. We learn about the habits of birds and create nests from leftover art material scraps. Fungal networks are also on our radar.
House
What makes a house a home? Humans also need a place to live. Where they can celebrate and rest, learn, share, grow and thrive. We ask children what is important about a home, through the creation of interior dioramas. These portraits of values serve to remind politicians that everyone has a right to a roof over their heads. A large scale variation invites us to consider including vertical architectures that allow us to conserve greenspaces.
Neighborhood
While skyscrapers are problematic, tearing up the Greenbelt is not a sustainable way forward. We ask children to imagine what housing might look like alongside sustainable greenspace and within a livable city. Architectural concepts are explored while innovation is sparked. Minecraft inspired cubes are stacked into open ended structures connected by transit.
Guardian
Everyone is a guardian in their own local “galaxy”. Each of us can play a role in our community to care for trees, houses, and each other. In this activity, children create wearable helmets and capes to empower their own sense of belonging, critical consciousness, and awareness for advocacy. Strengths of personality and character are embodied in artistic form.
Exhibition
A large-scale sculpture will be installed at SuperCrawl in September 2023, featuring integrated tree-like forms together with more angular/architectural elements: a scaled up version of the best ideas from children and youth. Repurposed industrial large scale tubes and re-used/excess vinyl form the core of a provocative “forest” onto which is hung the curated artwork of Artasia participants. Cardboard is weather-readied with exterior primer/sealer and/or excess vinyl. Overall aesthetic is white-painted cardboard with colourful layered messages as foliage. This community tree may evolve and be expanded and layered into by exhibition visitors.
Project Documentation and Exhibit
Accompanying the Throughout the program 3d scanning will occur to capture the sculptural outputs of children as digital models. These assets will be exhibited as a 3d gallery in an accessible online space.
