Belonging to Place

Creating Culture will connect how large-scale exhibitions and festivals activate creative cities to engage the public. Thinking about performing culture that is transformation experience. Discussions around the support and creation of public exhibitions with past artistic director, artists and key people such as Julie Pelligrin, Meera Sethi, and Dr. Mark Campbell.

Behind Nuit will bring you to the backstage of how this massive public art exhibition is created. With our guest host Dr. Serena Keshavjee interviewing the Artistic Director Julie Nagam.

Shove it, uses the knowledge of skateboarding to invigorate practices of languages, self-determination and culture. This episode reflects on the importance of mentorship to inspire new generations of skateboarders armed with their own confidence with their skills in riding and self worth. Speaking with skaters, Rosie Archie, Joe Buffalo, Riel Stevenson-Burke, Mark Igloliorte and language keeper Zipporah Nochasak. 

Holding Ground will reflect on the contributions that Nuit Blanche has given to the City of Toronto through the last 15 years of a city take over with over 1600 artworks. This episode will reflection on the new book that illuminates the position of public art exhibitions within urban spaces with contributors Dr. Janine Marchessault, Alyssa Fearson, Hiba Abdallah, Umbereen Inayet.

Moving through water will map out major rivers, lakes and trade routes that define the geographic boundaries instead of the urban grid system that generally defines them. Beginning in the heart of Turtle Island and moving across the Pacific Ocean to understand the way people navigate through space, exploring ideas of displacement and disruption through the social, cultural, and architectural evolution of the cities. With artists and critical thinkers Dr. Niigaan Sinclair, Sun K Kwak, Natalie Robertson, and Jean Marshall. 

Remixes and vibrations will look at the transformation of media with sound, visual and screen-based formats. As our world rapidly shifts towards new and digital media, the screen is continuously within our reach. Conversations with Alan Greyeyes, Dr. Carla Taunton, Chun Hua Catherine Dong, and Dr. Johnson Witehira, investigate new movements in music, photography, VR, AR, and AI.

This episode will uncover the importance of decentering individualism and working towards collective actions that can create radical change in our institutions and structures through collaborations. Reflecting on new models of working we explore shared dialogues with curators and artists Krista Ulujuk Zawadski, Kablusiak, Dr. Heather Igloliorte, Asinnajaq, Randell Adjei and Michelle De Lyon.

Growth and transformation will delve into the rapid pace of change and growing infrastructure within urban spaces. The crisis of the built physical environment and the challenge of planning for a city that continues to grow and shift. This increase in people poses new opportunities for connection, and the creation of new narratives that are transforming the cityscape. Artists include Camille Turner, Joi Arcand, Whyishnave Suthagar and Haviah Mighty.

Across ice floes and oceans will connect us to water as a route to new places and relationships that are built within collaborative creative exchanges. The environment of experiencing the ebbs of flow of the ocean reminds us of the importance of communication and connection. Participating artists include Mana Moana (Rachael Rakena and Michael Bridgeman), Jerry Evans, Dr. Léuli Eshrāghi, and Maureen Gruben.    

Mark Making will map out street art, tagging, and architectural interventions that push against the structures that dominate our daily interactions with the cityscape. Artists through their practices transform public space and in doing so confront the tensions between the built environment, humans, and gentrification.  This episode will feature discussions with artists Philip Cote, eL Seed, Dr. Eduardo Aquino, Kaaterina Kerekere, Dr. Serena Keshavjee.