About the Exhibition
Individuality and Interconnection
Positioning the work of Canadian designers in the centre of an open and inviting space, the Canadian National Exhibition explores the relationship between a designer’s individuality and the collaborative nature of their practice. Questions of personal identity within a broader social, political and cultural context, as well as subjects of equity, diversity and inclusiveness in our profession and beyond are raised.
The design of the exhibition refers to an individual within a larger social context- from a close community to the idea of country or state. Four clearly defined units, identical in size and shape, are together constructing a larger, more prominent object. While dramatically different in their final appearance and design aesthetic, these units share walls, boarders, surrounding space, as well as audience. Perception of one space depends on the perception of the neighboring space. On a smaller scale, the exhibition proposes that the space around us, and our socio-cultural landscape, is defined both by individuals, as well as by the way in which we, as individuals, bond and stand beside each other.
Design of the exhibition and interest in subject of individuality and interconnection is rooted in the recent and on-going transformation in Canadian theatre that illustrates an increased consciousness of this country’s diversity and socio-political and cultural milieu. Although there has not been a sudden or dramatic transformation in the way that Canadian theatres function, there is a rising awareness for the need for a multicultural and versatile theatre scene. Still, within the Canadian performance design community, it is evident that the majority of active, mid- career Canadian designers are people of white settler’s heritage, while the new generation of designers is more diverse.
The exhibition itself captures the current situation, and rather than being a complete and final project, its intention is to start a discussion and examine the value of diversity and inclusivity within the Canadian performing arts community. What does it truly mean to incorporate voices from less dominant cultures and sub-cultures within all performance related disciplines, including design?
In a much broader sense, the Canadian National Exhibition is a meditation on the theme of transformation. Transformation of an artist within a collective, within society and within their country or state (in these times of global migration), and how a specific environment shapes an artist and their work. Could an artist’s individual voice change the cultural landscape that surrounds them? How malleable are our borders? The Canadian National Exhibition argues that borders are points of connection, rather than separation.
The exhibit also aims to examine the influence of modern technology on the development of the performing arts industry, with a special focus on the designer’s process, communication with others and wide variety of design practices that are developed recently. As a part of that stream, Individuality and Interconnection: The 360 Degree Virtual Reality Interviews are not only a window into identity, individuality and process of the featured designers, but also an exploration of a new medium for presentation and documentation of a designer’s work.
