Illuminations: human/nature is universally enjoyable, immensely creative

Oct 7 2017, 4:47 am

This isn’t your usual art installation.

Forget wide galleries or airy studios; Illuminations: human/nature defies convention by turning Lake Minnewanka into a canvas, and attendees into a crucial part of the picture.

The installation is a participative experience that was commissioned by the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and created by Emily Carr alumni Sarah Fuller and Montreal multimedia studio Moment Factory.

Illuminations: human/nature

Illuminations: human/nature (Chandler Walter/Daily Hive)

By being split into groups and encouraged to work together, the installation offers a unique experience off the get-go – namely, introducing yourself to complete strangers.

Once armed with the tools needed for Illuminations: human/nature – among them a lantern, a projector, a blank map, and, of all things, some pieces of coal – the group is sent into the park and left to their own devices to figure out, engage with, and experience the various glowing stations.

Intermingling a history of the area, a creative use of the tools, gorgeous light displays, and the natural landscape itself, the installation does not limit itself by appealing only to artistic-types; children, millennials, and seniors alike work together to uncover each piece of the illuminating experience.

Illuminations: human/nature

Herd of bison projection (Rita Taylor/Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity)

There’s a sense of togetherness formed from the installation as well; be it working together to project a map, deciding what station to head to next, or trying to remain as a unit in the dark with only a few flashlights guiding the way – flashlights with minds of their own – strangers are forced to keep close, and take in the displays as a group.

At the end, all the groups come together for a grand finale on the shores of the lake that inspired the installation in the first place, four years ago.

Illuminations: human/nature

History of Lake Minnewanka. (Rita Taylor/Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity)

While the starlit, lake-side setting is beautiful in its own right, the sounds of indigenous music, a burning fire, and mingling guests creates an unforgettable experience to end off the night.

Illuminations: human/nature runs from Thursday, October 5 to Saturday, October 7 in Banff National Park, and will then head to Toronto’s Rouge National Urban Park for October 19 to 21.

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While the setup may be the same in Toronto, the story will definitely be different, as the history of Lake Minnewanka was a crucial element in Banff’s installation.

Attendance is free, but registration is required.

So, who’s ready to get lit?

Illumination: human/nature

Light and sound simulates lightning and thunder (Rita Taylor/Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity)

Illuminations: human/nature Banff National Park

When: Thursday, October 5 to Saturday, October 7

Time: 6:50, 7:25, 9:05, 9:35, and 9:55 pm each day

Where: Banff Train Station Parking Lot – CP/RM Station, Railway Avenue at Lynx Street

Admission: Free! Register at Eventbrite

Illuminations: human/nature Rouge National Urban Park

When: Thursday, October 19 to Saturday, October 21

Time: 6:50, 7:25, 9:05, 9:35, and 9:55 pm each day

Where: Rouge National Urban Park

Admission: Free! Register at Eventbrite

Chandler WalterChandler Walter

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