Artmosphere
Perched 113 storeys above Toronto, Artmosphere is an immersive, interactive art showcase, and the centerpiece of the CN Tower’s Lower Observation Level.
Artmosphere’s expansive, state-of-the-art video walls feature animated visual representations of original works by a collective of Canadian artists, including Indigenous artists from across the country.
The experience is free for CN Tower ticket holders.
Winter Series
Visual
“Star Stories of the Northern Skies” by Annwin Manitowabi
From the artist: In her piece, Annwin continuously uses elements of nature and animals that draw a connection between her Indigenous traditions and teachings as well as paying homage to her relationship with the City of Toronto. Annwin hopes her artwork conveys her love for family tradition and storytelling through the arts.
About the artist: Annwin Manitowabi is a mixed-First Nations Ojibway visual artist from Southern Ontario. She often draws inspiration from her Indigenous roots (Wikwemikoong Unceded Territory) and with lived experiences, traverses the mediums of embroidery, beading and painting. Annwin is entering her final year as a specialized psychology student and is focused on incorporating therapeutic arts into her career endeavours.
“Weather Pattern, A Scarf for New Winters” by Phillipe Blanchard
From the artist: Inspired by traditional Faire Isle patterns’ use of natural winter imagery, this piece questions how we represent the weather visually in a time of rapid climate change. This wool knit scarf mimics the wide aspect ratio of the accompanying interactive animation screen and employs noise and other digital imaging strategies to degrade the predictability of various snowflake patterns, hinting at seasons becoming glitched, random, and inconsistent.
About the artist: Phillipe Blanchard is a Toronto-based artist, animator and educator. With a diverse and creative background, Phillipe has an interdisciplinary practice that combines animation, installation, light shows, textile and printmaking. His research explores and disrupts how moving images inform cultural notions of time and space.
“Oniehte” by Santee Smith
From the artist: Oniethe refers to snow in Kanyen’keha and translates to “it is a natural entity that was sent”. Oniethe is a gift to Mother Earth and holds spirit.
About the artist: Santee Smith is a multidisciplinary artist from Kahnyen’kehaka Nation, Turtle Clan, Six Nations of the Grand River. After premiering her first work in 2004, Santee founded Kaha:wi Dance Theatre which is now an internationally renowned company. Santee is a teacher and speaker who speaks about Indigenous performance and culture and is the 19th Chancellor of McMaster University.
Audio
“Circular Landscapes” composed by Alejandro Basulto
About the work: “Circular Landscapes” is an orchestral suite divided into four movements. The work was composed as a companion for Artmosphere and draws inspiration from the unique visual works, the magnificent CN Tower architecture, and Canada’s iconic seasonal landscapes.
About the artist: Alejandro Basulto is a Mexican award-winning composer and orchestral conductor. His music is characterized by a profound Latin-American identity, a vibrant integration of contemporary popular culture, a continuous exploration of diverse techniques and the use of new narrative approaches.
Curation and Production
The curators, producers and animators of Artmosphere are Pedro Narváez and Emma López.
Their company, the Toronto-based AVA Animation and Visual Arts Inc., is an animation studio that specializes in projection mapping and creating extraordinary visual experiences with technology, creativity and emotion.
The animated and interactive original artworks currently featured in Artmosphere represent one part of a four-part seasonally themed audio-visual experience conceived and directed by AVA. Since 2010, AVA has specialized in projection mapping techniques achieving several international awards, as well as permanent installations in Mexico and Japan.
Interactivity by WORKSOFAR.
