Our Hope for Children art installation was featured at this year’s Nuit Blanche in Toronto. The streets were packed to from dusk to the break-a-dawn as T.dot stayed awake all nite long, finding art in the most usual and unusual places. Shining in Yonge Street’s Additionelle store windows, 45 portraits represented the faces and voices of the city, blending words and images into “Poetik Portraits.” The exhibit featured the up close and personal imagery of photographer John Beebe. For two days, we set up a photo booth on the street – one in St. Lawrence Market, and the next in Nathan Phillip Square, and photographed and parlayed with both family and passersby, who came by and represented.
I remixed each person’s words and meditations on their hopes for children into a singular poetik piece; I wanted each phrase to be able to stand on its own, as well as a continuous lyrical poem, with verses and choruses. The words fused with the photos and here we have a collective artistic statement, coming straight from the people.
BiggUp Marie Lauren and the OACAS for the vision, and each person who shared their time, thoughts and words. One Love going out to J-Wyze, Mark Strong, DJ L’oqenz, Tamara Shelly, Brandon Haye, Quentin Vercetty, La Bomba, Koncept King, Tamara Dawitt, Theo 3, Rootz Kizzy, Jo Altillia, Love Jones Sundays and all the people – from kids to elders – whose faces made a beUtifull impact on Yonge St. that nite, amongst the revelry and noise, a silent and powerful statement. You, my people, are hope:) Bless!
