SHORT ASSIGNMENT 1: MAKE THREE BOOK STACKS IMAGES
For this project, I decided to visit the library since I don’t have many books with me in Guelph. It had been years since I last went there, and this experience gave me a chance to reconnect with physical books. Instead of just using the library as a place to study, I spent time exploring the books, which reminded me of life before everything became digital. Holding the books brought back memories of that time.
The stacks I created are “Kon-Tiki and I… Born to Trouble”, “The Ape That Spoke…Life Is Tough…On Becoming Human”, and “The Voyages And Travels Of The Life Of Ferdinand Magellan…Been Places And Seen Things”. I arranged them in a way that tells a new story, as if the books are part of a bigger adventure. Through this process, I wanted to give them a new purpose, almost like a second life, by connecting the titles to suggest a shared journey.
This experiment allowed me to explore how books, when put together in unexpected ways, can go beyond their original meanings and become part of something more.
EXPERIMENTAL FIELD TRIP
Toronto Biennial of Art, Kensington market, and MOCA
Raven Chacon: Three Songs
A brief introduction to the work:
Three Songs (2021) is a three-channel video installation that delves into the history of Native resistance, challenging the myth of an empty, uninhabited American West. The accompanying visuals are paired with For Zitkála-Šá (2017–2020), a series of graphic scores dedicated to First Nations, Native American, and Mestiza composers and sound artists: Ange Loft, Autumn Chacon, Barbara Croall, Candice Hopkins, Carmina Escobar, Cheryl L’Hirondelle, Heidi Senungetuk, Jacqueline Wilson, Joy Harjo, Laura Ortman, Olivia Shortt, and Suzanne Kite.
In a dark room, we watched as videos were projected onto the walls around us. The visuals and music filled the space, and three women, each at different ages, sang as if they were telling stories from the past. The drumbeats, without any background music, felt like warnings, deep and resonant. What drew me in most about Three Songs by Raven Chacon were the visuals. The silent notes seemed to tell distant stories, but they became so vivid and real right before my eyes.
VIDEO PROJECT: Catherine, Simi, and Yiyue
Video Idea #1: The Quiet Perch
Concept:
The Quiet Perch is a video project that focuses on the calm and simple beauty of a bird yawning while sitting on benches in the arboretum. Yawning in this context is not meant to be disrespectful. It is a natural and peaceful act that shows relaxation and comfort, which symbolizes a moment of rest. It fits with the quiet and reflective theme of the project.
We will film at different times of the day—morning, afternoon, and sunset—to capture the different moods and lighting that nature offers, adding to the peaceful atmosphere.
Inspirations:
Corpus Dance Projects: A performance where the artists dress up like sheep and imitate the routine activities such as shearing, feeding, milking
Costume ideas
(ignore the head part)
The costume is inspired by the Black-capped Chickadee, a common bird in the arboretum. We will use different fabrics and materials to recreate the bird’s wings, making them look textured and full of movement while still feeling natural and grounded
Bench locations
“The Arboretum’s bench program is a charitable giving program which aims to commemorate loved ones or special milestones, beautify our gardens and collections, and provide both places for rest in the gardens and funds to sustain the Arboretum over time.
The $7,500 is a tax deductible gift, made through the University of Guelph, and the whole amount comes to the Arboretum. The funds support the bench, preparation, footings/pad, plaque design and creation, installation, and sealing, as well as a portion to our endowment for sustainability. The benches have a ten year term, after which family members are invited to renew. (This process arose as a significant need to ensure safety and sustainability).”
We will film on benches that are part of The Arboretum’s Bench Program, which allows people to honor loved ones or special events by placing benches in the gardens. These benches represent rest and reflection, which fits with the theme of our project. The bird yawning while perched on these benches will remind viewers of the importance of taking peaceful moments in life.
This project also acknowledges the University of Guelph’s Arboretum Bench Program, which supports the upkeep and care of these meaningful benches.
Shooting ideas:
Background sounds: collecting different sounds from the arboretum
Some clip could be one and another could be two of us perching on the bench at the same time
Video Idea #2: Dining in the Arboretum
Concept
In this video, we imagine a fine dining restaurant set up in the middle of nature, with the chef preparing meals for animals who are invited to dine. Through this scenario, we explore how wildlife interacts with a human-made environment like a restaurant. The video captures the intersection between the natural world and human creations, raising questions about coexistence and the influence of humans on animal habitats.
Class Discussion Inspiration
Our project is inspired by a class discussion on Lesbian National Parks and Services: A Force of Nature, where artists created new ways of thinking about nature and invented playful, creative interventions. In a similar way, our video turns the arboretum into a dining venue for animals, playfully blending nature with human elements to make viewers think differently about how we share space with wildlife.
Second Source of Inspiration
We also draw from The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store, a series where a department store adapts its services to animal customers, some from extinct species. This blending of hospitality with wildlife interactions, catering to the animals’ needs, serves as a model for our experiment. In this restaurant, we adapt our service to the animals, without imposing typical human expectations or orders, instead allowing their behavior to guide the experience.
Shooting Plan
The video will be filmed in a tranquil arboretum, where we, as chefs, create a miniature dining experience for the forest’s inhabitants. A small, elegantly set table will be arranged with vintage plates, cutlery, and an assortment of food designed to attract birds and other creatures. The focus is on non-verbal communication—there are no spoken interactions or orders between the chef and the guests. Instead, we observe the animals’ natural behavior, responding to their presence as they explore the environment.
The interactions between the animals and the human-made dining setup will dictate the pace and direction of the video. The idea is not to force a narrative but to capture an organic experience where the animals’ curiosity, hesitation, or engagement shapes the story. Through this process, we highlight the subtle dynamics of coexistence, demonstrating how humans and animals can share space while maintaining the integrity of their respective worlds.