Threshold

Commissioned for Knowsy Festival, "The Iridescence of People | The Gem of Alberta Avenue" will be exhibited this weekend only at Pe Metawe Games, located at 11804 94 St.

Knowsy Festival is the culmination of the Auricle Project, with City of Edmonton and InWithForward, which sent Local Listeners (including our founder Christina) out into the community to gather stories about wellbeing and what it means to live and work in Alberta Avenue. Stories heard ranged from sidewalk encounters to profound spiritual reflections on loss and joy.

The festival is taking place mainly outdoors at Pe Metawe Games, Qi Creative Inc., The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse, and Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts, all located within a block from 94 St and 118 Avenue. An indoor portion, led by the team who designed the project and event, is happening at Pe Metawe, with games and activites to help people understand the stories on display and make their own connections.

From Christina's artist statement:

"For many of us, what we fear most is our own power: are we being or doing enough; are we loving or being loved. Yet throughout this summer, something I deeply value — the simple, attentive presence of another human being — was reciprocated to me over and over, from strangers, people I only had cause to know through local listening, in the midst of a global pandemic that has forced us all 6’ apart. To be fully present with another is to hold and be held. Even in our darkest moments, and though we may not always know it, we are loved and beautiful."

Thank you to Stephen Pilby and Leo Pan at Lighttools for their laser cutting expertise, Klyment Tan for technical advice and lighting, and Brenna Deines and Aaron Ignacio-Deines and Riven for production assistance. Thank you to Daniel Plamondon and the staff at Pe Metawe Games for their generosity and helpfulness. Special thanks also to Aurora Abril Ignacio for keeping the home fires burning.