Illuminated Tapestry: Manitoba Warming Hut
2019 submission with M. Aubin-Salhi, S. Pradel
The illuminated tapestry is an invitation for internalization. From the outside, it appears as a denuded and no-name wooden shack, yet the interior provides a hyper-sensory experience. Light and warmth fill the space. The installation takes the idea of the refuge as a sanctuary, both protecting from the climate, but also from noise and everyday distractions. The acrylic vitrail is a deliberate reference to spiritual spaces and turns traditional Manitoban iconography into an abstract play of colours - the bison, the Prairie Crocus, Aboriginal Cree, Ojibway and Dakota patterns.
It is a place for gathering, for rest, and a place to share experiences and personal narratives. During the day, the winter sun illuminates the space; the colored light seeping through the tapestry and reflecting off of the reflective blankets that texture the walls. At sundown, we invite the public to grab their pocket lamps and phones to light up the space; creating a glowing box from the exterior.
