Sediments : Artists Creating A Place Away from Home

    Sediments deploy an insider's perspective on the traditional Fogo island within Canada's Newfoundland. Juxtaposing the landscape with permanent residents and visitors who are able to relate their experiences within its contexts. Eight artists, consisting of the University of Toronto's own Daniels students, led by Professor Garett Long, work together to create a sense of place within a location away from home. The layout of the exhibit allowed each piece to bask in their own spotlight allowing viewers to focus on their intentions. However, the flow allows for a story to unfold, and the viewer is encouraged to create connections relating to their experiences. 

    For instance, Gareth Long alongside Rahul Sehjipaul reutilizes Long’s desk explorations to bring forward the questioning of learning with the use of traditional fish cleaning stations residing on the island. Creating a window for the audience to partake in not only their experience of learning but also the traditions of the island they have yet to visit themself. Mia Coschignano continues this push for connection with a place that we find unfamiliar with their trinket shelf. Coschignano uses these items as placeholders for moments that are intimate for them and their experiences on the island. Using these found objects as placeholders to inflict memories even when reflecting on the trip in the near future. The audience can relate as shells and other items found within specific landscapes are a common pastime to show to others when traveling back to their home. 

Specifically for me, the space felt intimate yet allowed ample space to look from a distance and up close at each piece. Each artist created short and clear statements and created some space for inferring. They allowed the audience to rely on the read and feel and remember their own trips either close or far away places. I particularly felt moved by Joy Li’s ‘Certain Recollections.’ Animations created vague and specific moments of their trip. Relating to my own experiences of travel, particularly in Mexico. I was very young, yet the shells I collected sent me back into a spiral of moments and intimate times with my family.

Togo, Newfoundland’s Inn