A Journey from Darkness to Light...

In the spring of 2008, 35 youth (ages 13 to 24) from across the GTA came together with local and international artists to build a multimedia art installation on global poverty, violence, and discrimination. 

 

The Walls of Sorrow/Walls of Hope Installation is a journey - from darkness to light, from ignorance to awareness, from prejudice to empathy, from despair to hope. Specifically, it explored the 'power of art' and how art can be used as a tool for transformation and a framework for diplomacy and conflict resolution. First exhibited originally in July and August 2008 at Metro and City Hall in Toronto, the installation includes seven major sculptures.

The Walls of Darkness

This sculpture includes two tunnels of darkness, video projections of theatre and dance and three sound sculptures.

“Hear no Evil/See no Evil/Speak no Evil” is a theatre piece about the genocide that happened in Residential Schools.  “Hear no Evil/See no Evil/Speak no Evil” shows how the Aboriginal culture and language was taken from the students that attended these schools and how it tore them apart emotionally.


Walls of Darkness Sound Sculpture 
A three piece sound sculpture that depicts the sounds of ‘fear’, ‘helplessness’ and ‘Sorrow’.

“Women and War” is a contemporary dance about the parallel journey of two women through a time of conflict and isolation that represents women’s struggles throughout history. It is an interpretation of what women go through emotionally in times of conflict, such as war, poverty, and violence. The piece also interprets how strength is found in other women who have had the same experience and together are able to believe and search for tomorrow.

La Gritona Paintings

A series of vibrant and powerful paintings express the youth’s sorrows and hopes  for the world. 

The Points of View Sculpture

This mixed media sculpture (almost human in form) explores different points of view about the same issue (both are true).  The sculpture highlights key issues of concern to the group – poverty, war, violence and discrimination.  These are explored from both a local and international perspective.    

The Well (of Hope)

A point of departure from the tunnels of darkness, “The Well” is located in the centre of the installation and is a still point where the viewer is invited to reflect and go inward.  Symbolizing the transformative journey one takes to find light in the darkness and within oneself in order to have strength to help bring peace to the world.  

The Footcasts

Nine different foot casts placed at different points along the journey ask the question: “What does it mean to stand in someone else’s shoes?” 

The Wall of Hope - sculpture, sound, video 

The Wall of Hope is a 6’ft by 7’ two-sided sculpture.  On one side there is a wall of holes where visitors can write and place their hopes for the world.  On the back is a video projection – interviews with the youth involved in the project.  Suggesting that the real hope in the world is the youth who have the courage to come together to explore social issues and express their voice so poetically to the world. 






The Book

Placed on a tall stand built to the dimensions of the book itself, it includes a compliation of images and words by participants.

Mounting the Exhibit

A team of youth, artists, and parents worked together for four days to mount the exhibit at Metro Hall.  

Setting up the Walls of Darkness

Installing the Well

Mounting the Wall of Hope

Transportation

Video Documentation

The Opening

The exhibit opened on July 14th to a crowd of over 200 people.  

Remarks

Walls of Hope Artists

Youth Artists & Mentors 

Mateo Henao

Luis Molins

Axel Ramos

Melissa Mora

Alanna Wener

Lyla Fern-Weinbren

Angel Pereza

Jessica Grifone

Adib (Shaan) Tanbir

Samantha McClean

Rachel Karstadt

Karla Lisette Menjivar

Lisa Rocca Roriguez

Cindy Menjivar

Kateryna Shpir

Shaneece Manitowabi

Sheyenne Squires

Heather Soloman- Easton

Vivian-Sofia Mora

Samantha Vite

Irma Villa Fuerte

Diana Pereza

Kai’enne Tymerik

Lilia Leon-Dryden

Apprentices

Jessica Wilde (21)  (De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group)

Barry Beaver (34)  (De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group)

Rosa Mindreau (25)

Chelsee Hennebury (24)

Guest Facilitators

Cecilia Alejo (Centre for Spanish Speaking Peoples)

Memo Cabrera (Centre for Spanish Speaking Peoples)

Tammy Schwanda (Native Child and Family Services)

Josh Peltier (De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group)

Volunteers

Laurie Korneluk

Phillip Dixon

Jamie Roy

Noreen Joshua

Rebekah Blok 

Artist Facilitators

International

Claudia Bernardi (artistic director)

Koruna Biswas Schmidtmumm (visual arts & foodie)

Local

Julie Jarvis (producer/director)

Erick Portillo (photography & foodie)

Artistic/Technical Facilitators & Advisors

Sheila Dietrich (AGO chief technician)

Michael O'Connell (music & sound design)

Margot Whitfield (AGO technician)

Lindsay Smail (photographer & print design)

Jan Mackie (artistic & technical advisor)

 Youth Advisory Group

Samantha Vite (Phoenix Community Works Foundation)

Kateyrna Shpir (AGO Youth Advisory Council)

Lisa Rocca   (AGO Gallery School)

Rachel Karstadt (AGO Gallery School)

Samantha McLean (Delisle Youth Services)

(Adib) Shaan Tanbir (AGO Youth Advsiory Council)