Voices

Voices is an immersive exhibition that explores the complexities of migration, drawing parallels between the journeys of Calgary's immigrant community and the vast migrations of humpback whales. These whales are known for their extensive, arduous migrations, covering 16,000 kilometers annually. This metaphor highlights both the physical and emotional distances traversed and the resilience and adaptability of both immigrants and these majestic marine giants.

The installation presents firsthand narratives from Calgary's immigrant community, transmitted through eight ceiling-hung speakers. These heartfelt personal testimonies, rich with dreams, aspirations, and family bonds, are interwoven with an original surround sound composition, forming a 'sonic constellation' that echoes the complex communication patterns of humpback whales. Enhancing the soundscape, hand-drawn animations are projected onto the walls, depicting poignant and reflective moments. These illustrations capture the intersecting paths, challenges, and transformative experiences of relocation and adaptation – a shared journey in the quest for belonging.

Voices aims to humanize the immigrant journey, shedding light on the complexities of fitting in, otherness, identity shifts, and imbalances inherent in migration. It addresses the intricate interplay of geographical, social, and linguistic boundaries – the challenge of being both unable to understand and be understood – that immigrants navigate.

Moreover, the project engages with the pressing contemporary debates on migration, heightened by the urgency of refugee crises and the increasing impacts of climate change on displacement. As many Western countries gravitate towards isolationist policies, often overlooking the privilege of mobility, Voices shines a critical light on the power disparities caused by international boundaries. This exhibition explores the unseen lines that dictate our lives, the significance of finding stillness amidst movement, and the constant effort to construct and reconstruct one’s sense of self and space.

Voices aspires to bridge gaps in understanding, fostering empathy and deeper comprehension. The project seeks to make the world feel a little smaller, boundaries blurrier, and inspire conversations for meaningful connections. This exhibition invites spectators to explore the ongoing quest to define and redefine identity and home, reminding us that we are all in search of our unique frequency in a vast, moving world.

EXHIBITION HISTORY:

January 12 - February 24, 2024
EMMEDIA’s gallery
Calgary, Canada

Featured in Akimbo Art Blog

CREDITS

Testimonies: Marta, Boban, Toyin, Mateo, Bianca, Jensen, Milagros, Emma

Direction and Concept: Laura Anzola

Narrative Structure: Bibiana Rojas, Carolina Lucio, Laura Anzola

Sound: Carolina Lucio

Music: Nicolás Eckardt

Interviews Editor: Bibiana Rojas

Animation: Cristina Franco, Andrea Muñoz, Diego Felipe Cortés, Bibiana Rojas, Laura Anzola

Graphic Design: Ana Lucía Delgadillo

Technical Coordinator: Matthew Waddell

Hermanager: Irene Anzola

Photo Documentation: Caitlind Brown

Special thanks to Kadra, Janira and Joe at Emmedia | Caitlin Thompson and Doug Williamson | BigArt

This project has been assisted by the Province of Alberta through Alberta Foundation for the Arts, its arts funding agency and through Calgary Arts Development.