Bridging Distance Through Art

By Alejandra Jimenez

"We Remembered You, Too". Artistic installation by Third Diganta Collective with Sandy Hudson, Ziyan Hossain and Plini. Harbour Square Park, Nuit Blanche Toronto. Photo taken by Alejandra Jimenez.

Bridging Distance was the year's theme for the Nuit Blanche Toronto, which sought, according to Artistic Director Laura Nanni, to invite audiences to explore ways they experience and perceive distance and reconnect them to the city and community through art.

"How can art bring us closer to the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of those outside our geographic, social, and political realms? The theme came about because we find ourselves in a moment when the distance and difference between people seems significant", said Laura Nanni in an interview conducted by CBC.

Rebuilding community and working towards an interdependent and interconnected future with all beings and different cultures is a task and experience that is possible through art. In an interview conducted with one of the event organizers, the multidisciplinary artist Sedina Fiati highlighted the need to bridge those distances more harmoniously and generously to confront the individualism, racism, and polarization that divide and govern societies' visions.

"We must acknowledge and understand everyone's humanity," she said.

The power of art to overcome distances is crucial, as it is through art that social justice, activism, sensitivity, commitment, awareness, and collectivity can be applied. Fiati states, "Art opens the space in people's hearts to see things differently."

The event was opened by Elder Duke Redbird, from Saugeen First Nation, who shared his perspectives on environment, art, and humanity. In an interview with him about how art relates to daily life and how it contributes to bridging distance, he said:

"The earth is art. Everything in the universe was created, and that is art. Art is an agreement by human beings on how the universe has been so propagating self-fertilizing in every way, and it comes up with a beautiful flower that is the extreme art of life. So, art is the heartbeat. Art is the consciousness, manner, and things we do: creativity, invention, and innovation. Besides, ART is written in the word EARTH. Art is the center of Earth".

Nuit Blanche Toronto has produced over 100 artworks and performances created by local, national, and international artists. These were placed in different parts of the city, mainly at the Waterfront, Humber Polytechnic Lakeshore, West Queen West, Kensington, and Wellington Place. It was an event where people had a unique experience exploring the theme of Bridging Distance, which they learned about, while also connecting with their public space, nature, culture, and community.

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