Aaron Tan
"Hello World"
“Hello World” was based on the concept of addiction and ignorance. With this work, I wanted to reach the audience in a way that made them aware of the effect technology has had on our lives and the effects.
The beautiful landscape at a park in Calgary, Alberta is trapped within the constraints of a monitor. As opposed to stepping outside to see the truth of our world, the only form of nature we have been consuming is through the lens and filter of technology.
Coming away from this work, I want people to recognize what they are missing by experiencing nature through a screen, to break away from this mentality as a first step. The crack lines within the monitor with nature sprouting out of the virtual world highlights the problem to save us from this rabbit hole of addiction.
Adonia Li
The Story of Clouds
This frozen snow-covered lake was a place I have come to see each year during winter. It is a place I look forward to visiting. Each year, the views change ever so slightly, but they remain beautiful in their own unique ways. Through my piece I wanted to capture what I get to see and experience each year and show how much something can change over just a matter of hours or even over a period of years. When put together, the image builds a whole and reflects the continuity of time and its relationship with this land.
Elizabeth Daniel-Ayoade
symbiosis
The longer you look at something, the more you see. As someone whose glasses always seem to be one subscription behind, photographs are a way to capture a moment so that I can look back and see everything I missed the first time. I love photography because, for me, a camera can function as my eyes and give me the opportunity to really look and see. I believe everyone should respect photography for the same reason. Even those with 20-20 vision; when pushed forward by our quickly moving lifestyle can forget to take the time to look at the things they see. I want my photography to be something that people want to stop and look at, and keep looking.
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Gabriela Ribeiro da Silveira
Train Station
I have always been interested in the perspectives and worldviews of different cultures and people. Throughout my life, I have been surrounded by people from diverse backgrounds speaking different languages with various worldviews, thoughts, feelings and identities. Despite these differences, we still connected and related to each other on different levels, even if we did not have the same experiences. This is especially true since I come from a different background being a second-generation Canadian. Growing up, I never really had anyone who came from the same background I could relate to. As a result, I learned about and valued the aspects I had in common with other people and other cultures, which has affected my worldview and experiences. I realized how all of our different identities make up this land.
In my art, I wanted to capture people going about their day to present this idea. For me, this land is made up of people's diverse experiences, worldviews and identities. My work shows how we are all truly connected, regardless of our varied lives.
Jade LeBlanc
A City of Lost Faces and Blinding Light
I wanted to capture a feeling of loneliness and fear even in a crowded public space with beautiful surroundings. As a socially anxious person, I often find myself in such situations, feeling as if I'm in an empty room, with a sense of apprehension about those around me. I took inspiration from "A Silent Voice" where faces are obscured by X's, and from horror and dystopian movies and photographs that show bright, beautiful scenes. I hope to leave the viewer with the sense of a dystopia slowly emerging, and the feeling of unease or dread that can come from the "Uncanny Valley." All in all, I wanted to show that it's possible to feel a sense of danger and foreignness even surrounded by likely friendly people, all too lost in their own world to notice you.
Kiana Ahmadi
Geography
My work is an investigation into the impermanence of elements in our environment and how they can be overtaken and repurposed.
I have always been fascinated with the study of Human Geography; the study of spatial relationships between people and their environment. I feel that we are often defined by the spaces around us and the ways we interact with them; I used these concepts as my primary source of inspiration.
The history of spaces is vast and constantly changing, old and uninteresting spaces can be reinvigorated, while spaces of peace and nature can be reconstructed and paved over.
In developing my project, I explored images that I felt shed light upon how civilization has reconstructed various spaces: the negative effects on humans on the planet and the reinvigoration of spaces constructed purely for purpose. As I continued my work, I developed an understanding of the interconnections between humans and the environment, and how deep these connections go.
Leyla Karimov
Changes
My work highlights the drastic impact that humans have had on the natural world. By illustrating the immense contrast between the man-made and natural world, I hope this audience will take more consideration into their daily actions and the impact they have on the environment.
Mio Kuzin
The Places You Don't Look For
I have always been a very spontaneous artist — no matter the medium; I create when inspiration strikes. Hearing the theme for Incubator this year, I immediately knew I had to take my photo at one particular location. I also realized that my ideas would change, take shape and inspiration from there. I wanted to explore our relationship with the land through the intersection of urban and natural spaces. The development of the area is artificial but provides an opportunity for artists. Graffiti is expressive, spontaneous and influenced by the environment; it is literally shaped and must conform to the landscape it's created in. Graffiti generally exists in places you don’t seek out — under bridges, on walls, in tunnels, as opposed to natural spaces, especially inside the city. The surrounding area in the photo is an almost untouched forest space. I am not trying to deliver a specific message to the viewers through my work; instead, I prefer to leave it up to the viewer and their interpretation.
Stephanie Saunders
Seasons
Art for me has always been a way to capture and preserve what I love. Whether it be a family photo, a sketch of my dog—or in this case—my daily walk to school, I will always appreciate mediums which express the love in my life.
With that love in my mind, I had the idea to capture the passing seasons of the forest I walk through to get to school, paying tribute to the dynamic nature of something that has been such a steady figure in my life. The park is filled with entirely native plant species and supports an ecosystem of native grasses, trees, flowers, and animals, a beautiful showcase of the land I love.
When I imagine others viewing my work, I hope they are reminded to appreciate the natural beauty around us, and all the people and places where they have found love. Humanity is ever-changing, and it is important to honour the steadiness that arises when such changes are met with appreciation, rather than fear.
