The Creative School’s Innovation Studio lights up Nuit Blanche
Nuit Blanche, Toronto’s annual free all-night contemporary art event, filled the streets with more than 80 contemporary art projects created by hundreds of artists on September 23. The Creative School’s Innovation Studio joined the ranks of the city’s premier venues that host Nuit Blanche – such as the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and Nathan Phillips Square – showcasing the work of a Creative School PhD student, Stephen Severn, as well as a pioneering artist collective.
Attendees in the 100-metre queue to view the installations
Leading part of a city-wide art exhibition
This year’s theme, “Breaking Ground”, explored ideas related to nature and social justice including themes of climate change, land stewardship and urban development. As a champion of social innovation and impact within the creative fields, The Creative School’s Innovation Studio naturally became a front contender to host programming for Nuit Blanche. Located at 110 Bond St., the transdisciplinary hub connects emerging and established makers, artists, technologists, entrepreneurs, researchers and academics, in a collaborative community devoted to creative exploration and entrepreneurship.
The Innovation Studio's partnership with Nuit Blanche was driven by Member Services Coordinator Angelique Bowen-Achong, and Studio Co-Director Ashley Lewis.
“The space was alive with energy and excitement throughout the night, and it was incredible to host these talented artists whose work celebrated queer joy and immersive multimedia,” said Angelique Bowen-Achong. “Being part of Nuit Blanche, which has a long history of celebrating art, culture, and exploration, is a wonderful opportunity. It allows for the challenging of the status quo and the promotion of innovative and thought-provoking artistic expressions. It's great to see such dedication to fostering creativity and cultural experiences in the community."
David Gauntlett, Canada Research Chair and Director of The Innovation Studio, noted the energetic nature of the event and the importance of The Creative School collaborating with Nuit Blanche.
"Partnering with the city on Nuit Blanche is really important to us, because of course we want The Creative School to be on everyone's map as the heart of creativity in Toronto,” he said. “Having thousands of people queue to come through our doors was such a thrill!"
Art as refusal, resistance and joy
Media and Design Innovation Ph.D. student Stephen Severn showcased a remarkable installation titled “Forticulture,” where transphobic and anti-LGBTQ+ articles were transformed into brightly coloured plants, representing queer joy.
“Forticulture” by Stephen Severn
“This year’s theme ‘breaking ground’ was the perfect venue as the plants are breaking through a ground of queerphobic rhetorical fallacy to centre queer joy as methods of refusal and resistance,” Severn said. “It was a great experience working with The Innovation Studio’s staff to bring my piece together, and it was inspiring to witness the camaraderie that evening and how included I felt in the TMU community.”
“Crack in the Case” by Elsewhere Collective
In the HQ venue space, the Innovation Studio also hosted “Crack in the Case” by Elsewhere Collective (external link, opens in new window) , an immersive multimedia installation using projections, sheer ribbons, frames, portals and mirrors. The immersive projections and reflections allowed audiences to explore concepts of framing and dialogue through a poetic lens.
Fostering creativity and entrepreneurship year-round
The Innovation Studio draws artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs throughout the year with its unique and diverse programming. Home to three incubation zones in transmedia, fashion and design fabrication and many initiatives that link the industry to academia, it fosters an ideal setting for collaborations and mentorship.
From career days and mentorship sessions to a summer creativity camp (external link, opens in new window) for adults, the Innovation Studio aims to bring accessible depictions of creative entrepreneurship to students, bridging the gap between the industry and the university.
Visit their website (opens in new window) to learn more about The Innovation Studio at The Creative School.
The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.