More-than-human Illuminations
This project illuminates the co-creative abilities of non-humans. From them, I've gained inspiration, knowledge and materials to create visual artworks in natural spaces. The visual artworks are constructed with non-humans, and with assistance from my students, Gayathri Mavila and Emma Parsons (Laurier). Without harm to the environment, the art pieces are left in place on rare's River Trail for visitors to engage with from October 15 to November 15, 2025. The process of making and installing these artworks was recorded in narrated videos or "accessible workshops" and will be made freely available to the community in December of 2025, on YouTube and this website. The videos will provide some friendly instruction and inspiration for community members, to learn how to have their own co-creative experiences with non-humans in natural spaces. The purpose of this project is to illuminate the creative abilities of non-humans, to make the co-creative experience accessible to everyone, and to ultimately strengthen our relationships with nature.
This project was made possible by a grant from the Region of Waterloo's Art Fund and a partnership with the rare Charitable Research Reserve.
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01
Adorning Deadwood
Oversized friendship bracelets, made with ceramic beads and jute twine, adorn the decaying logs and deadwood. Tokens of our love and respect for the discarded beings that give their bodies to the soil of the forest.
02
Shed to Hum
An abstract oversized cicada husk constructed from chicken wire and plastic bubble wrap. Access the QR code hanging on the piece to experience the songs of transformed cicadas, recorded on rare's River Walk Trail during July of 2025.
03
Bryo Dwelling
Close observations and Indigenous knowledges informed this imagined highrise for moss and others. Constructed from a wooden fence post and unglazed scored ceramics, we look forward to watching this design change over time to become homes and a small community.
04
We Made This
An abstract oversized tent constructed from crocheted cotton dishcloths. This tent represents the kind of home and transformative space tent caterpillars construct to live in community before they depart to cocoon.
