Artmosphere
Perched 113 storeys above Toronto, Artmosphere is an immersive, interactive art showcase, and the centerpiece of the CN Tower’s Lower Observation Level.
Artmosphere’s expansive, state-of-the-art video walls feature animated visual representations of original works by a collective of Canadian artists, including Indigenous artists from across the country.
The experience is free for CN Tower ticket holders.
SPRING Series
Visual
“Salish Sun” by Dylan Thomas
From the artist: The sun has been an important figure in Salish art and legends for thousands of years, and sun imagery is found in various ancient Salish artworks, such as spindle whorls and rattles. For this project, the sun represents the ability of Salish art to continually transform, evolve, and expand into new creative territories – such as animated projections.
About the artist: Dylan Thomas (Qwul’thilum) is a Coast Salish artist and member of the Lyackson First Nation (Valdes Island), but also has heritage from the Songhees, Squamish, and Snuneymuxw Nations. Dylan’s early experiences with Salish art ignited a lifelong passion for the art form – and, eventually, led him to seek guidance from established artists. Dylan was just awarded the 2022 Fulmer Award in First Nations Art.
“Raven Speak” by Margaret August
From the artist: Raven medicine is symbolized by their ability to travel between earth and the spirit world. They can be best described as a trickster figure amongst the coastal Indigenous people in the Pacific Northwest coast, in British Columbia. Ravens, also, give you courage to walk through darkness of the void. Raven is the messenger. If Raven has appeared, you are about to experience a change in consciousness. Raven is the messenger that carries all energy flows of ceremonial magic between the ceremony itself and the intended destination.
About the artist: Margaret is a Two-Spirited, Coast Salish artist from shíshálh Nation. Margaret was born in 1983 in the traditional unceded Lkwungen and W̱ SÁNEĆ territories, now referred to as Victoria B.C. Margaret’s work is inspired by their traditional teachings and encounters with nature.
“Kakwité:ne Nikahá:wi” by Semiah Smith
From the artist: "Kakwité:ne Nikahá"wi" a Mohawk translation for Spring, is the only language that could be heard in the song. Inspired by traditional songs from Semiah's Onkwehonwe heritage, the artist sang the phrase on a similar repeated vocable progression. The base melody was further broken down with the artist’s own experimentation, creating complex vocal riffs that complement the harmony within the music.
About the artist: Semiah is a Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) singer/songwriter from Six Nations, Ontario. She began professionally singing traditional music from her Haudenosaunee heritage in her late teens in solo performances and as a member of the singing trio, Hatiyo (the good voice). Currently, Semiah is honing her craft as a singer, songwriter, and artist while preparing for an EP release.
Audio
“Circular Landscapes” composed by Alejandro Basulto
About the work: “Circular Landscapes” is an orchestral suite divided into four movements. The work was composed as a companion for Artmosphere and draws inspiration from the unique visual works, the magnificent CN Tower architecture, and Canada’s iconic seasonal landscapes.
About the artist: Alejandro Basulto is a Mexican award-winning composer and orchestral conductor. His music is characterized by a profound Latin-American identity, a vibrant integration of contemporary popular culture, a continuous exploration of diverse techniques and the use of new narrative approaches.
Curation and Production
The curators, producers and animators of Artmosphere are Pedro Narváez and Emma López.
Their company, the Toronto-based AVA Animation and Visual Arts Inc., is an animation studio that specializes in projection mapping and creating extraordinary visual experiences with technology, creativity and emotion.
The animated and interactive original artworks currently featured in Artmosphere represent one part of a four-part seasonally themed audio-visual experience conceived and directed by AVA. Since 2010, AVA has specialized in projection mapping techniques achieving several international awards, as well as permanent installations in Mexico and Japan.
Interactivity by WORKSOFAR.
