Can you hear the music?
Last year Yuma Hester(
@malifiscent ) from
@bawaadan and I were commissioned by Fort York and
@tohistorymuseums to engage with Toronto’s history and reimagine the Red Coats for a large public installation.
Approaching this project collaboratively, we chose water as the stage we would bring our stories to, thinking specifically about the exhibition site itself once being underwater.
Over a few months of research and site visits, one thing stood out to me most. Within Fort York’s history dating back to 1810 was the presence of the Black Militia and the Royal African Corps. Men of African descent who served, both voluntarily and involuntarily, as soldiers and musicians. Two such men were Charles Faulkner and George Powell, of which the latter spent nearly two decades in service.
I found myself quite drawn to these stories, reflecting on the legacy of sound and cultural inheritances that outlasted violence and displacement.
Actually bringing this idea to life was a whole other endeavour. The running joke of the project was that I didn’t know how to swim, and what started out as an ambitious idea quickly turned into confronting a lifelong fear from nearly drowning as a child.
It would have been impossible without the patience and support of the team but specifically
@aquariusscuba &
@malifiscent without whom I wouldn’t have been brave enough to get in the water and who stepped in when I struggled most.
Can you hear the music?
Models: Kazandu Palmer (
@kazpalmer ), Rudy Ray Kwaku (
@rudyraykwaku )
Costume Design: Kayla Bullen (
@kaybullen ) , Sydné Barnes-Wright (
@ethrltoether )
Prop Design: Ariam Eqbe (
@ariameqbe )
Production & Photo Assist: Loanne II Tran (
@loanneiitran ),
Photo Assist: Kaku Tumi (
@kakutumi ), Ladi Adekioya (
@ladiadekioya )
Lighting & Underwater BTS: David Grif (
@neon_criminal )
Underwater Safety Diving: Aquarius Scuba Shop (
@aquariusscuba )
![S.A.T.T by Sydné B. Wright @ethrltoether | Part 01-chew Magazine & @sixteeneleven.studios Presents: “If Yu Nah Hear, Yu Guh Feel” | In collaboration with Multi-Disciplinary Designers & Artists: Sydné B. Wright & Mathias Dowers | Music: @bimbo.radio—“My artistic practice is deeply rootedin symbolism and draws inspirationfrom Solange Knowles’ album “A Seatat the Table.” Through my work, I aimto delve into the complex themes ofidentity and representation, payinghomage to my diasporic lineageand fostering a connection to myCaribbean heritage. In creatingmy collection, it was of utmostimportance for me to consider howviewers would engage with andinteract within the space. Thus,I have conceptualized S.A.T.T, amodular seating furniture that notonly provides comfort but also servesas a platform for communal activities,encouraging shared experiences andcollective engagement.”—S.A.T.T. [SEAT AT THE TABLE]INTERIOR DESIGN | 2024 | 36” X 30” X 20”DIMENSIONS AS CHAIR + TABLE: 36” X 30” X 20”CUSHIONS: [2 ] PCS 36” X 30” X 10” , [1]PC 36” X 16” X 10”, [1]PC 16” X 16” X 10” @ethrltoether](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6768692770322055516811_0_4a042f8fb15d224d5175e9427654b4b7.jpg?o=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&h=2c3eb17e8a0e55b8796523c729c9e8a5)
