 Hi, art lovers! | | |  | CBC Arts | | | It’s a show featuring gorgeous animation, poetry and a whole lot of imagination. Dreams in Vantablack is a new CBC Arts project that is now streaming on CBC Gem, and as series director Ian Keteku writes in this introductory essay, the show had a three-year journey to the screen, one that’s ultimately assembled 12 Black youth poets — some who are still in elementary school. Through poetry, the young artists reflect on the subjects that matter to them. There are stories about mental health, climate change, colourism, bullying — even self-help (from the perspective of a nine-year-old). Ian recently spoke to Q about the project and he was joined on the program by one of the show’s featured poets, Libin Ahmed. And if you’re curious about that title — what is Vantablack anyway? — please refer to this episode of Art 101.
I’m going to throw to a load of pretty pictures as per usual, but before I do, I just want to assure you that, yes, you are absolutely reading this email a whole day early. (Who’s relieved they didn’t sleep through Saturday?) The team’s been going hard on preview coverage of Nuit Blanche Toronto, which is back in full force for the first time since 2019. Pre-pandemic, the event drew more than one million people every year, and if you’re going to be one of them tonight, we didn’t want you to miss our insider tips. | | | | | And because we promised you eye candy ... | | |  | Whyishnave Suthagar | Among those must-see picks? A new project from Whyishnave Suthagar. The GTA artist uses projection, light design and woven thread to create sizzling installations like this one. | | | | |  | Jonathan Green | | There is so much happening at Nuit Blanche Toronto, but of all the projects — and there are more than 150! — none of them feature a forest of wavy inflatable car-wash dudes. Leave that to Winnipeg! That city’s version of Nuit Blanche happened last Saturday. Here’s a photo of Fire Cycle, an installation by artist Jonathan Green. | | | | |  | Kami Goertz | | More from Nuit Blanche Winnipeg: local textile artist Kami Goertz (previously seen here) cultivated these neon mushrooms for a window installation. | | | | |  | Princess Hidir | | So … this isn’t Nuit-related content, but I wanted to keep the black-light poster vibes going, OK? Sci-fi dreamscape by Princess Hidir. | | | | |  | City of Toronto | | | | | It’s back, Toronto! Want to know the most Instagram-friendly spots? Just need something to do with the kids? Before you hit the streets tonight, bookmark these must-see projects. | | | | |  | City of Toronto | | | | | It’s one of the most exciting things that you’ll find at Nuit Blanche Toronto, a skateboard plaza in the middle of Yonge-Dundas Square. Artist Mark Igloliorte told us all about his vision. | | | | |  | Aaron Leon/City of Toronto | | | | | | | Saskatoon artist Cheryl L’Hirondelle is bringing Indigenous poets, dancers and musicians together for this interactive Nuit Blanche project. It’ll be open to the public through Oct. 10. | | |  | Julius Campbell | | The Dreams in Vantablack team tapped this Toronto artist to animate a poem called Astronaut. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to understand why. His feed is packed with rad sci-fi character designs. | | | | | Share this newsletter | | or subscribe if this was
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I’m Leah Collins, senior writer at CBC Arts. Until next time! | | | | | |
