2010 2008 2007 2006

2010 Commissions

This year's Fresh Ground new works commissions aim to be a catalyst for the creation of stimulating new multidisciplinary arts experiences intended specifically for children and youth. The projects not only involve, stimulate, entice, intrigue and engage young people with the arts, but also reflect the diversity of Canadian youth.

Museum of Indulgence Presented November 11-December 4, 2011 Museum of Indulgence is a multi-media project that explores the stereotypes and consumer culture of hip hop in an exhibition reminiscent of natural history museums. Dioramas come to life with in-house rap shows, an interactive recording studio and a whole new take on the term "consumer culture."

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Ideas of CanadaPresented June 18-September 25, 2011
& April 21-July 15, 2012 A multidisciplinary inquiry into contemporary and emergent ideas of Canada combined with a youth-led creative lab designed to develop alternative public forms of expressing and questioning concepts of national identity.

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Everything Under the Moon Presented as part of World Stage 2012
In association with The Power Plant
February 18-23, 2012 Everything Under the Moon follows two small, winged creatures as they set out together on an urgent quest to save themselves. Collaborators Shary Boyle (a Toronto-based visual and performance artist) and Christine Fellows (a Winnipeg-based songwriter and performer) re-imagine the concept of the old-time shadow play. Using simple, analog tools – overhead projector and acoustic instrumentation – they create a fantastical narrative for the whole family, told through hand-animated projected image and song

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Enter the Shadow Presented as part of NextSteps
November 24-27, 2011 Through hip hop we express our need to create and to be strong in a world that will tell you that your worth is nothing. This is the b-boy story.

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Monster MakersPresented October 13-16, 2011
in the Brigantine Room
235 Queens Quay West Explore the perils of success and the freedom of failure in Monster Makers, a charmingly inventive new participatory work for children and adults. The Sad Scientist just can’t get his monster to be monstrous. He needs help from the real experts: the kids.

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2008 Commissions

Neighbourhood Diaries: Stories from where I liveSpring 2010 Neighbourhood Diaries: Stories from where I live is a social networking process toward a writing-tutoring centre for children.

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voice-box November 2010 voice-box showcases some of Canada's top vocal performers and draws upon vocal techniques ranging from scat-singing to throat-singing.

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Too Cool For School

Art & Science Fair and Exhibition

Spring & Fall 2010 Too Cool For School, Art & Science Fair and Exhibition is a project encouraging creative amateur exploration into both art and science.

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PHOTOG Fall 2010 PHOTOG examines the life of a photographer who wrestles with his reality of standing behind the lens, instead of in front of it.

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Haida Made: New Collaborations in DesignFall 2010 Haida Made: New Collaborations in Design is an exhibition that will balance the traditions of First Nations with forward-looking design solutions to develop new methods that respect and elevate local traditions.

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2007 Commissions

FishNet: The Great Lakes Craft and Release Project January – June 2008A popular mnemonic device for teaching school-age children the names of the great lakes is HOMES for Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior. But if the notion of home is the very exemplar of the familiar and the valued, how ironic that we are so unfamiliar with the lake's life-processes and, by implication, put so little value on them. What's in the lake? How often have those of us living next to Lake Ontario or to any of North America's other “great inland seas” considered the question?

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Blue Note September 2008 Blue Note tells a story about a group of individuals who come together to sing, and explores site-specific staging and an interactive audience/performer relationship.

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Dance MarathonFebruary 2009 Dance Marathon looks at contemporary issues such as physical and psychological endurance, interpersonal competition and intimacy.

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AfterImageApril 2009 AfterImage showcases an eight person multitasking chorus cast playing 21 characters, singing the score, and manipulating a large copper wire set that illuminates with electrified sparks

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2006 Commissions

The Terrarium ProjectMay – July 2006 A series of art installations which explores the role of museums in representing stories and artifacts and constructing reality.

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Fifteen Restless NightsSeptember – November 2006 A series of art installations which explores the role of museums in representing stories and artifacts and constructing reality.

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StaticMarch – April 2007 A performance, installation and experiential look at man's deepest fears and living life to the fullest.

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Bridge of One Hair April 2007A community art project originating in central Etobicoke which uses the rituals and objects of tea drinking, storytelling, music, text and imagery to bridge diverse communities.

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Trudeau: Long March / Shining PathProject Lead: George Elliott Clarke, librettist
Collaborator: D.D. Jackson, composerApril 2007 A contemporary opera based on the life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau including a mixing of elements of Cuban, Chinese, contemporary classical and jazz music.

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To date, a generous group of visionary donors have supported the creation of 19 new commissions. We would like to thank the following supporters of the Fresh Ground new works commissioning programme for their leadership and continued support of artists: Peter Allen, William J. S. Boyle, Lionel F. Conacher and Joan Dea, Margaret and Jim Fleck, Michael and Sonja Koerner, Judy and Wil Matthews, George E. Myhal, Sonja Smits and Seaton McLean; and grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and the J.P. Bickell Foundation.