Collaborating long distance has been standard practice for live performance designers including myself for many years, but nothing could have prepared me for the test of stamina we’ve all endured during this pandemic! During this past 18 months with the closing of all theatres across the country and around the world the opportunities for theatrical output have been halted and for many of us our artistic practices have suffered serious blows. The privilege to work on the development of Wonderpit's new production during this time has been such a joy and a true pleasure. From Zoom conversations to email exchanges we've built an entire visual world out of what feels at times like 'thin air'!
One of the most exciting aspects of this digital collaboration has been the opportunity to work with Rosemary Scanlon's amazing water colour art work. We began this collaboration through conversations which identified visual assets or elements which we felt were essential to the various scenes and the wordless storytelling which Wonderpit wanted to achieve. This list on paper was soon transformed by Rosemary's skill and creative spirit into tangible and stunning watercolour images which I was then able to assemble and composite into digital imagery we could use to project into the set designed by Andrew Phoenix. This textured, marvellous world is an ideal palette for the rich colour and dense visual imagery created with my compositions of Rosemary's original art work.
Coming north in the Spring is a prospect that fills me with excitement and joy, but until then this is one of the many artistic projects happening despite the pandemic that just goes to show- you can't keep us artists down!
~ T. Erin Gruber (she/her)
eringruberdesign@gmail.com
www.eringruber.com
ᐊᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (Amiskwacîwâskahikan)
I am currently located on Treaty 6 territory, the traditional lands of First Nations and Métis people.Edmonton (as it is known colonially) is and has been home to a diverse range of Indigenous nations and peoples, including the Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, Ojibway / Saulteaux / Anishinaabe, Tsuutʼina, Inuit, and many others.
Since time immemorial, this land has been a meeting place for this diverse range of Indigenous peoples, who have enriched this place with their histories, languages, and cultures. As a settler I have benefitted from Indigenous generosity, hospitality, and knowledge and for that I wish to express my gratitude.
Images credit: Watercolour paintings by Rosemary Scanlon, Composite Imagery by T. Erin Gruber