Travelling art exhibit on water justice comes to Western U
An international art exhibit focusing on water justice is coming to Western University this week.
A travelling exhibit called “Confluency” is making its first stop at the John Labatt Visual Arts Centre on campus. The focus is on water justice, an issue linked to climate change and accessibility to clean water.
The exhibit began in South Africa, but Lesley Gittings, assistant professor in the School of Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences at Western, helped coordinate the exhibit and is part of its research team.
“The idea behind the exhibition was to bring together academics, activists, and artists around the key issue of water justice which is an issue all over the world,” said Gittings. “A second objective is to make art accessible and to invite people into the exhibition in interactive ways.”
The exhibit is part of Western’s Riverfest, which is co-organized by the Indigenous Students’ Association, Indigenous Student Centre, and Western’s Sustainability office, which runs from September 9 to October 3.
Londoners are invited to interact with sculptures, videos, poetry, and more aspects within the exhibit.
On Friday, Gittings spoke of an art piece in the gallery that shows a water journey in South Africa as understood by different communities outside Cape Town.
“It's important because Cape Town was the world’s first major city to almost run out of water, so that brought up a lot of thought around issues of drought and water justice because people who were the most protected from the drought were those with the most access to resources,” she explained. “Poorer folks and racialized folks had the least amount of access.”
This is Western’s second year hosting Riverfest, a month-long series of events taking place on campus.
“It’s focused on building connections with the campus community and the river and the natural heritage on campus,” said Jessica Cordes, an engagement coordinator with Western’s Office of Sustainability.
“Our university is situated in the Carolinian life zone, which is one of the most bio-diverse regions in all of Canada. With the Thames River flowing through campus, we think it's important to create places and opportunities for our campus to connect,” said Cordes.
Speaking to the importance of water and accessibility to clean water, Ashley Kewayosh Samuel, student opportunities coordinator with the Indigenous Student Centre said,
“It gives us so much, it gives us our life. We can’t live without clean water, so this is an extension, it shows that all around the world people are doing that work. It's amazing to bring that here,”
Events for Riverfest can be found on the university’s Sustainability Office website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.