Art and Exhibitions

In "Hot Spot" we juxtapose local imagery with scenes of ecological destruction to draw your attention to the ongoing climate crisis. Specifically, we address recent wildfires and the associated air quality concerns that have impacted the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. To achieve this, we transplant trees from the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens and Harmony Creek Trail, intricately weaving them with the Tribute Communities Centre, a prominent entertainment hub in downtown Oshawa. These locally inspired elements introduce a sense of familiarity to the artwork, serving as a stark reminder that these environmental challenges are unfolding right in our own communities.

Merging physical and digital components creates an immersive storytelling platform. At first glance, the mural presents a peaceful autumn scene in the city. However, when you interact with A.R. (augmented reality), a transformation takes place. The mural enters a 3-D digital realm, unveiling burnt trees and smoldering ashes that drastically alter the piece's mood and meaning. This shift turns Hot Spot from a place-to-be into a symbol of urgency, encouraging you to contemplate fleeing from the very ground you were initially drawn to. By exposing you to the effects of climate change in your own backyard, Hot Spot aims to spark conversation and inspire positive change.

Artist Statement

Shackleton and Brown combine 3-D augmented reality (A.R.) with 2-D painting to transport viewers into imagined future urbanscapes where cities and nature have become entangled. The scenes depicted walk the line between utopian vision and full-blown apocalypse. Humans are conspicuously absent, which creates a tension that provokes thought for viewers.

Shackleton applies paint with squeeze bottles, manipulating falling drips with water spritzers and by rotating the canvas. Natural forms emerge out of this organic paint application echoing how gravity and rain erosion actually create environments. In contrast, her urban imagery uses dripping paint to create straight lines. These are built up with architectural precision using rulers and levels as tools.

Brown uses A.R. to superimpose digitally rendered sculptural elements onto the real world. This results in illusions of three dimensions that viewers can traverse and explore using a mobile device. As such, audiences can enter the artwork and, in doing so, introduce the missing human presence into the scene. Some viewers feel the urge to play and interact within this digital world, while others become anxious when the climate emergency extends into their perceptual space.