Terrarium is a 21-minute immersive installation that explores positive and viable pathways to heal socio-ecological environments. It combines film, performing arts, sound and spatial design.
PROCESS AS IMPACT
In Terrarium, the process is as relevant as the resulting artwork. Therefore, it is essential to create a thriving creative environment that is multicultural, gender-balanced, and eco-responsible. I have curated a team of core collaborators that personify these values.
Terrarium is the Terra Sapiens Studio’s first major project. Beyond the beautiful images and experiences, the true artwork is the creation of a team and process. They became a microcosm for implementing the guiding principles essential for the healing of socio-ecological environments. This value framework includes compassion, community building, empathy, gender, economic and cultural equity, integration of a plurality of visions and circularity.
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On that matter, Damian Siqueiros, Founder and Creative Director :
“I've realized that the most impactful elements of my art were the relational aspect (of the process and with the audience) and the powerful narratives developed through empathic listening. Terrarium aims to provoke the necessary cultural shifts for socio-ecological regeneration through visual storytelling. The project achieves these shifts by substituting old narratives with positive representations of the future, a radical act of imagination, hope and creation.”
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The immersive approach is essential to create emotional engagement and long-lasting impact. A lounge-like space design helps prime the audience for a positive contemplative experience.
The sound design comprises original music and curation of intervened natural sounds, adding non-human voices to the installation. Instead of sitting through the experience, I want the audience to inhabit a space that offers a realistic sense of purpose rather than a narrow doomsday depiction of the future.
Plurality through archetypes
Each of the characters in Terrarium is a seedling of exploration of challenges and solutions of socio-ecological environments from a plurality of perspectives.
These interwoven visions suggest that the best solutions come from a convergence of universal principles such as circularity and a symbiotic relationship with nature; and ideas that come from assessing the needs of local human and non-human communities through collaborative listening.
Terrarium presents seven meticulously interwoven narratives projected on a modular multi-screen platform adaptable to each space in which it is presented. This format highlights the importance of harmonious integration of plural visions to create inclusive narratives for a healthy and resilient social ecology.
The use of archetypal representations allows us to approach topics in both a topical and in a universal way.
We believe that the most effective solutions must a convergence of geographically specific and temporary and global initiatives.
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![LIFE]()
LIFE
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Life (Concept)
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COSMOLOGY
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Cosmology (Concept)
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FUTURE PATH
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Future Path (Concept)
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LOVE
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LOVE (Concept)
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EMPATHY SYMBIOSIS
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Empathy Symbiosis (Concept)
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ANCIENT WISDOM
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Ancient Wisdom (Concept)
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![Death and Regeneration]()
Death & Regeneration
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Death & Regeneration (Concept)
Sustainable Creation
Social
A) Developing adapted strategies for artist and collaborator care
B) Creating pathways for harmonious and open communication
C) Ensuring gender, age and cultural equity through non-hierarchical representation and interwoven perspectives
D) Fostering participatory and creative self-reliance
E) Sharing ownership of intellectual property
F) Creating tailored roles for the growth of each artist.
Ecological
A) Reducing travel distances, using public transport and human-powered means of transportation.
B) Procuring energy efficiency: sourcing from green energy, reducing data storage, etc.
C) Minimizing the need for off-setting to achieve carbon neutrality
D) Reducing waste in the production process: Eliminating single-use materials, using compostable plastics, and preserving materials for future productions.
E) Using upcycled, recycled and vegan materials
F) Serving vegan catering (more than 100 meals)
Ecological information
Resources
You’re a museum, journalist or just want to know more about the project? Find out more by downloading the following documents.
Calendar
Past events
April 22, 2023 | Age of union
Launch
6 pm to 10 pm
Terrarium LAUNCH
Be among the first to discover our immersive artwork.
With speeches from
Damian Siqueiros (Founder & Creative Director)
Dax Dasilva (Founder of Age of Union)
Ongoing
Event passed
April 29, 2023 | Age of union
Free Visit
1 pm to 6 pm
Conference
2 pm to 3:30 pm
Terrarium: art for socio-ecological healing
Implementing positive cultural shifts through empathic storytelling, sustainable creative processes and impactful artwork.
Speakers
Bernardo Alvarado Rojas (Composer)
Natalia Baquero (Costume Design)
Moderator
Damian Siqueiros (Founder & Creative Director)
90 minutes (questions included)
Followed by commented visit with Damian Siqueiros
and Pascal Champagne (Installation Designer and Creative Technologist)
May 20, 2023 | Age of union
Free Visit
1 pm to 6 pm
Conference
2 pm to 3:30 pm
Multiscopic collaborations: Paths for the harmonious integration of plural visions in creative processes
Exploring processes for horizontal and participative collaborations. Identifying responsible and empathic collaborative practices for decolonizing artistic methodologies.
Speakers
Claudia Chan Tak (Dancer)
Ossie Michelin (Cultural Manager, in video)
Mariya Moneva (Cultural Manager)
Moderator
Damian Siqueiros (Founder & Creative Director)
90 minutes (questions included)
Followed by commented visit with Damian Siqueiros
June 17, 2023 | Age of union
Free Visit
1 pm to 6 pm
Conference
2 pm to 3:30 pm
Conference Art and Science: interview with Elena BenneTt and David Grinspoon
An exploration of the scientific inspirations for Terrarium: the historical perspective of climate change, the scientific initiatives to confront it and theorization of possible positive futures.
Speakers
Elena Bennett (Canada Research Chair (Tier I) in Sustainability Science)
David Grinspoon (Astrobiologist)
Moderator
Damian Siqueiros (Founder & Creative Director)
90 minutes (questions included)
Followed by commented visit with Damian Siqueiros
August 19, 2023 | Age of union
Free Visit
1 pm to 6 pm
Conference
2 pm to 3:30 pm
The body as a tool for impact: Anthropology of the body and Conflict resolution through the arts
What is the power of art in creating impactful positive change: exploring how artists use their body and their medium to engage and affect their environment.
Speakers
Margie Gillis (Choreographer & Dancer)
Mariette Raina (Researcher & Dancer)
Moderator
Damian Siqueiros (Founder & Creative Director)
90 minutes (questions included)
Followed by commented visit with Damian Siqueiros
“The wellbeing of our environment is a fundamental right. Without a stable, safe climate, people cannot exercise their economic, social or cultural rights.”
— Sheila Watts Cloutier
