Lights On at the Stratford School

Three student projects from the Stratford School will be showcased at Lights On Stratford, an annual city-wide festival until January 19, 2025.

Students were tasked with creating interactive installations that prompt audiences to reflect on local, non-human activity across time. Han emphasized, “I wanted to think about the land acknowledgement as more than just this ceremonial thing we do.” The design process taught at the School begins with thorough research and early-stage presentations for feedback.

As part of this process, 12 student teams presented their prototype installations to a panel of representatives from Lights On, the City of Stratford, and the Stratford School. The top three selected to be on display are:

• A Living Entity: An interactive installation that animates the Avon River, highlighting its significance for Stratford's future.
• Nocturnal Visions: This project raises awareness about the crucial roles of nocturnal animals, showcasing their unique behaviours and environmental contributions.
• Fungi: Beyond the Eye: An exploration of the hidden world of fungi roots, known as mycelium, native to Stratford.

The course, GBDA 412 – Special Topics in Media Architecture, designed and taught by David Han, a media artist and PhD candidate in Cinema & Media Arts at York University, highlights the students' ability to merge technology and the arts.

To see all the projects, please visit the class website.
https://gbda412.wixsite.com/fall2024