What Moves You (March 2021)

Launched during a global pandemic, in partnership with University of the Arts London, Camberwell College of Arts (UAL) (London, UK), What Moves You brought together 14 Fine Art students across both universities to connect in a process of exploration, and to consider the potential of art to be a catalyst for social change. As lockdowns loom, as vaccine invention and dissemination accelerate, and as embedded issues of inequity dominate the news cycle - students endeavoured to comprehend the impact of this transformative moment.

Led by faculty Anda Kubis (OCAD U) and Lois Rowe (UAL), this 6-week intensive allowed students to collaborate in groups using various artistic methodologies including vision board ideation, site visits, and weekly virtual meetings responding to notions of place. They worked towards building a trans-Atlantic network comprised of creative outputs and documentation from each individual’s location. Responding to a series of generative questions that prompted artistic response and deep critical discussion, in addition to presentations from international guest artists, Dr. Kimathi Donkor, David Cross, Ilene Sova, and Nadia McLaren, groups developed a collective project as their final presentation. Students shared their global insights, identified pressing social challenges, and represented an innovative web of artistic propositions.