Reaching the North through Northern Sights

Project Spotlight: A virtual reality project connecting northern artists to new audiences. 

Nän / Nün ch’i cha jų̃ kwa’ch’e Dän däw Kwenjè Jų̃ ts’e’į uts’an kwäts’eden-ji
A photograph of artist Derrald Taylor carving a dancing polar bear out of snow with the sun shining in the background.

Northern Sights is a virtual reality project aimed at helping northern artists broaden the reach of their art forms. In the face of geographical isolation from audiences, this project aims to use new technology to bring their work to new audiences.

People all around the world are fascinated with the North, but very few of them ever get a chance to visit. Through Northern Sights, a varied selection of works from musicians, storytellers, sculptors, painters and media artists alike are being captured using virtual reality technology, creating immersive environments for audiences and giving them unprecedented realistic experiences of today’s North.

A photograph of artist Derrald Taylor carving a dancing polar bear out of snow with the sun shining in the background.
Derrald Taylor carving a dancing polar bear (2016) PHOTO KEATING SMITH.
Derrald Taylor carving a dancing polar bear (2016) COURTESY JEREMY EMERSON.
A 360-degree film still of multiple paintings in front of green evergreen trees and a blue sky.
Borderless Art Movement 360 painting (2016) COURTESY DAVIS HESLEP.
A film still from Casey Koyczan’s music video Fisheyes showing a swirl of colours including browns, purples and pinks.
Casey Koyczan Fisheyes (2017) COURTESY DAVIS HESLEP.

Credit: This video, featuring Leela Gilday​, Casey Koyczan​, Borderless Art Movement​, Carmen Braden​ and Derrald Taylor, was originally published by Western Arctic Moving Pictures on December 12, 2019

 

About WAMP

Western Arctic Moving Pictures (WAMP) showcases and supports filmmakers and digital creators in the Northwest Territories.

WAMP is a membership-based, non-profit Canadian arts organization based in the city of Yellowknife. WAMP’s mission is to produce, support, showcase and promote film, video and digital media in the North.

WAMP aims to help Northwest Territories filmmakers make the right connections, stay informed about funding opportunities, learn more about their craft and develop professional relationships that will help them achieve their full creative potential.

This story is part of the Northwest Territories Spotlight. View more content from the Spotlight here.