To accompany the song Wintercount, the public can leave messages which will be sent back to the recording artists.(Kevin Bertram/Submitted)

By Alison Sandstrom

Immersive listening

New interactive art exhibition features songs recorded inside P.A. correctional facilities

Sep 16, 2020 | 6:05 PM

A new multimedia exhibition at the Mann Art Gallery showcases songs written and recorded inside Saskatchewan correctional facilities and offers the public immersive ways to connect with the music.

Whether it’s being transported by a Virtual Reality headset or the smell of a smoke tanned hide, artist Cheryl L’Hirondelle told paNOW she hopes the interactive art pieces allow the public to “get inside the songs” in ways they wouldn’t be able to just listening to them on the radio.

“I tried to make [the pieces] immersive in that they’re asking you to sort of cross your line of priviledge and either commit emotionally or sensorially,” L’Hirondelle said.

L’Hirondelle has been working with Common Weal Community Arts since 2008 to host songwriting workshops with participants at Saskatchewan correctional facilities. Seven of the nine songs in the Why the Caged Bird Sings – Immersive Engagements exhibition were made in collaboration with people incarcerated at P.A. institutions.

She particularly encouraged the family members of anyone involved in the creation of the songs to come see the exhibition.

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Here I Am asks the viewer to pick up a phone and listen to a woman at the other end. (Liz Cooper/Submitted)

Mann Art Gallery acting director/curator, Lana Wilson said it’s rare to find a big-budget art show with this level of technical complexity outside of a major urban centre. But given the songs were recorded in P.A., it makes sense for the city to host the exhibition’s debut.

“It is really special that our community can experience such an in-depth show with all of these fantastic technological components that help us engage with work that was created right here in Prince Albert,” she said.

A drive-in karaoke party in the EA Rawlinson Centre parking lot is planned for the show’s opening reception Thursday evening. Musician Joseph Naytowhow who facilitated some of the songwriting workshops will emcee the event. Guests will sing along to songs from the exhibition and later, Saskatoon VJ Carrie Gates will play dance music and mix live projections on the EA Rawlinson’s exterior.

Why the Caged Bird Sings – Immersive Engagements runs until Oct. 22. It’s curated by Judy McNaughton of Common Weal Community Arts.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom