New Telus Spark immersive experience showcases Indigenous superheroes
Telus Spark's latest digital immersive experience features a new kind of superhero – the Indigenous kind.
Sacred Defenders of the Universe follows four superheroes – Aqueous, Embers, Aireus and Terra – who fight to restore elemental balance to the planet.
The exhibition takes place inside the Spark Digital Immersion gallery, a 278 square meter, (3,000 square-foot) space that gets transformed into a kind of living graphic novel for Sacred Defenders of the Universe. Visitors discover Indigenous science through the Circle of Life, the four sacred elements and directions, and key words in Indigenous languages.
Guests can also interact with the digital story elements on their own, create waves and wind, grow plants and mycelium, and ignite their senses with sparks and fire.
The project was co-created by Justin Jack Bear and Earl Benallie, with animation provided by a team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists, all of it produced by Supply and Demand.
Benallie is impressed at how the gallery turned out.
"I'm overwhelmed actually," he said. "Every time I go in there, I see something new, because it's a new technology, it's fully immersive, you have to really go three or four times to really experience the whole thing, it's that incredible."
Benallie has a rain water harvesting background and says he's worked a shovel for the past 23 years. He grew up listening to his elders and their sacred teachings and knew one day his life stories were going to be important to tell.
"During the pandemic when we all got sent home to our rooms to sit I think a lot of people went creative," said Benallie. "(Things like) canning food, drawing, painting, I went to the Sacred Defenders of the Universe."
Sacred Defenders of the Universe opens Thursday, March 23 at the Telus Spark in Calgary
CROWDFUNDING TO CREATE COMIC BOOK
Justin Jack Bear says he and Benallie were looking to start the story in a comic book.
"When we started to create the series, we were actually crowdfunding to get enough money to create a comic book," he said. "We did that for a couple of years and word started to travel and someone at Spark found out and before we could make a comic book, it became an immersive comic book where you can actually be a part of this story."
Jack Bear says the story is a struggle between ego and humility and so if people can understand what that is, they can understand what it means to be a part of nature. He'd still like to make a comic book series, but maybe one day create something for the big screen similar to other action hero movies.
"I'm really hoping that we can really write out the full story and journey of these characters," he said. "We would just love everybody to support them and come experience it for themselves."
RESONATE AND CONNECT
The creative and production teams worked with local and national Indigenous communities, and Spark's Indigenous Advisory Circle, to create an immersive exhibit that will resonate and connect with the community.
Kori Czuy is the Indigenous engagement manager at Telus Spark and worked with the creators and says the story sends a powerful message.
"I think the next generation need to see the depth of science within the Indigenous stories, within the land," she said. "In a story to reconnect with nature and how can we help rebalance the earth."
Czuy says it's important for Indigenous youth to see people like them portrayed as fictional characters.
"Just telling a superhero story with indigenous characters, that was so inspiring" said Czuy. "I saw so many connections through science that we could tell the depth of science within Indigenous knowledge that we've known for thousands of years and especially with reconcili-action, I think it's very much needed for everyone, not just Indigenous people, for everyone to understand the story."
Sacred Defenders of the Universeis open to the public now until October. Learn more about it here: https://www.sparkscience.ca/whats-on/sacred-defenders-of-the-universe
The gala opening Thursday night will feature local Elders, who will talk about balance in relation to the Equinox, the Circle of Life, the Four Elements and more.
Members of the Calgary Fire Department will also be on hand to share some real-life hero stories. The Sorrel Rider Drum Group from Siksika will perform, and you can meet the show's creators, Justin Jack Bear and Earl Benallie.
Reserve your free tickets here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.