The Deep Dark

2015, Caitlind r.c. Brown & Wayne Garrett, wood, LEDs, speakers, electronics.

Gates: 32” x 82” Path: 600 ft

INSTRUCTIONS:

Step forward, through the illuminated passageway into the woods.

Be alone.

Walk slowly – there are real dangers here.

Do not return. This path moves only one direction.

…all the darkness was suddenly dark in contrast with something else that wasn’t darkness, namely light.

~ Italo Calvino, Cosmicomics

The Deep Dark is the first in a series of site-specific light installations intended to illuminate the interspaces between our sacred (and natural) environments and cultural constructs of darkness. Drawing from interviews with participants from various residencies, faculty, and staff at The Banff Centre, the project asks: why do we fear the dark? Is darkness a presence or an absence? What separates real fear from imaginary fear? By unearthing commonalities between interviewed participants, a loose narrative emerges, illuminating a collective insight into the nature of our human relationship with the deep dark.

Meditative, iconic, and evocative, The Deep Dark invites each viewer to participate in a 600 ft solo night hike through the forest surrounding The Banff Centre, alone in communion with the woods, voices in the foliage, and their own thoughts. Utilizing domestic imagery (doorways) as a literal entry point, the installation imposes artificial light into the wild darkness – light by which the darkness grows darker and disillusions the night.

Many Thanks to all 15 interview participants, The Banff Centre staff that facilitated this project, Heather & Ivan Morison, our peers, and our families.