River Diaries, created by ZAC-Zest Artist Collective, during their residency as part of CAFKA Biennale 2023, Kitchener/Cambridge area, Ontario, Canada.

CAFKA wandering residency offered a unique opportunity for ZAC artists to deeply connect with the land around the Grand and Speed Rivers and explore the potential for collaborative and experimental immaterial works. The open outcome of the residency enabled a more immersive and authentic engagement with the essence of the site.

Over the course of the twelve day residency, ZAC artists engaged in discussions and research while capturing a rich tapestry of sounds and local stories during their daily riverside walking practice. By pushing personal boundaries and embracing experimental strategies they discovered new pathways for collaborative practice, with sound spontaneously emerging as their chosen expressive medium. 

River Diaries is an experimental ‘sound kaleidoscope’ that weaves together the multifaceted experiences and reflections of the collective during their residency inviting the listener to participate in their journey.

Special thanks to the Akwesasne Women Singers for permission to use their Water Song. Michael Ambedian and Rex Lingwood for their support and taking us out on the river. The Riverside Park workshop participants and all the CAFKA staff. Ernest Daetwyler for his hospitality and support. We are equally grateful for the unexpected encounters along the river banks, including the practicing guitarist and the turtle watcher. 

Photography By Conan Stark

River Diaries - Cafka Biennial 2023

Aurora Live Transmission #01 - July 23rd 2023

Aimée Portioli is a Berlin-based Dutch-Italian composer and sound designer who records and performs as Grand River.
https://soundcloud.com/grandriver

"Until we are together again"
In June 2023, I said goodbye to my beloved dog companion after sharing twelve wonderful years together. Spencer was my family, my best friend, a constant force in my life, and a source of pure love. His presence always brought a smile to my face, he was truly amazing and beautiful. His departure made me reflect on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the present moment, prioritizing what truly matters, and letting go of the unnecessary. During a period of deep grief, I was tasked with selecting music for the first Aurora event. Immersing myself in this process and performing there provided a much-needed release. The music I chose and played was a dedication to Spencer, evoking feelings of something beyond our human experience. I hoped he could hear it from wherever he was.
It was a way for me to say thank you to him for the love, patience, and companionship he had given me. I am immensely grateful for the amazing life we shared and so proud of our journey together. He will always hold a special place in my heart.

Photo: Kasia Kim-Zacharko
Graphic Design: Romy Strasser

Grand River • Aurora Edition Transmission #01

You knew a storm was coming but you never imagined it would be this bad. You climb to safe ground, but relief is temporary. Then you hear it. Our story starts here.

Swift Intervention

Float along the Green Rapids stream with us! Nancy and Erica are catching waves along the LGROW flow with Robert Cloy. We learn more about the GRANDest River in Michigan, urban water spaces and how you can tap into becoming an advocate!

The LGROW Flow - with Robert Cloy

ᴀɴ ɪɴɴᴏᴠᴀᴛɪᴠᴇ ᴄᴏɴᴄᴇʀᴛ sᴇʀɪᴇs ᴅᴇᴅɪᴄᴀᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴅʀᴏɴᴇ, ᴀᴍʙɪᴇɴᴛ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴇxᴘᴇʀɪᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʟ ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴘᴇʀғᴏʀᴍᴀɴᴄᴇs, ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴇᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴ ғᴏʀᴍɪɴɢ ᴍᴇᴛɪᴄᴜʟᴏᴜsʟʏ ᴄʀᴀғᴛᴇᴅ sᴏᴜɴᴅsᴄᴀᴘᴇs ᴀɴᴅ ᴠɪsᴜᴀʟ ᴀᴛᴍᴏsᴘʜᴇʀᴇs. 

ᴀᴜʀᴏʀᴀ ᴇᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴ ᴡɪʟʟ ʙᴇ sʜᴏᴡᴄᴀsɪɴɢ ɴᴇᴡ ʀᴇʟᴇᴀsᴇs ᴀs ᴀ ʀᴇᴄᴏʀᴅ ʟᴀʙᴇʟ, ʀᴇᴄᴏʀᴅɪɴɢs ᴏғ ᴘᴀsᴛ ʟɪᴠᴇ sʜᴏᴡs, ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴜʀᴀᴛᴇᴅ ᴍɪxᴇs, ᴀᴠᴀɪʟᴀʙʟᴇ ғᴏʀ ᴏɴʟɪɴᴇ ʟɪsᴛᴇɴɪɴɢ.

Who doesn’t like a good story with real-life superheroes? Impactually features everyday people doing extraordinary work for the benefit of the communities in which they live and often those beyond. We focus on how the influence of their work is inspiring others to act, the brands who actively partner with them by bringing resources to the issue, and the power of kindness. Welcome to Impactually - the power of one voice, multiplied.

Impactually is a production of Humm Productions, a 501c3 media collaborative

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