Black Lives Matter Mural Project

Pink Flamingo and Calgary Phil mix murals and music in unique anti-racism collaboration

In the summer of 2020, Black-led advocacy organization, Pink Flamingo, and the Calgary Phil were working separately on different projects. In the case of Pink Flamingo, their Black Lives Matter Murals Project was underway, with phase one showcasing a work by renowned Calgary artist Jae Sterling, titled The Guide and Protector. Despite violent racially motivated threats, Sterling’s mural was completed in September 2020 and in June 2021, Pink Flamingo announced a request for proposals for phase two of their Black Lives Matter Mural Project. This first-of-its-kind project demonstrated the City of Calgary’s commitment to anti-racism and public art. It employed and represented BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) Calgarians in a way that has never been done before, by the populations it aims to represent.

During this time, the Calgary Phil had approached Canadian composer Laura Hawley to commission her to write a collaborative piece for the Chorus. The Chorus members were given direct creative influence during the writing process, and the group selected LR Knost’s poem I Rise as a piece of creative writing to work with.

In early 2021, Pink Flamingo and the Calgary Phil came together to explore the possibility of the two organizations working together. Since the Black Lives Matter murals were already in motion, the two organizations conceived the idea that the upcoming 2021 Black Lives Matter Mural Project would include an invitation to the artists involved to respond to LR Knost’s poem in their murals.

The Calgary Phil is thrilled to have partnered with Pink Flamingo as part of this project, which is supported by Calgary Arts Development, the City of Calgary, artist Katie Green, and the Beltline Urban Murals Project. Six BIPOC artists will create four murals in response to I Rise, a new work composed by Laura Hawley and based on the poem by L.R Knost, commissioned by the Calgary Phil, and performed by our Chorus.

The results were shown at a concert on 1 October 2022 at the Jack Singer Concert Hall led by conductor Leslie B Dunner and featuring performances of music by Duke Ellington and Florence Price. The concert included the world premiere of Laura Hawley’s I Rise, performed by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus and accompanied by a video created by FOREIGNERZ documenting the creation of each mural and set to this new choral work. Local Hip-hop/R&B artists Uyemi and Sinzere joined the Calgary Phil for a performance of John Legend and Common’s hit Glory from Selma. Pink Flamingo hosted a post-concert After Party, featuring artists Felicia Bonee, Vogue YYC, Woezo Africa, and Jнии.

This project began to bridge the gap between two artistic cultures that have historically been separated. By inviting the mural artists to respond to the Calgary Phil’s commission, we can reflect on where we are at on the journey. This collaboration shows us a genuine representation of what is possible when these two artistic practices are invited to collide.

Pink Flamingo is a Black-led advocacy organization that uplifts the QTBIPOC community in your city by creating events, workshops, education, and safer spaces. In doing this, Pink Flamingo is proudly providing facilitation of an array of opportunities. Pink Flamingo partnership initiatives have created a vast network of artists and organizers of diverse experience, including an ambassador program that provides access to far-reaching corners of the LGBTQ2SIA+ community.

@pinkflamingoyyc
pinkflamingo.ca

FOREIGNERZ is a full-service art and production house focused on pushing the boundary in film, music, art, and culture. The team is comprised of multidisciplinary artists who are working to create visionary films, campaigns, installations, visuals, and music video productions with a focus on uncovering new narratives in Canada and beyond. They prioritize QTBIPOC voices in their work and their vision aims to amplify these narratives through innovative and strategic production.

@sansfuccs
frnrz.com

Music composed by: Laura Hawley
Text: I Rise from Notes on the Evolution of a Woman/Work-in-Progress by LR Knost

I rise.

Again. And again.

Not as the morning bird

whose song springs

to sudden glorious life

at the dawning of the light,

but as the sun

who touches the horizon

with tender fingertips

before reaching open arms

across the sky

to embrace another day

to weather the storms

to stand tall and breathe fire

and then to descend into rest

until it’s time to rise again.

And again

I rise.

The Calgary Philharmonic acknowledges the history of racism in our industry that has been damaging to the BIPOC community. We take responsibility for decisions we’ve made as an organization that have contributed to this discrimination.

We know we have a long way to go to address these problems. Our partnership with Pink Flamingo, and our participation in this Black Lives Matter Mural Project celebrating BIPOC artists, is one step forward on this journey. We are committed to making amends and working hard to be part of the solution.

“As one of the largest arts organizations in the province, it’s important for the Calgary Phil to truly represent the diverse makeup of the city we call home,” says Paul Dornian, President + CEO of the Calgary Phil. “We want everyone to feel welcome on our stage and in our concert hall.”

What we’re doing:

Our organization has set aside time, energy, and finances to invest in our growth as a whole. Our staff (musicians and administration) and volunteer chorus have participated in antiracism training, including programs facilitated by Pink Flamingo, to ensure we understand our biases and stay accountable to our commitment to build a more inclusive organization.

  • We have formed a joint committee to create safe spaces for tough conversations and, perhaps more importantly, to examine our recruitment practices to ensure Black, Indigenous and People of Colour have equal opportunities at the Calgary Philharmonic.
  • We continue to form partnerships with community organizations (Pink Flamingo, Inside Out Theatre, Pride Calgary, among others) and support initiatives that improve accessibility to our concerts and ensure all community members feel welcome.
  • Our organization follows the framework for self-assessment outlined in Orchestra Canada’s A Perfect Fifth of Diversity initiative, which includes tools for improving inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.

On the Blog:

Meet the Mural Artists of I Rise

September 27th, 2022|Comments Off on Meet the Mural Artists of I Rise

In early 2021, the mural artists involved in Pink Flamingo’s Black Lives Matter Mural Project were invited to respond to a new commission by Canadian composer Laura Hawley. Hear it come to life [...]

I Rise Concert

In October 2022 we celebrated the results with the debut of this new work in a performance led by conductor Leslie B. Dunner, accompanied by the mural artwork and also featuring music by Duke Ellington and Florence Price.

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Photos from Pink Flamingo’s 2020 Mural Project: The Guide & Protector by Jae Sterling

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that we come together and create music on land known by the Blackfoot name Moh’kinsstis, which we also call Calgary. This land is on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Piikani, and Kanai First Nations), the Îyâxe Nakoda (Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations), and the Tsuut’ina First Nations, as well as the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3. We honour this land and all those who share it in a spirit of peace, friendship, and respect.