Calling experienced 2SLGBTQIA+ Vocalists
THE NATURE OF US
Created by Artio Choir & TRAction
An immersive, site-specific sound installation rooted in the philosophy of Queer Ecology
Proudly presented by Crimson Coast Dance Society as part of PRIDE week, Nanaimo 2026
Directed by Kevin Jesuino. (TRAction)
Drummer & Vocalist, Chantal Changnon, (Métis, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan)
Support by: Dave Spirit Wolf Bodaly, Snuneymuxw, and vocalists from Nanaimo’s LGBTQIA2S+ community
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Nature Of Us is an immersive, site-specific sound installation rooted in the philosophy of Queer Ecology. This framework posits that queerness, defined as fluidity, diversity, and resistance to rigid categorization, is woven into the fabric of the natural world and human existence.
The sound score, created during the project residency (April 19-20), is installed in a section of the landscape at Bowen Park. The work invites audiences to experience a powerful surround-sound composition that challenges human-centric perspectives and celebrates the ecological truth that nature is fluid and non-binary.
The score intentionally features recorded voices from the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community. These voices are integrated to create compelling soundscapes, monologues, and choral music. By drawing from principles of Queer Ecology, this partnership highlights the crucial links between human and ecological diversity, actively building an archive of this region and it’s rich complexity.
The installation’s outdoor location is fundamental: it creates a collaborative sonic experience with nature that models interdependence. The pre-recorded human voices are blended with the park’s ambient sounds (birds, trees, water, wind), transforming the landscape into an acoustic portal. This sonic weave intentionally explores the inherent consonance and dissonance between human culture and the natural world. This weaving of elements encourages listeners to reject the idea of naturalness as a rigid standard, fostering a deep, empathetic connection with the ‘more-than-human’ world. The piece expands awareness and builds a living archive of the region’s unique biota, including human, offering a reflective journey into the interdependence of all living things.
THE VOCALIST’S ROLE
Vocalists dive into local biota research, personal narratives, and improvisation to co-create a six-channel soundscape that archives the region’s rich human and ecological complexity.
Choir Workshop and Recording Dates:
April 19: 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM – Residency (with provided lunch 1.5 hr), Bowen Park Shelter (at Mill Street)
April 20: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM – 30 min recording slots – 1 per participant
An honourarium of $500 and a royalty agreement are made between the participants and TRAction.
Project Activation at Bowen Park: Saturday June 6th: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
More about Kevin Jesuino
PRESENTATION HISTORY
*Crimson Coast Dance, Nanaimo, BC, June 2026
Found Festival – Edmonton, AB, July 2024
New Works Calgary – Calgary, AB, June 2024
Mount Royal Choral Association, Calgary, AB, September 2022
Equinox Vigil, Calgary, AB
Additional Details
Event Status - Confirmed