TORONTO, MARCH 1, 2018-- “Don’t Kill My Flow” is launching the first of its annual community-led campaign that will engage the public through creative discussion and performance art to change our relationship with water.
As a grassroots community organization. “Don’t Kill My Flow” aims to lead an arts-based cultural movement to influence the public’s relationship with water.
“We are part of this planet, in one sense, we are the planet - this planet is our collective body. Water is the flow of creative energy that gives us life. It’s the source of creation and creativity. If we disrespect water, we disrespect ourselves.” ~ Jen Li, Founder
This event brings several art communities and indigenous groups to collectively express the social impacts of water. Through education in arts and cultural leadership, we will identify the cultural value and beliefs we have with water. It is by building community engagement we are suggesting art can lead with shared values and beliefs, and will be the primary means of fostering change in our lifestyles and the environment.
We are excited and honoured to partner with amazing performance artists Tyrell Black, Nimkii Osawamick, Sun Park (formerly known as The Real Sun), Malgorzata Nowacka, as well as educators like Ray John Jr. and Saryn Caister, to create public engagement around our social commitment to water.
Currently, Canadians spend $2.5 billion on bottled water annually, even though we have clean
drinking water. In Ontario, only 14% of bottled water gets recycled (Polaris Institute). Communities across Canada have not altered their plastic bottled water over-consumption. Not through the lack of awareness and education, but lack of accessible opportunities to engage. Individuals and communities alike are not creating new lifestyles that support change. In response to the recent global impacts of water toxicity and scarcity, “Don’t Kill My Flow” aims to bring opportunities to engage through arts, community discussion and outreach.
Set to take place on March 22nd, World Water Day from 6 to 9:30PM in the Artscape Youngplace (180 Shaw St) generously provided by our sponsorship partner Artscape. To find out more about the event and stay up to date on news updates here and here.
About Don’t Kill My Flow
Don't Kill My Flow is an arts campaign promoting awareness in our relationship with water. The campaign empowers the intersection of activists, artists and Indigenous groups with inspiration and a community of engagement to transform environmental education.
Through performances, community discussions and education, Don’t Kill My Flow strives to resolve the gap between self expression and public indifference on the social impacts of water. We provide communities and influencers the opportunity to see the collective impact in our lifestyle and social practices, in conjunction to leveraging environmental education through the arts.
Don’t Kill My Flow campaign was founded in January 2018 by Jen Li.
About Artscape
Toronto-based Artscape is a not-for-profit urban development organization that makes space for creativity and transforms communities.
Our work involves clustering creative people together in real estate projects that serve the needs of the arts and cultural community and advance multiple public policy objectives, private development interests, community and neighbourhood aspirations and philanthropic missions.
Artscape comprises Toronto Artscape Inc., Artscape Non-Profit Homes Inc. and Artscape Foundation. BC Artscape is an independent affiliate.
Since its beginning in 1986, Artscape has become recognized as an international leader in creative placemaking: a practice that leverages the power of art, culture and creativity to catalyze change, growth and transformation of place. We achieve our mission through developing and managing a growing portfolio of unique cultural facilities—including community cultural hubs, multi-purpose creative spaces and artist live/work projects—and by delivering programs and services that create the conditions for artists to thrive.