The Burn
January 19 to March 12, 2023
Heal and cleanse through the restorative power of rising heat, ash, smoke and water of The Burn, an interactive installation inspired by the universally sacred elements of fire and water. Providing a sanctuary for comfort and care with rituals of intention setting, releasing and letting go, this installation is part of Stronger TOgether, a program for Toronto residents to recognize and reflect on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Engage with The Burn’s travelling vessels as they tour the city from January 19 to March 11, inspiring Torontonians to set healing intentions on wooden spheres.
Following the tour, take part in a commemorative ceremony featuring The Burn at Nathan Phillips Square on March 11, 2023, the third anniversary of the official start of the pandemic, in memory of lives lost. Experience a shared exhalation through fire, water and immersive waves of sounds, as the vessels’ wooden spheres, along with fresh ones created onsite, come together to ignite for a 24-hour burn from March 11 to 12.
Ashes from the burn will be harvested, mixed into soil and spread across city gardens to honour the spirit of our collective healing.
The Burn was created by multi-talented, award-winning artist Roger Mooking in collaboration with interdisciplinary artist and designer Javid JAH and multi-disciplinary artist and Wyandot Elder Catherine Tammaro.
Tour of the Interactive Vessels
The Burn vessels will be touring communities, collecting Torontonians’ healing intentions. Visit a site below to reflect on the pandemic, write your intentions and place them within the vessel to be released through fire.
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Zion Schoolhouse | February 2 to 8 Installation available at Zion Schoolhouse, accessible from Finch Avenue East or the small parking lot on Angus Drive. |
| Colborne Lodge | February 2 to 8 Installation available in the Coach House of Colborne Lodge, located at the south end of High Park. Accessible from Colborne Lodge Drive. Limited free parking on weekdays. High Park is closed to vehicles on weekends. |
| Scarborough Civic Centre | February 6 to 9 Installation available on the main floor of Scarborough Civic Centre, near the security desk. |
| Gibson House Museum | February 9 to 15 Installation available in the front parlour room of Gibson House Museum. Accessible from Park Home Avenue. |
| Driftwood Community Recreation Centre | February 9 to 15 Installation available in the main lobby at Driftwood Community Recreation Centre. Accessible from parking lot entrance off Driftwood Avenue. |
| Assembly Hall | February 9 to 15 Installation available in Assembly Hall‘s main foyer. Accessible from Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive, through roundabout. |
| Montgomery's Inn | February 16 to 22 Installation available in the Community Room of Montgomery’s Inn. Take the main stairs or elevator down from the lobby. |
| Clark Centre for the Arts | February 16 to 22 Installation available in the Clark Centre for the Arts‘ lobby. The cultural facility is located inside Guild Park and Gardens. |
| Ontario Science Centre | February 16 to 22 Installation available in the main lobby of the Ontario Science Centre. Enter the front doors and proceed past the box office towards the lineup for the shuttles. Parking details and more. |
| Todmorden Mills | February 23 to March 1 Installation available in the Papermill Gallery at Todmorden Mills. Accessible from Pottery Road. |
| stackt market | February 23 to March 1 Installation available at The Lookout, located in the centre of stackt market, between the North Hall Gallery and the South Lawn. |
| Mackenzie House | March 2 to 11 Installation available at Mackenzie House in the Gallery. |
| Elmbank Community Centre | March 2 to 11 Installation available in the main lobby of Elmbank Community Centre. |
| Toronto City Hall | March 2 to 11 Installation available in the Rotunda on the main floor of Toronto City Hall. Please note, Visitor Screening is in effect at City Hall. |
As a commemoration to the lives lost and affected by the pandemic, The Burn is a collective healing moment fuelled by the power of the people. Love only beyond this point.
– Roger Mooking
Artist Bios
Roger Mooking is a globally recognized, Trinidadian born, Canadian raised talent that creates immersive experiences in the Arts. As an award-winning chef, recording artist, author and TV host he is inspired by his rich family heritage, love for people and travel.
Javid JAH is an interdisciplinary artist and designer inspired by the traditional origins of sacred geometry. His practice explores a variety of interventions, from graffiti art murals to sculptural installations, designing and fabricating work that is site-specific, spatial and symbolically aligned to cosmic archetypes.
Catherine Tammaro is a multi-disciplinary artist whose practise spans decades. She is a Wyandot Spotted Turtle Clan FaithKeeper and is active throughout Toronto and beyond, as Elder, mentor, teacher and advisor. An alumna of Ontario College of Art, Catherine has had a diverse career, multiple exhibits and installations, published works and presentations and continues her practise, as it pertains to our creativity, our spiritual lifeways and the sacred multiverse.
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