Urban Tapestry: Identity and Outsiders
The exhibition “Urban Tapestry: Identity and Outsiders” aims to explore the complex relationship between urban spaces, the diverse communities that live in them, and the individuals who might feel marginalized, whether within their own groups or in the broader society. This exhibition also refers to certain ideas and theories in the book, “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” by Jane Jacobs on mixed-use spaces, diverse urban ecosystems, and the importance of community-driven urban planning. The collection of works explores how these spaces can act as areas where identity, belonging, and cultural preservation are shaped and reshaped.
Many of the artworks will delve into themes of identity, belonging, inclusion, and diversity through how people might feel when impacted by their community and personal experiences. They will also examine how cities can impact and shape our sense of self and how many individuals and communities navigate the complexities of inclusion and exclusion within the urban landscape.
This exhibition is mainly focused on the question: What does it mean to belong? Conversely, what does it mean to be excluded? The artworks will explore how marginalized groups navigate their sense of self within spaces and communities that are constantly changing? These questions aim to change how we view "outsiders" in both communities as well as cities and highlight how diversity is able to shape our lives.
In her book Jacobs critiques the urban policies of the 1950s and argues for cities that focus on people rather than just buildings. She emphasizes the need for diversity, vibrancy, and nclusivity, with spaces that encourage connection and community. Jacobs' ideas, such as mixed-use spaces, shorter blocks, and varied buildings, demonstrate how cities can create environments where inclusion thrives and everyone, including marginalized voices, is heard. The intention of this exhibition is to highlight the importance of designing urban spaces that honor and preserve the identities and cultures of all people.
Additionally, the idea of connecting students at my school with their local neighborhoods also inspired this exhibition. Students at Havergal may feel disconnected from the rich histories of the communities around them.This exhibition aims to close that gap by showing how urban spaces shape, and are shaped by, the people who live in them, especially those who may feel marginalized.
Two years ago, I co-founded City Memory Mosaic (CMM), a non-profit dedicated to preserving and sharing the unique stories of diverse urban communities, especially as gentrification becomes more prevalent within these neighborhoods. Through our work, we’ve learned that cities not only evolve physically, but also socially, as communities shape and are shaped by the spaces they live in. This has deepened my understanding of what it means to belong, especially in a city, and it has motivated and inspired me to explore how identity and community are intertwined.
We began by focusing on Toronto’s Queen West as many of our members had firsthand experiences while commuting to school and we interviewed several groups such as Active 18 and CAMH. Eventually, we presented our work at the World City Branding Conference in Macau in 2023, where we used art to depict the stories we gathered.
This exhibition will feature artworks that explore how urban spaces and communities are interconnected with the people living in them and it will also showcase the importance of identity, inclusion, and belonging from several different perspectives.
Curated by Angela Yue
Havergal College | City Memory Mosaic (CMM)
