Living Description

With jaz whitford, Valeen Jules, Soloman Chiniquay, Oliver Barnes, Cheryl Green and Ramya Amuthan, in response to the x̱aw̓s shew̓áy̓ New Growth《新生林》garden by T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss. Audio, 2021-22.

Against a crisp white background, a simple green graphic of three blooming flowers is centered, separating text to the left and right, reading “Call the Garden” and “1-833-SEMIPUB”, in matching green. — Against a crisp white background, a simple green graphic of a clover-like plant in bloom is centered, separating text to the left and right, reading “Call the Garden” and “1-833-SEMIPUB”, in matching green. Image credit: Ellen Lee courtesy of 221A

From the 221A website:

Living Description takes inspiration from the living, rhizomatic systems of the x̱aw̓s shew̓áy̓ New Growth《新生林》garden and the creative access practices of disability culture. In 2021, Aislinn Thomas and Ramya Amuthan led a four-part workshop series for the stewards of the x̱aw̓s shew̓áy̓ New Growth《新生林》garden – jaz whitford, Valeen Jules, Soloman Chiniquay and Oliver Barnes – with a guest session from professional describer Cheryl Green. Together, they explored the poetic and relational possibilities of creating alt-text and visual descriptions, all the while remaining committed to the functional intentions of this accessibility work. Through the convergence of many bodyminds, participants honed into their wealth of collective experiences to participate in shared sense-making and draw out the many possible ways to describe not only what is seen, but sensed.

The initiative culminates with the launch of 1-833-SEMI-PUB – a toll-free listening space featuring commissioned audio descriptions by jaz whitford, Oliver Barnes, Valeen Jules, Soloman Chiniquay and Cheryl Green. Seeking fullness through multiplicity, the project spans standard descriptive practices to more experimental takes, serving multiple viewpoints, needs and preferences in experiencing a garden. We warmly invite you to call in and spend some time with 1-833-SEMI-PUB (1-833-736-4782), or explore its digital twin [hosted online].

Commissioned by 221A in Vancouver, BC.

Sincere gratitude to jaz whitford, Valeen Jules, Soloman Chiniquay, Oliver Barnes, Cheryl Green, Ramya Amuthan, Nicole Kelly Westman, Tao Fei, and the team at 221A.