By Sadeen Mohsen
The winter edition of Pique arrives on Dec. 9, pulling out all the stops with socio-political themes, raging beats and lively visuals. The festival will feature over 20 artists across 10 different stages and exhibitions, spotlighting underground music and unique, experimental artworks to “foster conscious social engagement,” according to organizers Debaser. This edition was guest-curated by Crip Rave and Kingsley Swim.
The event is open to people of all ages and includes the Pique Art Market, featuring over 40 local artists, makers, and community groups. The market will take over two floors of the Ottawa Art Gallery.
The curatorial perspectives of Crip Rave, a Toronto-based collective, focus on providing a safe and accommodating rave party space for crip, disabled, deaf, mad, and sick body-minds. Their program features exhibitions by Regularfantasy, Venus in Foil, and Arthritis Kid at Club SAW. It will accommodate a range of abilities through audio-responsive visuals and there will be access to the nearby Breathing Room for de-stimulation.
“Setting up an electronic music event so that all people can enter a venue is crucial, but accessibility requires us to go further—to centre disability in every aspect of planning so that all people can feel safe, comfortable, have their access needs met and their talents reflected in rave culture,” Crip Rave’s website states.
Photo provided by Debaser.
Kingsley Swim works actively behind the scenes as a music curator and storyteller, seeking to bring talents and voices to the surface. Her curation will take place all over the building and features performances by DJ Kookum, Naïka Champaïgne, and Eazy Finesse.
“I see [Pique] as bridging these existing communities, we all exist, we are all doing things to advocate for themselves… and to stand in ally with one another,” Swim said.
The event covers a wide array of topics, such as Palestinian Canadian artist Jeena, who will provide a healing sound bath with accompanying visuals and beautiful compositions amid the current situation in Gaza.
In another exhibition, SHHH!!! Ensemble and composer Frank Horvat will hold an open conversation about the world’s climate emergency while presenting a screening of their project titled “An Auditory Survey of the Last Days of the Holocene.”
“[We] hope that this piece is illuminating in some ways to do with the climate crisis and makes people [think] about how they interact with the climate and our place here on Earth,” the duo said in a phone interview.
Pique will also hold a discussion on prison abolition and post-carceral futures through an immersive installation by 4theworld, located at the Arts Court’s jail cells, which have been preserved along with the courthouse that used to occupy the building.
“We are thrilled to bring together this group of forward-thinking artists and curators for the winter edition of Pique,” says Debaser founder and director Rachel Weldon. “Working closely with guest curators Crip Rave and Kingsley Swim, as well as our programming committee, we have designed a program that makes space for understanding, joy, and impact. We can’t wait to share it with you.”
Pique’s winter edition takes place on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 5pm to 2am at Arts Court (67 Nicholas St). Get tickets and more info about the lineup here.
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