Animated Short Film
My piece showcases the importance of the Canadian energy sector through the eyes of an animator. It shows how important the energy sector is not only to the animators themselves, but to the viewers as well. No matter how much a video is dubbed or what the language is of the text on the screen, everyone understands a moving image, like body language or facial expressions. Animation is often used to capture and keep the viewer's attention to spread messages, and to make large, hard-to-handle topics into smaller, more manageable bites. Without energy, animation couldn't exist as it does today, and in a world of needed convenience, that's a major "uh-oh".
Visual Art
When beginning the creative process for my project, The Framework of Our Energy Future, I had a clear goal in mind: to portray how all of Canada’s diverse energy creation methods can work together in beautiful synchronicity. Having multiple forms of energy generation in Canada allows its citizens—including myself—to enjoy a higher quality of life. Three key factors that contribute to this positive influence on Canadians are Employment, Choice, and Reliability.
Employment — Every single system of energy creation requires people to invent, develop, build, and operate the equipment. Having a multitude of energy creation methods not only produces more electricity and fuel for people, but also creates more jobs for the citizens of our growing country.
Choice — Having diversity in energy creation methods allows people to choose what type of energy they want to use. If a Canadian wants to go completely green by investing in an electric car and solar panels, they can. If they prefer to drive a large gas-powered vehicle, they can, by supporting Canada’s oil and gas industry. The more energy creation methods available, the more choices Canadians have.
Reliability — Canada cannot rely on just one form of energy generation due to the risk of complications. For example, if Canada’s entire energy sector were fueled solely by wind power, there would be a nationwide crisis if a shortage of wind turbine blades occurred. Canada would begin to lose power across the country, causing entire cities and industries to shut down. However, thanks to Canada’s vast variation in energy creation methods (e.g., hydroelectric dams, geothermal plants, solar panels, coal), the country would be able to adapt and continue providing power. Having a variety of energy sources ensures a more reliable energy future.
The Framework of Our Energy Future was created to show how Canada’s energy systems can work in harmony—much like Canada’s vast landscapes and diverse people come together to create the beautiful nation that many, including myself, call home. The energy industry fuels all other industries, which is why it’s critical that we make thoughtful choices to move our energy sector forward, while also providing Canadians with Employment, Choice, and Reliability.
My project showcases the diversity of the Canadian energy sector by placing replicas of various energy creation systems onto landscapes that can be found throughout the nation. Some replicas even feature moving parts to symbolize the constant motion of the energy industry. The backdrops are interchangeable to represent that the energy sector continues to operate and evolve at all times—through night, dawn, day, and dusk.
Ultimately, my project offers a glimpse into the beauty and dynamism of our strong, growing energy sector.
Film
This short film shows how the Canadian energy sector directly impacts the daily life of an average 18 year old. From the moment we wake up to the moment we go to sleep it shows how energy is all around us. As the video goes on it starts to go more in depth into how the Canadian energy sector helps the economy, other countries, and the entire world, all while going back to how it betters the average daily life in Canada.
Interactive Oil Painting Instillation
The painting describes how the Canadian energy sector creates jobs, supports critical infrastructure like hospitals, prevents energy insecurity, and how Canadian energy production can lead as a better example in sustainability on a global stage.
The ropes seen on the painting, show how energy symbolically "Ties" in crucial part of our life. The two hands, reaching out for each other show how even when politically polarized like never before, we need to see through our differences to establish a brighter future for our nation. A hospital is shown in the reflection of oil derricks, showing how vital services depend on stable energy producers. In the top right corner, a painting of Calgary lit up, shows how energy insecurity isn't a problem with dependable production.
A falling angel metaphorically depicts how when the "Rope" which "Ties" Energy into our lives is cut, it's the working class who benefit from the economic and job security that suffer. Lastly, the eye shows that we need to see the effects that energy has on our lives and learn to see past issues like climate, but embrace the positive impacts that the Canadian energy sector provides.
The 3D art installations surrounding media, aims to give people a better "Perspective" (Pun intended) On how Canadian energy production is a vital part of not just our nation, but that Canada can become a global leader in demonstrating sustainable and environmentally conscious production of energy.
By creating a 3D installation, the metaphor of seeing a "Different Perspective" Is fulfilled. It also means art which can normally only be experienced through images or in person, is accessible for anyone across both the nation and globe.
Short Animated Film
Thanks to the Canadian energy sector, aspiring duelists Physis and Limpid are able to train at an isolated training club in another nation. Physis tells Limpid about her childhood growing up in Canada and learning about its energy sector from her parents, who worked directly in the industry. Limpid had never learned about the importance of energy and the significance of having access to it to keep up the success in his training, and Physis's wisdom helps guide him towards a better way of living with gratitude. By the end of the short film, Limpid has stronger awareness of doing the little things: turning off the tap when brushing his teeth or closing the light when exiting a room, and in turn, he feels a sense of appreciation that he never felt before for the energy that helps him do what he loves everyday.
The Canadian energy sector is something many of us take for granted, and showcasing the direct impact of it on two individuals in a short film helps us understand the importance of it for not only us living in Canada, but also citizens of the 130+ other countries that import energy from it (Government of Canada, 2022).
Short Story/Children's Story
My submission is a children's book that explores various energy sectors: hydropower, solar energy, wind energy, nuclear energy, and fossil fuels. I describe both the positive and negative aspects of each type of energy in a format that is easily digestible for elementary school-aged children. Through the use of rhymes and colourful illustrations, I hope to get young Canadian children interested in where their energy comes from and the importance of the Canadian energy sector in their everyday lives.
The first manner in which my book showcases the importance of the Canadian energy sector is that it showcases the diversity of options available to Canadians as energy sources. Canadians have the opportunity to produce their own energy for themselves through the use of personal solar panels to supply energy for their home. Canadians may also live in communities supplied with energy from wind turbines and water dams. Alternatively, Canada also has an abundance of fossil fuels compared to many other nations, which also serves as a source of energy. Finally, Canada is one of the limited number of nations that uses nuclear power to generate energy. Therefore, a key benefit of the Canadian energy sector that my submission highlights is the diversity of Canada's energy sources.
Additionally, an important lesson that I hope for the reader to take away, is that no energy source is perfect and that they all have their strengths and limitations. An aspect of the Global Warning documentary that I admired was that it equally highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of Canada's fossil fuel industry. Therefore, in addition to outlining the many different sources of energy that Canadians have access to, I also wrote about their pros and cons. However, as mentioned previously, the wide array of energy sources that Canadians have access to has ensured that our energy sector is not so dependent on only one source of energy. When energy production via one source stagnates, potentially due to environmental factors such as a drought limiting energy production at dams, Canadians still have access to energy produced via fossil fuels, solar power, wind power, and nuclear power. Canadians can benefit from multiple sources of energy at the same time. Therefore, the second key benefit of the Canadian energy sector that my submission highlights is the stability of energy supply to Canadian citizens via multiple avenues.
Dance Concept Video
When I think about Canada, one of the first words that comes to mind is “diversity.” Our nation is made up of a vast variety of people, cultures, and beliefs, all coming together to create something unique and powerful.
When taking the Energy Creates course, I was struck by how thoroughly our energy sector reflects and mimics that strong sense of diversity; we as a nation rely on many very different energy sources and industries to keep us moving and expanding. While each source is important on its own, it cannot fulfill the entirety of Canada's needs by itself, which is what makes the variety we see in our energy sector so important.
I wanted to explore the idea of energy diversity through movement and gathered a team of seven unique dancers to represent seven of the energy sources Canada relies on. Each dancer wears a different colored piece of fabric to represent their power source and performs a solo choreography piece inspired by their assigned industry. As each dancer performs their solo, a puzzle piece with an image of their power source floats across the bottom of the screen. At the end of the video, all the dancers perform together in one space, weaving through each other to create something all-consuming and bigger than themselves. As the video fades to black, each dancer’s puzzle piece comes together to form the shape of the Canadian flag, showing that Canada’s strong sense of diversity is reflected in the energy industry just as much as it is reflected throughout its population.
Though many energy sources are showcased throughout this concept video, Oil and Gas takes a strong leadership position, acting as the backbone and driving force behind what keeps Canada moving. It was important to me that this sense of leadership was reflected in the dancing, which is why I decided it made the most sense for me to dance that particular part. As the director, choreographer, camera person, and creative mind behind this project, it felt appropriate to have the driving force behind the project play the driving force behind the energy sector.
My goal in creating this Concept Video was to make understanding and supporting Canada’s energy sector easier and more accessible to people through movement, rather than words and statistics that may be harder to grasp. I wanted to help people see the beauty and humanity of a sector that often gets a reputation for being harsh and, at times, destructive. In order to better our energy sector and make it more sustainable, we first have to allow ourselves to see the humanity and artistry embedded within it — and appreciate that, just like Canada's population, diversity is what powers our flag.
Visual Art Piece- Electronic Sculpture
Inspired by Mathew Embry's 2019 documentary, ""Global Warning"", this electronic sculpture visually demonstrates how energy is generated and used across Canada, alongside the socio-economic impacts of our current energy landscape. I'm currently studying as a Mechatronics & AI Engineer, where energy is the foundation of all my work. So, I decided to build something that uses energy self- referentially to illustrate the gravity of the energy conversation in Canada.
All these perspectives serve as microcosms of the Canadian energy landscape. All of them are valid in their own right. But what emerges is an undeniable sense of tension and chaos when we look at this problem from above. When I look at my sculpture, I feel this.
We need reliable, affordable energy, both now and in the future.
There is no doubt about that. But how can we reconcile so many nuanced, intertwining viewpoints in a way that ensures a safe future for all Canadians? While I do not have any answers, I'm confident that what I have created conveys the significance and urgency of asking this particular question -- which is the first step to shaping a better future.
Short story
Through my short story, I wanted to draw attention to the small but significant ways in which energy is used to make a positive impact in our society. I sought to illustrate how the Canadian energy sector works indirectly and behind the scenes to save people's lives.
The growth of my protagonist, Hawthorne, demonstrates this by showing how he begins to recognize the importance of the energy sector in saving his life — and the lives of many others — despite his initial dislike toward various portions of it. Hawthorne's early mindset reflected my own just a few weeks ago: fixated on the negative impacts of fossil fuel use, generalizing these impacts to the overall energy sector, and determined to find ways to reduce fossil fuel reliance.
Yet as I watched the documentary Global Warning and conducted further research, I grew aware of the complexity of the issue and wanted to explore my new perspective through writing Hawthorne's story. Hawthorne, like myself, discovered that despising a certain energy source led to a narrow-minded view of climate issues, and he learned to respect and express gratitude for the people working in the energy sector.
This ultimately highlights the importance of the "buried framework" of Canadian — and many other — societies: otherwise known as the energy sector.
Art piece
Time is said to be the only resource that cannot be bought, replenished, or replaced. Sustainable Seconds is a kinetic sculpture highlighting the fleeting moments we have to make important climate decisions. The handcrafted Stirling engine is the centerpiece of the sculpture and, through heat, powers a clock face stripped of its hour markings‚ call to the complex debates surrounding climate that leave us wondering, how much time do we have left?
The hotter the flame, the faster the clock face spins. A sense of impending danger is instilled in the viewer as the clock face spins at a blistering 33 revolutions per second, mimicking the climate anxiety shared by many Canadians. By omitting the hour markings on the clock face, the viewer is obligated to determine for themselves the amount of time that remains for humanity to spark change. Or whether change is needed at all.
It runs entirely on heat input, mimicking fossil fuel energy generation. Decades of fossil fuel dominance have created the structure upon which the Canadian economy and society are held. The intricacies of the machine amalgamate into a critical product resistant to change.
"Sustainable Seconds" serves as a metaphor for Canada's energy sector. The complex, finely-tuned machine has become the backbone of our economy and society and, much like the engine, only persists as the torch is passed on from generation to generation. As Canadians, we are challenged to question how long we will allow this reliance to shape our future.
The wooden base upon which the engine rests is a subtle yet powerful reminder: despite our pursuit of technological advancement, we remain fundamentally dependent on the natural world. The Canadian energy sector supplies jobs, fuels the economy, and has cultural significance in many provinces. Be that as it may, when all the fossil fuels run out, we may be left with a few precious sustainable seconds.
LEGO Build
My piece showcases the importance of the Canadian energy sector because it takes the viewer through the process of how Canadian energy improves the standard of living of Canadians and other people around the world. It shows the viewer how Canadian energy is used all throughout Canada to fuel our cars, buses and other modes of transportation, provide electricity for our homes, and run profitable industries all across the country.
My piece also demonstrates how the Canadian energy sector brings significant profits that are used to run many other key elements of Canadian society like healthcare and education, and make it one of the most prosperous nations in the world.
Thirdly, my piece shows how Canadian energy is produced at some of the highest environmental standards in the world, making Canada a cleaner place to live in and also providing other countries that don't produce energy to such standards with cleaner energy, improving their quality of life as well.
Song
With Oil of the North, I wanted to delve into the heart and soul of Canada’s oil and fossil fuel industry, aiming to capture not only the immense pride we hold in this sector but also its pivotal role in our nation’s economy and identity. This rock song is a tribute to the tireless workers and the innovative spirit that drive this industry.
I also wanted to remind listeners of the crucial balance between harnessing natural resources and pioneering technological advancements that lead to more efficient and environmentally considerate extraction and usage methods. This balance is what positions Canada as a leader in the global energy market.
The song conveys a message of hope and forward-thinking, celebrating how our natural resources can fuel the future — without forgetting the importance of innovation and environmental stewardship.