My husband and fellow sky-gazer Kristofer Kelly devised this collaborative project in which we encouraged almost a hundred participants to collect water from the Bow River, and then colour it to match the sky. Some chose to match the colour they saw, others attempted to recreate a sky from memory.
Children, it seemed had an altogether different approach, understanding immediately that the whole point was to play with colour, creating some of the most incredible colours we saw that day. The colours we used were naturally sourced excepting one jar with a few drops of blue food-colouring. Teas, spices, fruit juices and milk provided a palette for sunsets, stormy skies and the smoky haze of distant forest fires.
The stories that this experience elicited from its participants were funny, touching, sometimes romantic and even haunting. I was struck by how something so simple can inspire such spontaneous, meaningful communication between strangers. Thank you to each person who came by and took part in this event.
Watch a video created by Kristofer Kelly HERE.