As I walk down…
Question: How would you describe your community, neighborhood, street using your five senses? How does your build environment inform your identity and behavior?
Context: This winter MABELLEarts hosted weekly workshops with out youth discussing ourselves, our communities, our schools and life on Mabelle.Ave. We were honored to work with Japneet Kaur, lead artist, is a stop-motion ceramics and illustrator. Youth from the Mabelle Ave. community in Etobicoke, ON told stories to describe their community. Listen to six vignettes to create miniature self-portraits and stories about life on Mabelle Ave. Facilitators include: Irene Flatley, Liz Rucker, Melanie Fernandez-Alvares, and Christen Kong.
Project type: Collaboration with Japneet Kaur and Mabelle Youth
Role: Program Coordinator, Story facilitator, Audio recorder & Editor
Watch all stop-motion video click here by Japneet Kaur Produced by MABELLEarts as part of the Growing Places Project.
I smell my white little screen that plays music. As I ride on a helicopter in Dixon. I see my moms pastry. I taste the talking and the gossiping of the people. I hear what I feel most of the time which is being belonged. I feel the smell of the coffee bean roasted.
As I march on Mabelle Avenue. I hear planning for the next day. I see sweet cookies lemon stuffed. I taste blue jays and sparrows chirping. I feel like water and tea. I smell clouds in the sky with my blanket.
I smell my mirror everyday in front of me as I awaken making a bright start to my day. As I skateboard down Mabelle Ave. I see Doolsho the batter rising to the top of the pan. I hear my book reaching out to me to jump into my bed and keep it company. I taste my native tongue rolling off my lips so i’m connected with my parents on a deeper level. I feel oonsi on my skin the scented smoke filling up my lungs making me feel safe.
As I travel on wheel trans on Weston Road. I see butter chicken with rice with mild spices. I hear a frozen blanket wrapped around me. I feel like smelly crayons with different flavors like grape-cherry. I smell wheel trans with different friends and a kind bus driver. I taste the playing of music and people saying “hi” with dogs barking.
As I skate down Dixon Road. I see bona every Monday, Thursday and Sundays. I hear speaking with family and friends about struggles in life. I feel mayonnaise and egg, the mask that I use for my hair. I smell my alarm everyday, even on weekends like someone is knocking on my head. I smell people getting annoyed when me and Remaz talk to loud, but we actually don’t care.
As I fly on Mabelle Ave. I see the taste of milk tea where is the warm safe feeling coming from. I hear the sound of the blanket that made me feel so comfortable in it. I feel the smell of my mom’s perfume. I taste the sweetness of people welcoming me and making me feel comfortable. I smell my family and feel loved.
This project was created by Mabelle Youth and workshop facilitators: Elizabeth Rucker, Irene Flately, Melanie Fernandez-Alvares, Japneet Kaur and Christen Kong. Mabelleyouth Featured: Amal Gure, Nura Nurhussen, Nada Nurhussen, Remaz Abdulla, Nabila Muse, Debbie. Illustrations and image by Japneet Kaur.