EXHIBITION AT RIVER HALL, AUGUST 7-SEPTEMBER 25
A Ritual of Wishing: Community Cyanotype Project
On Saturday, July 4, 2026, a free art-making workshop was held at Calgary’s Historic Firehall No. 1. Members of the public were invited to create cyanotypes to embody a personal wish. Through the alchemy of sunlight and water, their wishes are revealed and offered to the community as a collective tapestry of longing and hope.
Video documentation by Erfan Karimi, with support from The Camera Store.
BEGIN BY HOLDING A HOPEFUL WISH IN YOUR HEART…
Speak it to no one. Let it remain a secret.
Select objects that will embody your wish. Retrieve a cyanotype 'vessel'.
Place your wishing objects upon the 'vessel'. As you arrange your objects, gently focus on your wish and the intention it holds.
Beneath the touch of light, watch the 'vessel' slowly shift and deepen in hue. As the transformation unfolds, your 'vessel' becomes an offering.
When the transformation is complete, rinse your offering in water to reveal the trace of your wish.
Return the offering, carrying your wish forward into the world.
COMMENCEZ PAR GARDER DANS VOTRE COEUR UN VEOU PORTEUR D’ESPOIR…
N'en parlez à personne. Laissez-le secret.
Sélectionnez des objets qui incarneront votre voeu. Récupérez un 'réceptacle' cyanotype.
Placez les objets qui expriment votre voeu sur le 'réceptacle'. En disposant vos objets, concentrez-vous paisiblement sur votre vœu et l'intention qu'il porte.
Sous le toucher de la lumiere, observez le 'réceptacle' changer lentement et approfondir sa teinte.
Au fur et à mesure que la transformation s'opère, votre 'réceptacle' devient une offrande.
Une fois la transformation achevée, rincez votre offrande dans l'eau pour révéler la trace de votre voeu.
Retourner l'offrande, elle porte votre vœu vers le monde de demain.
French translation provided by Mireille Perron | Mireille Perron (she/her/elle) was born in Tiohtia:ke/Montréal, Québec. Since 1989 she has been working and living in Moh-kíns-tsis/Calgary, Alberta. She is Professor Emerita at Alberta University of the Arts (former ACAD). Perron is the founder of the Laboratory of Feminist Pataphysics (2000), a social experiment that masquerades as works of art/craft/events.
LISTEN TO THIS PROMPT IN THE BLACKFOOT LANGUAGE
Exposure had the honour of collaborating with Elder Sheldon First Rider to translate the "Ritual of Wishing" into the Blackfoot language, spoken here in Moh'kinstsis (also known as Calgary) in Treaty 7 territory for thousands of years. The powerful words created together support the Blackfoot language revitalization movement and honours the rich oral history of the original peoples of this land.
Blackfoot translation provided by Elder Sheldon First Rider | As a residential school survivor, Elder Sheldon, of the Kainai (Blood) Nation, has dedicated his life to healing and to the preservation of the Blackfoot way of life. He is a passionate language instructor, cultural interpreter, and storyteller who has worked tirelessly to capture and share oral stories that were traditionally used to teach Blackfoot children.
Through his work with various organizations, including the Glenbow Museum, Elder Sheldon has reached tens of thousands of students and has been instrumental in the development of Blackfoot language programs. He is committed to educating and teaching all people, ensuring that the beauty and resilience of the Blackfoot culture and language endure for generations to come.
Interested in learning more about the Blackfoot language and cultural practices?
We invite you to explore the BlackfootHistory.ca website. Their mission is to lead the Blackfoot language revitalization movement and to share the profound wisdom, teachings, and history of the Blackfoot Nation. Their work is also guided by the principle of Two-Eyed Seeing (Etuaptmumk), which integrates the best of Indigenous knowledge with modern learning
"We believe that by preserving and sharing our language and stories, we are not only honouring our ancestors but also providing a vital resource for everyone seeking to learn more about Canada history from an Indigenous perspective. Our goal is to create a digital space where knowledge is celebrated and accessible to all."
River Hall
311 8 Street SW, Calgary AB
LED BY ARTISTS
Cy Yang-Smith (they/them) is a visual artist and photographer based in Alberta on Treaty 7 territory. Working across print, soft sculpture, photography, and text, their practice explores cultural iconography, storytelling, personal narrative, and the complexities of vulnerability and intimacy.
Yang-Smith holds a Bachelor of Design in Photography from Alberta University of the Arts (2016). Their work has been presented in solo and group exhibitions throughout Moh’kins’tsis, Calgary, Alberta. They are currently the Photography Facilitator at Banff Centre for Arts + Creativity and maintain an active commercial photography practice, working with clients across Canada.
Leia Shijie Guo (she/her) is a photographer and glass artist based in Moh'kinsstis/Calgary, Alberta. Her practice investigates materiality, image-making, and the relationship between contemporary and historical photographic techniques through photography, glass, and alternative processes.
Guo holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Glass (2022) and a Bachelor of Design in Photography (2023) from the Alberta University of the Arts. Her work has been presented in regional and international exhibitions. She maintains an active commercial photography and studio practice, creating her signature "vitreo" prints, which incorporate optical glass into traditional photographic processes.
FUNDED BY
WITH GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM
The Camera Store
Made by Marcus
Neat Film Lab
Public Eye Studio
ABL Imaging
Paul Jackson Fine Art Services
Jolie Bird
And an incredible team of volunteers