Culture Days – Tar Sands Exploration Station
Tar Sands in Toronto? by Diana (Downsview)
Yes. Specifically, the Tar Sands Exploration Station (TSES). This is an interactive art installation housed in a 1982 Dodge Ram camper van that will be open for visitors in the Richview Library parking lot from 10am – 4 pm on Saturday October 1!
Visual artist Allison Rowe created the TSES as a way to help people learn more about the tar sands and how they really affect the world. The TSES carries a wealth of information and resources such as environmental samples, 3D models of tar sand extraction methods, and different multimedia.
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I spoke with Allison to ask her a couple questions about her fascinating art installation:
Q: After reading your TSES website, it sounds as though you’ve had some interesting experiences! Any you’d like to share? Anything you would do differently?
A: On our cross country trip in the TSES we met some amazing people and saw some very interesting places. I particularly enjoyed Texas where conversations and ideas about oil and fossil fuels were quite different than in the rest of the country. A lot people in Texas were very disturbed that their oil would not be coming from within the United States. Whereas in California, people were excited to hear that Canada had oil, even if it is isn't a particularly environmentally friendly kind.
Q: The TSES is a very creative and interesting way to educate people all over about the Canadian Tar Sands. Did you learn something new from your travels this summer?
A: I discovered that people across the U.S. and Canada are very concerned about sustainability but are uncertain what they as individuals can do to address it. We all seem to be searching for leaders but don't have anyone in government to look to.
I also learned a few things about the design of the TSES itself. Paren'ts kept coming to visit but not staying long because their kids weren't interested in chatting about oil. This Fall I have added some new interactive elements just for kids that I am excited to officially launch at the TPL!
Q: Although your final stop is Toronto, if you could drive your TSES anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: The TSES initially began as a research vehicle that I used to travel to Fort McMurray to gather data on the tar sands. Now that the TSES is complete, I am planning to travel back to Alberta and see what people their think of the project.
Thank you Allison for the mini interview!
The Tar Sands Exploration Station has travelled all over Canada and the US and has finally come to Toronto, so don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to check out this creative and educational mobile art installation dedicated to Canadian environmental issues and art.
For all Culture Days @ the Library events visit www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/ and click on Culture Days @ the Library under What's New. For all Culture Days activities, visit go to Culturedays.ca.
2 thoughts on “Culture Days – Tar Sands Exploration Station”
Yeah, it may be a bit old for a camper van to go around and teach kids on tar sands, but it is still kicking for the sake of the environment. I hope Allison’s educational journey won’t end until we discover something useful from tar sands.
Thanks for your comment, Dante!
When I first heard about the TSES, I was definitely intrigued by the idea of a mobile information station on tar sands. Road trips and travelling definitely expand the mind, but to be a traveling education centre…I imagine it would benefit both the TSES team and its visitors!