Atanas Bozdarov and A.S.M. Kobayashi explore urban accessibility infrastructures and their use by both the disability community and skateboarders. A custom-built, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)-compliant ramp has been enhanced with additional ramp offshoots and railings and relocated to the basketball court at the Waterfront Neighborhood Centre. No longer serving its intended use, this free‐standing ramp is repurposed from an object of function into a structure for play and learning. Text associated with disability and skateboarding, including interviews from members of both communities, are integrated to emphasize the intersections and commonalities that these two groups face when using public spaces. These conversations touch on how these individuals have learned to be resilient and creative in their hacks and navigation of the spaces that actively exclude them. Audiences can hear and see these narratives and perspectives throughout the space via an edited soundscape and closed-captioned projections. Skateboarders, wheelchair users and other community members are invited to activate the ramp and explore its varied curves and inclines, while experiencing the multimedia storytelling elements. The intention of this work is for audiences to further engage in this dialogue and continue the projects’ ideas beyond the night’s temporary installation. To master the laws of physics and perform gravity defying tricks, skateboarders are drawn to infrastructure meant for other purposes. “Rise Over Run” explores design for intersecting needs and was initiated by the artists’ observations of accessibility structures and their appropriation by skateboarders.
Saturday, 5 October 2024
7am—7p
Location Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre Basketball Courts Address: 601 Queens Quay M5V 3G3
Physical Access: Wheelchair accessible