“A thousand sockeye swim towards you. As they get closer the image expands so that the fish continue to swim over your head and continue upstream into the city buildings behind you.”
These words come from an e-brochure for Uninterrupted, a cinematic spectacle planned to take place beneath the Cambie Street bridge in Vancouver. It will feature Adams River Sockeye Salmon, with images underwater, above water and both at once.
Lana Fitt, Salmon Arm’s economic development officer, told the city’s planning committee Monday of the project being put on by Nettie Wild’s Canada Wild Productions, in concert with the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
Fitt explained that Wild visited the Adams River salmon run and was moved by it – and wanted to bring it to a wider audience.
Although a six-minute video on the run she produced through the National Film Board, which includes the voice of respected elder Mary Thomas, can be found on the Internet, this project is of a much larger scope.
The brochure explains the multi-projector spectacle will convert the underside of the bridge into a canvas that can be viewed by an estimated 4,000 people at once. The show is expected to unfold in July, August and September of 2017, with its continuance dependent on funding.
Council members saw a brief preview in council chambers – and responded with much enthusiasm. And what they saw used just one projector, while the spectacle beneath the bridge will involve six.
“Wow, I had goose bumps. That’s fantastic,” Coun. Louise Wallace Richmond remarked.
Others were equally complimentary.
Fitt requested a letter of support from council, one she said Canada Wild Productions will use to seek funds from other agencies. She said a meeting was held in early January to discuss local opportunities regarding the project.
“I think the project really speaks for itself. We’re quite excited about the uniqueness of this and the opportunity it holds for our region.”
Fitt said along with the artistic experience, it would provide education about the salmon and First Nations culture. Special events are contemplated, she said, including a night that would include First Nations bands from this area.
