A group of artists at UBC Okanagan have set up a contest for people to have their say on the Northern Gateway Pipeline proposal.
The People on the Pipeline Contest requires a three minute video entry expressing a view on the project with the winner to pocket $1,000.
“We have been watching the communication strategy around the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline with interest,” said Nancy Holmes, UBCO associate professor of creative writing.
“Enbridge’s ads are everywhere and the amount of money being spent to present one side of the debate is scary. So we decided to give others a chance to express their points of view.”
Along with the launch of the contest, UBCO’s Eco Art Incubator will unveiling a gallery on the People on the Pipeline website, peopleonthepipeline.com, that provides details and links to a variety of artworks created in response to the pipeline.
“We are displaying all the artworks that we can find that have addressed the Northern Gateway pipeline , gathering these grassroots’ expressions in one place,” said Denise Kenney, assistant professor of performance and one of the leads on the project.
Kenney directs and appears in We Can’t Hear You! a two-minute spoof video announcing the contest. The production was created in collaboration with Holmes, creative studies staff member and videographer Joanne Gervais, and other FCCS faculty members, and takes a jab at the Janet Holder advertisments dominating the airwaves.
Holder is the executive vice-president of western access for Northern Gateway Pipelines and a Prince George native who was used by Enbridge to humanize the project.
“We felt that video would allow people to express themselves in a more multi-dimensional way,” said Kenney. “We’re artists. That’s what we do. We generate discussion through art.”
Entries can focus on any aspect of the Northern Gateway pipeline.
Along with a $1,000 first prize, there will be a $500 people’s choice award, so people can vote for their favourite video.
There is also a $250 award for best teen entry and a $250 award for best kid’s entry. Deadline for entries is July 15, 2014.
