The Shape of Energy
by Tristyn Murray
A danced short film with an original narrated poem, shot across Canadian locations shaped by energy.
About this work
In my piece, I wanted to raise awareness of the importance of the Canadian energy sector, highlighting both the tremendous impact it has on all of our lives and the challenges it can create if we do not manage its growth responsibly.
The piece is brought to life through the movement of dance, symbolizing that energy is not always conceptualized as a material substance. It begins and ends in a dark atmosphere, using light and the shapes of my body to create my own energy. Throughout the piece, I dance in various Canadian locations that reflect different elements fueled by energy, such as electricity, transportation, and economic growth.
To ensure my own thoughts on the importance of the Canadian energy sector were accurately represented, I chose to include words in the piece. Staying true to my artistic vision, I wrote a poem and narrated it as a voiceover. In the poem, I speak to how energy sources positively impact our lives, followed quickly by some of the challenges those same sources can bring. The goal, as stated in the final line, was to make sure we don’t view the growth of the energy sector through rose-coloured glasses, and that we are held accountable for the direct or indirect impacts this growth can have.
