Eco Hub

CrossIron Mills

April 18th - April 30th, 2023

PARK and Crosslron Mills are celebrating Earth Day with the launch of Eco Hub, a re-imagined sustainable art experience designed and curated by local artists. The immersive installation, using recycled materials, will inspire visitors to meaningfully engage with this year's “Invest in Our Future” theme when it launches to the public on April 18, 2023.

Eco Hub is a recycled and refreshed structure, originating from the pumpkin hut previously used for the shopping centre's Halloween experience, Pumpkin-finity. At the heart of Eco Hub is a multi-coloured can sculpture, embossed with 1800 painted and recycled beverage cans from the Food Hall and Airdrie community. After the duration of this installation, the cans will be recycled to a local bottle depot.

To enhance the interactivity of the experience, visitors are invited to make an individual commitment to Invest in Our Planet on a larger than life chalk wall. For every pledge made by a guest, CrossIron Mills will donate five dollars to Alberta Council for Environmental Education.

Natalia Ionescu

Cube Set & Tote Bags

“Earth Day”

— In the spirit of Earth Day, this interactive set of 3D artwork aims to connect with our community by showcasing the sustainability achievements of CrossIron Mills. Each panel of artwork represents one piece of a larger whole, reflecting CrossIron's multi-faceted approach to promoting a healthy future for our community and planet by increasing technological efficiency and implementing waste reduction measures. Bright colours, organic forms, and joyful figures combine and interlock, encouraging engagement and discovery from viewers of all ages. Continuing the visual theme of organic shape, the tote-bag designs play with flowing and interconnecting lines in the form of roots, stems, petals, and leaves, representing the simultaneous fluidity and resiliency of nature.

Madelyn Yee

Exterior

“Invest in Our Planet”

— Working under the theme to “Invest In Our Planet”, the exterior walls of the Eco Hub aim to inspire action. One side features examples of how anyone — youth, post-secondary students, parents, individuals, home owners, and community leaders alike — can help make the world a better place to live in. From carrying a reusable water bottle to buying local, no effort is too small. These are presented in a fun, engaging manner with vibrant colours and illustrations flowing into one another, sparking curiosity and encouraging sustainable living in the whole community. The opposite side of the hub provides the opportunity for members of the public to write their own pledges and put words into action.

Tyler Lemermyer

Interior

“Beauty & Fragility”

— As an artist, I strive to create work that is both visually striking and sustainable. When I was invited to participate in this project, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to create an artwork that would incorporate recycled materials. The resulting installation features a collection of 1800 recycled cans that have been painted with eight different colours and arranged to depict two unique images. As you step inside the structure, you will be fully immersed in the artwork, surrounded by its vibrant colours and intricate details. A mirror is sandwiched between two halves of the planet Earth, inviting the viewer to both see themselves in the piece and to view the artwork behind them. This inclusion of a mirror adds an extra layer of meaning to the installation, encouraging the viewer to reflect on their own relationship with the Earth and to see themselves as part of the larger picture. On the other side of the installation, the layers of the Earth are depicted, with a heart at its core. This emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living things and the importance of caring for the planet as a whole. Overall, the goal of this piece is to allow the viewer to take a moment to reflect on the beauty and fragility of our planet. Through this installation, I hope to inspire all of us to work towards a more sustainable future and to take care of our precious Earth.

Featured Artists

Featured

Madeline Yee

Madeline Yee is a Chinese Canadian illustrator with a background in design and science, and a passion for bringing unique stories to life through visuals. Her style is characterized by fun yet thoughtful compositions and flowing, textured elements that provide a sense of whimsy and wonder. She strives to build accessible and engaging learning experiences through her art, ensuring that complex concepts are communicated in a way that is respectful and clear to a broader audience. Her practice is currently based in both Edmonton and Toronto.

Tyler Lemermeyer

Tyler Lemermeyer's work is bold and graphic, with vibrant and minimal colour palettes. He constantly explores the balance between realism and abstraction in his work, using playful and lighthearted themes to inspire delight in the viewer. Lemermeyer draws inspiration primarily from his surroundings, often depicting objects, portraits, and landscapes of the places he finds himself. He has been a practising illustrator and muralist in Calgary since 2012, and he is always looking for new opportunities to share his work with more people.

Natalia Ionescu

Natalia Ionescu is a Romanian-Canadian illustrator and designer based in Calgary, AB. She holds a Bachelor of Design degree, with a major in Illustration from the Alberta University of the Arts. With a focus in communication design and visual development, Natalia’s illustrations explore a variety of stories, characters, and environments through a distinctly cute and playful visual approach. She is motivated by the power of visual storytelling, often exploring expressive figures, whimsical settings, and organic elements in her work.