MEET KIRAN RAI OF #YYCBLOCKPARTY

With Deerfoot City’s #YYCBlockParty officially open to the public for the summer, we couldn’t not take some time over the next few weeks to introduce you to the local artists who put their talents to work to bring #YYCBlockParty to life. First up: Kiran Rai (aka KRAI), the multidisciplinary artist behind the play-inspired window murals at The Food Lodge. With a Masters in Architecture, Rai experiments with different styles and mediums including murals - some of which you’ve probably seen at Crossiron Mills, Noor’s Curry and Grill, and Canelo’s Ice Cream, to name a few. And with future projects in the works with local hotspots such as Una Pizza & Wine, we have a feeling you’ll be seeing a lot more of Kiran’s work around the city and beyond for years to come. Here’s what she had to say about her work at Block Party and where she finds inspiration, even during creative ruts.

Photo by Courtney Verbeek, Deerfoot City

Can you explain the inspiration and process behind your project for Block Party?

They had a general guideline where they wanted it to look like a retro playground. So that idea of play really stuck out to me. Play is so important in daily life - you know, peaking curiosity and being active, etc. So I took that idea and I was looking at retro play games - the hula hoop, basketball, skateboarding, just the classic kind of playground games. I wanted it to be nostalgic of childhood and something that everyone can identify with.

What are you most excited for?

They’re going to completely transform the whole space so I’m really excited to see everything come together. And I know they’re working with a lot of other really talented artists. I love the vision and I think it’s going to be really exciting.

Photo by Courtney Verbeek, Deerfoot City

How do you get into a creative headspace for a project like this? Do you ever get "artists block"?

Definitely. Artists block happens all the time. I try to overcome it by getting online - maybe get on Pinterest and put together mood boards. I collage all these different things together and then the inspiration kind of starts flowing and I’ll pick my favourite pieces and work from there.

You have a masters in architecture - how does this influence the art you create and vice versa?

I’m always so passionate about public art so I’ve been really getting into doing more murals and projects like that, especially last summer and this summer so I definitely want to bring that into my architecture practice and see how to integrate art into the everyday and into the building and making it more exciting.

Photo by Tyler Stalman + Ania Boniecka

What do you hope people take away from your work when they see it at Block Party?

Hopefully it’s something that inspires others to play and be more curious…They’re going to have a couple interactive pieces so I’m just hoping to see everyone enjoying the whole event.

#YYCBlockParty is open now at Destination Deerfoot City and will remain open all summer long. Be sure to share your photos with @ourparkonline and @destinationdeerfootcity using #YYCBlockParty so we can join in on the fun! 

Learn more about Kiran and her work at www.krai.ca.