The Event
On three evenings in May images appeared on the Canada Malting Silos at the foot of Bathurst Street.  These most unusual images were part of a memorial to Irish famine refugees who fled to Toronto in 1847.    

The Assignment
The project began about a year ago, when Videoscope Staging Consultant, Steve Dunstall met with visual artist, Chirstina Kirouac at the silo site on the Toronto waterfront west of the Island Airport ferry terminal. Development of Irish Park was just under way. Christina wanted to project video 300 feet across the channel to create an image 60 to 70 feet wide on the massive concrete silos. Steve realized that there would be obstacles to overcome, such as the distance the projector had to throw, ambient light interference and how the HDV video would hold up when projected at such a large size on an uneven, poorly reflective surface.

With some testing, Steve found a suitable solution.

The Results
Christina reported on the project:  
The video ran for 3 evenings from 9pm to 11:30 at a scale that amazingly, almost filled the entire silo wall surface. I attended all three evenings and met with many people each night.

… All the comments were tremendously positive and the purpose intended for the video was absolutely fulfilled beyond my expectations. People were curious and not only asked questions regarding the imagery and the park but offered their own interpretations and insights which, as the artist is a great compliment.

Wes who was one of the famine ship descendants that I worked with on the video (and who appears in it), … expressed his congratulations and gratitude for his involvement in the project. Seeing himself two stories high is not something that happens everyday. He is looking forward to sharing the DVD with his family, also extending the experience beyond himself, continuing to pass on the his Irish experience.

Christina also had comments about working with Videoscope:  
With all the elements, technical and otherwise, that could have gone wrong, nothing did, even mother nature complied. .. Videoscope’s technician was not only very resourceful and capable but very helpful in sharing information about the park…  

The Park
Ireland Park itself was developed by the Ireland Park Foundation as a memorial to the Irish famine experience in Toronto. During the summer of 1847, 38,000 Irish famine immigrants arrived in Toronto. At the time, the city's whole population was only 20,000.  

It is the story of a destitute people overcoming unimaginable hardship and suffering, and speaks to the kindness and generosity of Canadians. 
It is also a reminder of the trauma of famine, which still exists in many parts of the world today.  
(from the Ireland Park foundation website)

Evocative sculptures and a wall inscribed with names of those who did not survive tell the story.  

For more information and images of Ireland Park, you can go to www.irelandparkfoundation.com or visit Bathurst Quay to experience the park.

Videoscope Rentals & Staging Department can find solutions for all events, from Art Installations to Gala Events, from Pop Concerts to Corporate Conferences.