Under the Mountain's Shadow

The research project and artwork, Under the Mountain’s Shadow, created through he AUArts Self-Directed Research Scholarship explores, and attempts to bring awareness to, the challenges that face residents of, and visitors to, resort towns. Issues that are rarely discussed and even more rarely publicly acknowledged. The beauty of the place and the ‘Peter Pan’ attitude towards life in a resort town has a shadow—a darker side that results in increased rates of sexualized violence, domestic and intimate partner violence, as well as challenges with addictions and mental health[1]. These issues are even more challenging because along with the high turnover of people and the younger population, most business and employers in resort towns rely on the tourist industry and its accompanying pristine image of natural beauty—leaving little space to acknowledge, discuss, or improve the social issues facing resort towns. 

The finished piece, depicting a semi-abstract landscape of the town of Banff, is built up of trash collected from around the townsite, printed statistics and comments from a survey and research conducted during the project. The trash reflects the less picturesque as well as the disappointing behaviour of visitors and locals alike in the National Park. While the statistics from the survey which address sexualized violence, domestic and intimate partner violence, addictions, and mental health are not perhaps surprising given provincial statistics (see below) they are hard to face personally and as a community. Yet, there is hope to be found in the Bow Valley. There are shifts in attitude, access to good mental health and addictions services,[2] and the emergence of new programs to educate and support the community. While there is a shadow that hangs over this beautiful place we love and I am lucky to call home, there is also light in the increasing willingness to discuss these issues and in the strength of our community. Under the Mountain’s Shadow expresses both the darkness and the light and is part of a larger ongoing community building project.

 

[1] Hoffart, Irene. “Finding the Higher Ground: Exploring the Need to Establish Secure Shelter, Transition Housing and Support Services for Women and Children who are Escaping Domestic Violence in the Bow Valley.” Synergy Research Group Submitted to the YWCA Banff, https://ywcabanff.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/YWCA-Higher-Ground_Needs-Assessment-Report_May10_16.pdf, March 2nd, 2016. Page 5.

[2] Hoffart, Irene. “Finding the Higher Ground: Exploring the Need to Establish Secure Shelter, Transition Housing and Support Services for Women and Children who are Escaping Domestic Violence in the Bow Valley.” Synergy Research Group Submitted to the YWCA Banff, https://ywcabanff.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/YWCA-Higher-Ground_Needs-Assessment-Report_May10_16.pdf, March 2nd, 2016. Page 5.