Sometimes, Houstonians travel to experience cultures outside our familiar city. Other times, the city brings culture here to the heart of Houston. Produced by Init in collaboration with Houston First Corporation and powered by Creos, six interactive installations form a world-class immersive production along Avenida Houston that transforms public spaces into a territory filled with collective dreams and memories.
The installation aims to bridge cultural gaps and encourage visitors to explore Aboriginal history and art. It incorporates elements like sound, lighting, and visuals, created by First Nation artists — the first inhabitants of what is now Canada. The exhibit will run through Labor Day weekend.
“We wanted to share our cultures with the rest of Canada and and the rest of the world,” said Dave Jenniss, one of the creators. A member of the Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk Nation, Jenniss is considered a leading figure in contemporary theater, particularly in the field of indigenous theater in Quebec and Canada.
“The indigenous peoples of eastern Canada and their traditions are little known,” he said. “The best approach to [sharing these traditions] was through the world of a dream and using a dream catcher, because the dream is very important in my tradition and with all Aboriginal people.”
The installation, Weci | Koninut, was created by Jenniss and Julie-Christina Picher, in collaboration with Eruoma Awashish, Étienne Thibeault, Serge Maheu. It invites passerby to a sensory journey through the forest guided by the six seasons of the Atikamekw culture: Pitcipipon (Pre-Winter), Pipon (Winter), Sikon (Pre-Spring), Miroskamin (Spring), Nipin (Summer) and Takwakin (Autumn).
Weci | Koninut embodies the wisdom of the ancestors and deep respect for our environment. The interactive installation offers an evocative space that encourages visitors to explore their own dreams and inner reflections.
“It really gives you the opportunity to live kind of a journey on each of the units that you visit. You can live a different experience, depending on the people that are either really looking through their eyes or hearing through their ears, and you can live a different journey,” said Creos co-founder Alexandre Lemieux.
Jenniss pointed out that each visitor will walk away with a different impact as the six pieces vary in their paintings, soundscape, lighting and capacity. Some of the installations are made for two; others, for one. Someone the height of a child will notice some details closer to the ground, while an full grown adult will witness elements higher up on the installations and out of view from shorter children.
“It is a completely unique experience for each person,” he said. “Each different season has a different message. It’s absolutely a pleasure to hear the different sights and sounds.”
“Visitors have an experience with their eyes in terms of the visual exploration of all the paintings of the unit. Then there is a second phase that they can have with their ears to punctuate the story in the journey,” Lemieux added. “All this together creates two stories. When someone comes during the day, they have more of an experience about looking at the painting and everything that’s been created. At night, it truly glows in a different way. There’s this invitation also to come explore during the day and then come explore at night. They are two whole different experiences.”
The partnership between Creos and Houston First is not the first. They have presented several times in the city, most recently with 2022’s Roseaux, 2023’s Optik and 2024’s e/motion.
Creos aims to use interactive art to connect and inspire. For more than 10 years, it has brought art to the world, transforming public spaces into must-see destinations. It has propelling around 30 interactive installations to more than 120 cities worldwide.
Weci | Koninut is on display at Avenida Houston, 1001 Avenida de las Americas. For more information, visit houstonfirst.com. Free.
