Collaboration
For Canal Convergence 2026, Chalk River Labs transformed the original visuals into an earth-bound dreamworld tied to the land and people of the Southwest, collaborating with local Indigenous artist LadyRise to incorporate a crucial perspective into the surreal visuals and the American West’s identity.
Integrated throughout the projection mapping sequence are several of LadyRise’s original artworks, adapted for PERIGEE. Inspired by and deeply rooted in her Indigenous P’urhepecha culture of Michoacán, these works reflect the beauty, symbolism, and traditions of her cultural heritage as she forms a relationship with the Sonoran Desert.
Many of the featured artworks draw inspiration from the desert land, water, and the night sky: reflected light from celestial bodies that affect all life on earth, sparks of light emitted by obsidian arrows piercing the darkness, nocturnal butterflies dancing through the desert, and imagery of the moon that is in close relationship with the bodies of water on land and women. Representations of flora and fauna are also included in the imagery, including the flor de maguey, the greenish-yellow edible flower of the agave plant commonly used in central Mexican cuisine, and marigolds, which have a strong relationship with the spirit world.
About Chalk River Labs
Founded by award-winning artist Jay Tettamani, Chalk River Labs is an Australian-based studio producing bespoke projection sculptures. Tettamanti combines sculptural form, light, and sound to create immersive and interactive artworks for touring international festivals and public contexts. Each project is conceived as a singular spatial experience, designed to be encountered rather than observed. Visit ChalkRiverLabs.art for more.
About LadyRise
LadyRise is a painter, printmaker, and visual arts educator currently living and working in Phoenix. She was born in Watsonville, California, to Mexican migrant farm workers from Michoacan, Mexico. She began artmaking at the age of 14 with her brother and cousin in the early ’90s, when her family moved to Chicago. Her medium of choice is aerosol paint, but she also uses acrylics, printmaking, digital illustration, and photography. Through the practice of letter-style development, she learned to use color and design to paint themes centered around women. In her studio work, she investigates the topics of women, culture, and language. She currently teaches middle school art in south Phoenix and facilitates workshops throughout the community. Her work can be found throughout the city of Phoenix.
Instagram: @ChalkRiverLabs
Website: ChalkRiverLabs.art