Weci | Koninut

Weci | Koninut is a large-scale immersive public installation inspired by the six-season worldview of the Atikamekw Nation. Conceived by Indigenous artists Julie-Christina Picher and Dave Jenniss, the project stems from the dream of an ancestor walking through the forest — a journey that is both physical and interior. This vision is reimagined within contemporary urban space, transforming public environments into places of reflection, encounter, and shared experience.

Composed of six monumental dreamcatcher structures arranged in an open, non-linear configuration, the installation invites visitors to move freely between seasonal environments. Each module represents a season and combines vividly colored hand-painted murals, woven elements, wooden seating, light, and a layered soundscape. Together, these elements create a multisensory experience that is visually striking by day and atmospherically luminous at night.

Rooted in cultural knowledge and material integrity, all visible components are crafted from noble and durable materials, including painted wood, slatted wooden seating, woven cordage, and marine-grade finishes. Traditional weaving techniques were adapted to architectural scale through an intergenerational transmission process, ensuring both structural strength and symbolic continuity.

Technology remains discreet, activated through presence-triggered light and synchronized sound that respond intuitively to movement. Rather than dominating the experience, it supports the narrative, allowing visitors to engage at their own rhythm.

Designed for circulation across diverse cities, Weci | Koninut is modular, transportable, and adaptable to varied climates. Since its world premiere in Houston in 2025, the installation has traveled to Montreal and Seattle, and continues its North American journey through Grand Rapids, Charlotte, and Detroit, integrating seamlessly into each new context.

Freely accessible within open public space, the work amplifies contemporary Indigenous voices and fosters shared authorship of the urban environment. Both landmark and gathering place, Weci | Koninut reveals how temporary design can shift the perception of public space while generating enduring Indigenous presence within the city.