Global Multimedia Storyteller Robert Young’s Powerful UNMASK FEAR Installation Activates HarbourFront Centre
The Eyes of 12 Canadians, 6 Black Men and 6 Black Women Tell the Story of
“Hope In a Time Of Pandemic And Inequality”
For Immediate Release
October 7th, 2021 (Toronto, ON) – UNMASK FEAR CANADA officially launches TODAY with the larger-than-life portraits installed on the windows of Harbourfront Centre’s Main Building of 12 Black Canadians created and shot by world-renowned multimedia storyteller Robert Young. An official reception will be held this evening at Harbourfront Centre Theatre, North Terrace, 231 Queens Quay West at 6pm with Young, portrait participants and The Honourable Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Elizabeth Dowdeswell in attendance. Program begins at 7pm. Media registration and Proof of Vaccination required.
This public art installation is a continuation of his UNMASK FEAR campaign which began in Washington DC last spring with a self-portrait: NO FEAR. That portrait along with a side profile of Young without a mask included in Canada’s installation. This critical multiple content series includes unedited filmed stories of each subject who all have made remarkable contributions to community, culture and country.
UNMASK FEAR is a response to the devastating global pandemic and the international outcry for racial justice. A large-scale public art installation will take place on Pattison Outdoor Advertising across Canada and locally in a special commission with Harbourfront Centre and supported by the City of Toronto as part of ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021-22.
The subjects in order of appearance are:
· Anthony Hylton - Chief of Staff to the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
· Edwina Doyle Greenaway - Head of Channel Marketing
· Wayne Greenaway - Senior Director of Delivery, Tundra Technical Solutions
· Denise Andrea Campbell, Executive Director, Social Development, Finance & Administration, City of Toronto
· Julien Christian Lutz pka Director X - Founder, Operation Prefrontal Cortex
· Roxanne M. Francis - Psychotherapist and Social Worker
· Curtis Carmichael - Futurist, Social Entrepreneur and Author, Butterflies in the Trenches
· Cheryl Blackman - Interim General Manager Economic Development & Culture, City of Toronto
· Dr. Akwatu Khenti - Special Advisor to the City of Toronto’s COVID-19 Equity Initiative
· Marci Ien - Member of Parliament, House of Commons
· Justice Donald McLeod - Ontario Supreme Court Justice
· Fennella Bruce - Media Consultant, FKB Media Solutions
· Robert Young - Creator, Unmask Fear & Chief Storyteller, R7
“To UNMASK FEAR is to engage the unknown and erase ignorance with truth,” explains multimedia storyteller Robert Young. “When truth is revelated in its entirety, humankind will find that we are all on the same side of the sun and therefore compassion for one another will be reflected in positive right-action in the light of adaptation.”
Among his many credits - most notably on June 4th, 2020 - Young created the original digital mock-up for the world-famous Black Lives Matter mural activated on 16th Street in front of the White House on June 5th, 2020. Young’s signature series and most recognized international visual arts campaign, YOUNG WORLD FACES began in 2009 and went on to become the literal face of the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games online and at CIBC’s national headquarters. It has been viewed worldwide through activations hosted by the Royal Ontario Museum for Canada 150, Miami Dolphins' Hard Rock Stadium for El Clásico Miami and Harbourfront Centre for Island Soul.
“There is such power and grace in Robert Young’s portraits and in the accompanying uncut video stories. Their giant scale on our main building, overlooking the public square brings both a message of accountability, of celebration and of achievement,” says Chief Programming Officer Iris Nemani. “We are happy to be working with Robert Young again, launching this installation during ArtworxTO, this important year of Public Art.”
“Robert is a gifted storyteller. I am pleased that we are able to reunite to showcase his creativity in our larger-than-life formats. added Bob Leroux, Vice-President National Sales, Pattison Outdoor Advertising. “When Robert shared his most recent photo, No Fear, I was awestruck and knew that we had to share this dynamic and inspiring message across the country.”
Also supported by ArtworxTO, the Unmask Fear Canada installation will remain at Harbourfront throughout the Fall.
“Toronto’s Year of Public Art was created so that we could recognize and showcase our talented artists and their work across our city. Art has always been a way for us to set aside differences, appreciate each other and to share our stories – Unmask Fear is a powerful example of that,” says Toronto Mayor John Tory. “I want to thank Robert Young for his work and for sharing the untold stories of Black Canadian men and women during a time in which racial injustice has been a timely and significant topic. I encourage residents to check out ArtworxTO over the next year and to support artists across our city.”
Robert Young is only available October 7th and 8th for in-person/on-site interviews.
Media Registration Required for Official Launch Reception
Media Contact: Fennella Bruce | Fennella@FKBMedia.com | 647.290.7610
Access Media Assets HERE Access website HERE
About Robert Young
A multimedia storyteller with an unprecedented list of accomplishments behind and in front of the camera, Robert Young is highly experienced in the documentation, direction and presentation of strategic communications that serve the public interest.
Young has created, led and managed multimedia projects with accumulated production value in excess of $50 million. He has proudly donated his time and company services to charitable initiatives and organizations, helping them secure over $2.5 million in donations. Young has produced and executed branded interactive experiences and digital advertising assets for international engagements with operating budgets totaling over $3 billion.
His career in storytelling began in Toronto in 1993 with the launch of his live performance poetry series: All Truths Spoken Are Poetry In Motion, a safe platform for Canadian-Caribbean immigrant youth to share their stories.
About Harbourfront Centre
Harbourfront Centre is a leading international centre for contemporary arts, culture and ideas, and a registered, charitable not-for-profit cultural organization operating a 10-acre campus on Toronto’s central waterfront. Harbourfront Centre provides year-round programming 52 weeks a year, seven days a week, supporting a wide range of artists and communities. We inspire audiences and visitors with a breadth of bold, ambitious and engaging experiences, and champion contemporary Canadian artists throughout their careers, presenting them alongside international artists, and fostering national and international artistic exchange between disciplines and cultures. Harbourfront Centre gratefully acknowledges the generous funding and programming support of its Site Partners: The Government of Canada and The City of Toronto; Programming Partners: The Government of Canada; The Government of Ontario; Ontario Arts Council; Canada Council for the Arts and The City of Toronto.
About ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021-2022
Unmask Fear is part of ArtworxTO: Toronto's Year of Public Art 2021–2022, a year-long celebration of Toronto’s exceptional public art collection and the creative community behind it. Working closely with artists and Toronto’s arts institutions, ArtworxTO will deliver major public art projects and commissions, citywide, from fall 2021 to fall 2022. Supporting local artists and new artworks that reflect Toronto's diversity, ArtworxTO is creating more opportunities for citizens to engage with art in their everyday lives. This September, the City of Toronto invites the public to discover creativity and community–everywhere. Visit www.artworxTO.ca for full details.
Photo Courtesy of Anil Mathi