Quilted Canopies by Shayla Bond & Anne Kobayashi (2024)
Up-cycled boat sails, nylon fabric, polyester thread and binding, reversible tape
Jury Selected Low-Sensory Installation for Nocturne Halifax

Quilted Canopies brings tranquility and a sense of shared community to Halifax's bustling Spring Garden area. This unique project introduces three circular play parachutes, varying in size—6’, 12’, and 20’—crafted from up-cycled boat sails and nylon fabric. Each parachute is designed to accommodate groups of varying sizes, allowing participants to engage in a collective act of lifting and gathering beneath the billowed canopies. This interaction creates serene, low-sensory havens that serve as microcosms of tranquility amidst urban chaos.

The design of each parachute is inspired by traditional quilts, blending aesthetic beauty with functional shelter. These parachutes, much like quilts, symbolize warmth, comfort, and community. They serve as canvases for shared experiences, where successful usage reflects the interdependence of individuals—highlighting how each person’s contribution helps to create a cohesive communal environment.

Quilted Canopies is an invitation to experience the power of collective action and the enchanting beauty of shared spaces.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the Toronto Harbour Nautical Centre, Bedford Basin Yacht Club, Armdale Yacht Club, and the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron for their generous donations of sails, which have been instrumental in the creation of Quilted Canopies.