Animator // Sierra (ONE18 Empire - 820 Centre Street)
Article// Kristy Archibald & Jenna Cavanagh

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself!
A: Other than making stuff - I love cows, eating veggies, and I just graduated from Central Saint Martins studying graphic design.

Q: Tell us about the work you usually do as an animator.
A: Draw. A LOT!!! Paint. A LOT! (But I should be painting more) And I also like to write.

Q: How would you describe your artistic “style”?
A: I’m not sure if I have a style, I just try to create whatever comes naturally to me. I’ve never been able to stick to one thing.

Q: What is one of your most recent projects, or a project you’re most proud of working on?
A: I’m working on an animation about pasta with an awesome team.

Q: What was the inspiration or story behind Sierra?
A:  I did a painting before of the houses I can see outside my window when it snows, so I kind of just went off of that.

Q. How did the AR aspect of this exhibition influence how you animated Sierra?
A: I wanted to just have fun with it and Kristen [Carleton] felt the same, so we let each other have a lot of freedom. I thought since she was using lots of colour, I would keep it simple and black and white so that it would go well together.

Q: In your opinion, what makes Calgary a special place to be in the wintertime?
A: The bunnies! And the colours… even though it’s freezing the colours are beautiful.

Q: What would you say to convince Calgarians to come downtown and interact with the Northern Reflections Window Exhibition?
​A: I think it will be really cool to see how everyone has thought about it differently.  

Facebook: michellekukumoo
Instagram: @michellekuku
Photography by Kuni Kawashima