Cyesha Forde‘s 20/20 Project is an intergenerational photography project featuring participants ranging from youth to seniors from downtown Toronto. The public are invited to view the portraits of these participants, learn from their advice to their younger or older selves, and add to the portrait wall. Forde was chosen as a Youth Arts Ambassador for Ontario Culture Days, running September 30th through October 1st. We caught up with Forde this week.

Which participant was your​ favourite t​o work with, and why?

It sounds a bit cliché for me to say I loved working with all my participants, but I did! I would say working with Tanilyah, my youngest participant. I think it was just so effortless and easy to work with her because of her innocence. Tanilyah is who she is and doesn’t know how to be anyone else. She doesn’t care what you think, and she just wanted to talk to the camera. That carefree mentality is what I love about children and what I absolutely love about Tanilyah. She’s a character!

What was the most poignant advice from a senior that you uncovered?

Esther, who is my most senior participant, talks about loving herself, her journey and who she has become. I think especially as women, we can be too hard on ourselves, our bodies, and our thoughts. It was refreshing and inspiring to hear from someone who has been through so much in life, and who is proud of who they are and recognizes that everything happens for a reason. We all go through ups and downs, but it’s our entire journey that matters. Every happy moment, obstacle and trial makes us who we are at this very moment. There’s power in that journey, if we can only stop to realize it before it’s too late!

What was the most inventive advice from a young person?

Something that stood out for me was when working with Amerie, an eleven year old that is part of the project. We had a pre-meeting where we went over what the project was about, her role, what to expect when we met again for the photoshoot and helping her think through her letter. Fast forward two weeks and we are set to meet to go over her letter and do her portrait. Amerie decided that she would prefer to draw her letter as opposed to write her letter. She just decided that’s how it needed to be! And so that’s what you will see at The 20/20 Project: Amerie’s drawn letter.

What I loved about what Amerie did, was she didn’t let the presented parameters stop her from doing what felt right to her. She felt that drawing her letter was the right way to go, so she did it! I feel like as we get older, we are taught to work within the confines of whatever is presented to us. We have to actively think outside the box and follow our hearts. At age eleven, it’s simply part of our everyday life.

Why was it important for you to represent all the generations? 

I wanted the project to be intergenerational because it’s important that we reflect that at all ages we need to think about where we’ve been and where we’re going. In this day and age I feel like we are constantly on the go, constantly online, checking news feeds, keeping up with this fast-paced world. We don’t stop to smell the roses, live in the now, or reflect. I wanted to explore what that reflection was like at various stages of life. I wanted the five year old to think about what she wants to be when she grows up; I wanted the twenty-nine year old to impart wisdom to her younger, more insecure self; and I wanted the fifty-five year old to look back and appreciate her journey.

I also wanted the reflections of the participants to inspire and guide a deeper reflection from those who attend The 20/20 Project. Through interactive activities, attendees will partake in similar reflections and hopefully carry their revelations and lessons with them well beyond October 1st.

What was the most rewarding aspect of this project for you personally?

Honestly, putting together this whole exhibit has been my proudest and most rewarding moment. Knowing that I had a concept and executed it brings me so much joy. It has been a long road for this project, and I am beyond excited to see the final portraits and activities in full effect later this week! The moment those doors open and the first person steps in, I will be on cloud 9, and won’t be coming down anytime soon

See The 20/20 Project for yourself on Saturday October 1st from 4 to 6 p.m. @ Cambria (91 Parliament St). Get more info here.