Time is of the Essence

Time is of the Essence is a multidisciplinary body of work by artist Katie Kehoe that presents speculative survival architecture and performative interventions in response to the growing threat of climate-induced wildfires. Carried out in rural Nova Scotia, CAN, the site-specific project comprises installation, performance, photography, and wearables to imagine a future shaped by extreme weather. Central to the work is a large, wildfire shelter and series of wearables, created to have the appearance of offering protection. Performing a fictional persona—the Survival Architect—Kehoe carries of a series of actions to assess and mitigate wildfire risk, documenting these herself with timed photography. Inspired by Canada’s 2023 record-breaking wildfire season, Time is of the Essence connects speculative artwork with lived ecological realities, foregrounding art and imagination as crucial tools for envisioning a sustainable future.