Based in Tiohtiá:ke (Montreal) on unceded Kanien'kehá:ka territory, Leigh Kotsilidis writes poems and creates art installations, performances, and stop-motion animations. Generally interested in knowledge production and how we arrive at meaning in the face of a dominating discourse of uncertainty, Kotsilidis uses prevalent scientific theories and understandings as her starting point. Through the reframing of this familiar language—whether via visual, written, or aural—Kotsilidis strives to provoke new, informed, and critical ways of thinking about the intersections of science, nature, and humanity, as they relate to the choices we make in our personal lives and as citizens.
Her more recent projects include: Scientists for Love, an organization devoted to creating events that use scientific methodology as a conductor for social energy and human connection; a series of stop-motion animations created for the film 13, un Ludodrame sur Walter Benjamin by Carlos Ferrand; Lady into Fox, a performative art installation exhibited at the Redpath Museum, Montreal; Rare Birds, an art installation exhibited at Mouse Print Gallery, Montreal; and a full-length poetry collection, Hypotheticals, published with Coach House Books.
Also passionate about community-building she creates, directs, and curates projects focused on shaping unique experiences that generate safe spaces for open dialogue and meaningful relations. Currently these projects include, Scientists for Love, General Audience, and Rocket Science Room.