The exhibition spotlights emerging youth artists selected for their thought-provoking works that responded to the Counterbalance theme. As power structures shape and shift, artists act as a counterbalancing force, championing transparency and accountability towards our shared humanity and responsibility to the land and its ecologies. The following artists were selected to present their pieces during Opening Night at OCAD University Waterfront Campus, between 6–10 p.m. on 3 April 2025: 

Featured Artists and Artworks:

1. Ailin Dong (Canada) – Knitting Echoes: Dong's multidisciplinary piece uses textiles and technology to symbolize democracy's resilience under technological authoritarianism, presenting fabric as a living metaphor for identity negotiation.
2. Alicia Hrvatin (Canada) – Transform: Hrvatin’s interactive work invites audiences to engage with the effects of digital surveillance and algorithms on personal and collective socio-political perspectives.
3. Kroplya (Estonia / EU) – Zelenka: This Belarus-born artist’s multimedia installation sheds light on the complexities of borders as humanitarian traps, shaped by bureaucracy and ideology, where individual identity is overshadowed by political structures.

Workshops and Interactive Opportunities:

Two of the participating artists will also lead interactive workshops designed to deepen public engagement with the exhibition's themes. From algorithmic bias to the reinvention of traditional crafts as resistance tools, these sessions will inspire participants to reflect on art as a medium for critical dialogue and societal transformation.

Workshop Details:

On Saturday, April 5 at Toronto Metropolitan University, (55 Dundas St. W), the following workshops will be offered to DXC25 attendees:

• Algorithms & Us: (Alicia Hrvatin) at 12:30 pm
• Knitting Echoes: Weaving Identity and Resistance (Ailin Dong) at 1:40 pm

Through the Counterbalance exhibition, DXC25, OCAD U and the EU, are championing the voices of youth artists; elevating their work and fostering critical conversations on how art can resist suppression and inspire new democratic futures.

About DemocracyXChange:

DemocracyXChange (DXC) connects, celebrates and equips people who are taking action to strengthen democracy. Co-produced by OCAD U, The Open Democracy Project and the Dais at TMU, Canada’s premier annual democracy summit takes place in Toronto from April 3–5, 2025. Join us and help tackle today’s most urgent civic issues. Challenge assumptions and take action.

Web: democracyxchange.org | Instagram:@democracyxchange  | X: @dxcsummit | Facebook: dxcsummit | LinkedIn: democracyxchange | #DXC25

About OCAD U

OCAD University, Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university, is a world-famous hub for art, design and digital media education, research and innovation. We embrace collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art, design-thinking curriculum and research. Students benefit from hands-on studio learning and have access to state-of-the-art shops and studios for both traditional and digital creation. Alongside a diverse and supportive team of instructors and peers, our students gain employable skills. Graduates work in different sectors such as urban planning, environmental design, gaming, film, animation, publishing, illustration, graphic design, visual arts and arts administration.

For inquiries or an interview, please contact Karen McCarthy, Director of Communications and Media, at 514-826-0597 or kmccarthy@ocadu.ca

Web: OCAD University | X: @OCAD | Facebook: ocaduniversity | 

Instagram: @ocaduniversity | TikTok: @ocaduniversity 

About the Delegation of the European Union to Canada

The Delegation of the European Union to Canada is the official diplomatic representation of the European Union in Canada. As the EU's primary presence in the country, we work to strengthen political, economic, and cultural ties between the European Union and Canada. We facilitate dialogue on shared priorities including trade, climate action, security, and innovation through the implementation of the EU-Canada Strategic Partnership Agreement and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Our team promotes EU policies and interests, fosters people-to-people connections, and supports collaboration in research, education, and cultural exchanges. The Delegation serves as a vital link between Canadian stakeholders and EU institutions, while also providing information services to the public on EU developments and initiatives.

Web: EU Delegation to Canada | Facebook: EUinCanada |  Instagram: EUinCanada |  LinkedIn: Delegation of the European to Canada

For press inquiries or to schedule an interview with the artists, please contact: eupopcanada@gopa-pace.com