TAKAYA (NFT Series)

Ross Koopmans

‘Takaya’ is an art series that exists as a collection of 5 NFTs (digital art pieces that are sold online in return for cryptocurrency), where each audio-visual piece connects to a song off his next album (‘Takaya’).  The lone wolf ‘Takaya’ became the focal point to the series, embodying its themes of solitude, ethereal beauty and spiritual transcendence in contact with the natural world. The series takes place at 5 remote destinations in BC.

Pictured here is the first piece, ‘First Snow’. It was shot with collaborator Štěpánka Silná at Joffre Lake with the magical feeling of experiencing first snow that year. The photo was then digitally manipulated and musically scored to create an infinitely looping dream-world.

Takaya’s Epic Journey

Brad Howland & Victoria Chamber Orchestra

Takaya’s Epic Journey imagines what his journey to the islands may have been like – including iconic Vancouver Island wildlife he may have met along the way – and depicts his relocation to Port Renfrew and subsequent death at the hands of a hunter. Takaya’s Epic Journey is intended to be performed on "kid's concerts" or educational performances, and could be paired with other pieces such as Peter and the Wolf.

The Ballad of Takaya

Jon Middleton

Jon Middleton is a singer / songwriter from Victoria, BC. He also plays in the group Jon & Roy. He wrote this beautiful song following the shooting of Takaya.

Raven Called Crow

by Jade Bell & Blind Focus

Since 2008, Jade Bell has been bringing his critically acclaimed, award-winning poetry to life in the form of music. With his continuously evolving and expanding assembly of musicians known as Blind Focus, Bell’s compositions have grown into a unique blend of acoustic folk, soul and blues to accompany his authentic and unprecedented literary work. A lyricist of exceptionally rare talent, Jade Bell has successfully found the connection between emotive words and passionate melodies, carrying his listeners on a soulful journey through sound.

Takaya

Mike Reynolds

Mike Reynolds is a retired musician from Scotland. He composed and sang this song to honour Takaya after being inspired by his life. When he wrote this song he didn’t yet know that Takaya had been killed.

Takaya: Le Loup Solitaire

Steven Omnes

Musique composée au piano et clip vidéo en hommage à Takaya, tué au mois de Mars 2020 par des chasseurs. Merci à la photographe Cheryl Alexander, qui prise d’affection pour cet animal l’a suivi pendant 7 ans et a rassemblé au cours de ces dernières années des vidéos/photos magnifiques du loup Takaya.

Piano music and video clip in tribute to Takaya, killed on March 2020 by hunters. Thanks to the photographer Cheryl Alexander, who fell in love with the wolf, and followed him during seven years, taking magnificent videos/pictures of the wolf Takaya.

Takaya’s Song

Delphina Nova

Delphina is a member of the Anishnaabe/Metis nations and was born in Sudbury, Ontario. She now makes her home in Victoria, BC.

She wrote and performed this song in honour of Takaya, along with Alan Slade on piano.

Delphina’s children's book, Turtle's Dream, and her art and storytelling can be viewed on her Instagram account, @delphina_art.