Field Notes exhibition

(Re)mediating Soils: Field Notes is the result of a collaboration between the University of Lethbridge Art Gallery, the Yukon Art Centre, the Woodstock Art Gallery, and the McMaster Museum of Art. This is the first exhibition in a series that will be presented across Canada. Funded by a SSHRC grant, the project includes residencies in Treaty 7/Alberta, the Yukon, and Ontario that bring artists, scientists, cultural scholars, gardeners, and farmers together to focus on soil as a relational medium.

Soil is so much more that just dirt, soil is a process – it is the residue of actions across periods of time, and it is necessary for the future of this planet. As an avid gardener, I know that one derives pleasure and gleans so much information from digging and studying the various layers. Soil is home to microorganisms, fungi, insects, and plants, all of which make life on earth possible.

The (Re)mediating Soils research project arises from understanding that there is much in common between art and soil: both encourage us to slow down, to observe closely, and to appreciate the small details. We are also aware that soil isn’t flashy, it doesn’t demand respect nor benefit from charismatic species that grab the spotlight.

Our research team wants to spark interdisciplinary conversations and give soil the attention it deserves, and the four art galleries want to support artists making artworks that address, and play with, the ways soil and art intersect.

There will be some of the same artwork that travels to all the exhibitions in combination with custom installations for each location. For ULethbridge, Beany Dootjes is presenting jars of preserves with veggies, berries, and fruit from her urban garden and Api’soomaahka is sharing his expert knowledge about Blackfoot land, minerals, and plants.