Critical Writing Index

Mike MacDonald Digital Garden

by Robin Metcalfe

Robin Metcalfe analyzes Mike MacDonald's exhibition "Digital Garden," at the Mount Saint Vincent University Art Gallery. MacDonald studies medicines from two competing perspectives, Mi'kmaq traditions and European science literature. His work repudiates the way in which media and European thought produce an idea of nature as narrative spectacle or informational collectibles. MacDonald is fascinated with the migration patterns of butterflies and their interdependence with plants. His work attempts to balance these two movements––migrating and settling––and provides an alternative approach to the power of European settlement. MacDonald defies European settlers' grasp for control and knowledge.

ITEM 2016.008 – available for viewing in the Research Centre

Videos, Artworks and Artists Cited

Touched by the Tears of a ButterflyMike MacDonald

Electronic TotemMike MacDonald

Seven SistersMike MacDonald

Ray Bradbury