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The heart of the project lies in the (85 percent authentic) story of a friendship betweenTomThomson
andGeorgeNadjiwon, a youngman fromCape Croker reserve.
Betwixt &Between
will be amultilevel-
platformproject thatwill incorporatenew technologies such asAugmentedReality and virtual experience
through a dedicated website and app development. This project will be a prototype, providing an
opportunity to engage with established audiences but also to engage in themodesmost relevant to non-
traditional gallery audiences.
OpeningMay28 at theTOM, the exhibition includes the creationof agame that canbeplayed either online
or physically, following themodel set out through geocaching.The game is intended to be entertaining but
also educational and the exhibitionwill connect aspects of it to education curriculum so that it can be used
by schools. In the book
Critical Play: Radical Game Design
, authorMary Flanaganwrites: “Formany game
players, games exist for entertainment, for passing the time, for fun.They are a diversionary activity, meant
for relaxationordistraction—a ‘not-work’ spacewhereplayers are free toengage in fantasynarratives, amazing
feats, and rewarding tasks.Butwhat if certaingameshavebecome somethingmore?What if somegames, and
themore general concept of ‘play,’ not only provide outlets for entertainment but also function as ameans
for creative expression, as instruments for conceptual thinking, or as tools tohelp examine ourwork through
social issues?”
Betwixt&Between
aims tocreate thatkindofplatformandexperience througha“game”andall
the components of theproject—virtual andphysical—will tie into that.
The time period the exhibition covers includes key dates inCanadian history and looks at issues including
treatment of First Nations, women’s rights, independence and ideas around nationhood while addressing
constructedhistoricalnarratives that ignoreorobscuredifferentvoices.Acomprehensiveeducational curriculum
has beendeveloped to accompany the exhibition.
Thehistorical events explored in this exhibition are still relevant, especially as it looks seriously andhonestly
at the injustices perpetuated against First Nations people. The development of this exhibition has been
guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations and with ongoing dialogue and
guidance from the participating FirstNations artists and advisors.This project will provide an opportunity
for different generations and communities towork together, andoffer a unique experience for visitors of all
ages to learn about the past anddream about the future. Imagine.
GeorgeNadjiwon’s inscription.WILLYWATERTONPHOTO
