MINO BIMAADIZIWIN, GOOD LIFE, 2024

Mino Bimaadiziwin, Good Life, 2024–Indigenous-Led and Artist-Centered–stands tall and proud to bring Indigenous culture and ways of life into the present and future.  

  
Located at Exhibition Place on the treaty and traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN), the 50m x 7m, monumental feature wall spans east to west, symbolizing the journey of a day and the cyclical nature of seasonal changes. The design emphasizes the importance of leading a balanced life, inviting visitors to reflect on the harmony of actions, thoughts, and existence in a holistic way through a narrative inscribed along the wall.
 
The initial design brief for this project aimed to construct a wall to reduce noise and block unsightly views from the adjacent freeway. However, STUDIO tla pushed the boundaries of this brief to enhance the feature wall beyond its original intent. We embarked on a collaborative design process that involved a three-year collaboration between STUDIO tla, Exhibition Place, the MCFN Cultural Committee, artists August and Luke Swinson from the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and local community input.
 
STUDIO tla successfully redefined the limits of constructability by integrating advanced modeling technologies and virtual reality visualization methods. The installation was designed as a three-dimensional feature composed of layered panels representing the Anishinabee clans' seven animal dodems, the four sacred medicines and life underwater, emphasizing the importance of the deep connection to the earth and the recognition of the interconnectedness of all creation.
 
One of the largest indigenous-designed, public art installations in Eastern Canada, its height, colours, daytime shadows and nighttime lighting ensure it will feature prominently both in Exhibition Place and from views along Toronto’s busy east-west highway.