Room for Ursula Johnson: Mi’kwite’tmn (Do You Remember)

2025 | Academic | Collaboration with Rosa Lee | Professor Behnaz Assadi | Exhibition Design

For this exercise, our group designed a room to house Ursula Johnson’s basket weaving project, Mi’kwite’tmn (Do You Remember?). Johnson uses traditional Mi’kmaw basket weaving techniques to explore cultural identity, heritage, and the impact of colonialism. Her work challenges viewers to reflect on their role in sustaining or disrupting cultural narratives.

Through this exhibition, we aim to immerse the audience in the darkness experienced by Indigenous peoples, guiding them toward hope and reflection. The space is not just a setting for a performance—it is an experience that amplifies the meaning of Johnson’s work.

Inspired by the Mi’kmaw teepee, our design began as a simple, grounded form and was extended to accommodate an audience. A key element of the experience is the long underground passage, which serves as both a physical and emotional transition. Before reaching the performance space, visitors move through a moment of darkness and disorientation, mirroring the struggle and resilience embedded in Johnson’s work.