Particulate Matter x Midge Swarm

2025 | Interactive Installation

Particulate Matter x Midge Swarm is an interactive dual-channel projection responding to the environmental crisis in Sarnia’s Chemical Valley—home to Canada’s worst air quality. The project reflects on the harm caused by petrochemical industries, particularly to the Aamjiwnaang and Walpole Island First Nations. In Particulate Matter, viewers control a digital smog screen with a throttle controller, revealing a surreal industrial landscape, while triggering sirens, local voices, and media clips. Midge Swarm, in contrast, immerses viewers in a vibrant wetland. Spectators can clear the swarm of midges by waving their arms, and perform a wetland soundscape on a midi board. Installed in proximity, this installation asks audiences to dwell in sites of remedy and complicity in the spoils of capitalist extraction.

This project is part of Pluriversal Worlding with Extended Reality, a research-creation project supported by Connected Minds, VISTA, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Mitacs, Queens University, and York University. Particulate Matter x Midge Swarm is a collaboration with Christina Dovolis, Jorge De Oliveira, Luka Kuplowsky, Dolleen Tisawii’ashii Manning, and Mary Bunch.

Screenings
2026 – Group Exhibition – Available Light Film Festival – Whitehorse, Canada
2025 – Group Exhibition – Electronic Literature Conference – Toronto, Canada
2025 – Group Exhibition – University Art Association of Canada – Toronto, Canada
2025 – Group Exhibition – Connected Minds Conference – Toronto, Canada