Experience history.

Patterns & Parallels: The Great Imperative to Survive, on loan from the Roberta Bondar Foundation, will make its Toronto debut at the Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre on May 6, 2024!

 

Patterns & Parallels features photography from Dr. Roberta Bondar, the first female Canadian astronaut, to tell the story of the migratory patterns of three bird species: the Whooping Crane, Lesser Flamingo and Piping Plover. Dr. Bondar travelled to Piping Plover and Whooping Crane habitats across North America, including Ontario, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories. To photograph Lesser Flamingos, she travelled to Kenya and Tanzania in the East African Rift Valley. Taking up-close photos on the ground and aerial photos from helicopters, Dr. Bondar captured these three species from multiple perspectives. As a principal investigator (bird migration) with NASA’s Earth Observation group, Dr. Bondar also partnered with astronauts aboard the International Space Station to photograph the vast distances of migratory corridors from space.  

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The exhibition features large, dramatic colour images taken by Dr. Bondar and selected NASA space images, as well as video installations. QR codes at the exhibition create an interactive learning experience, allowing visitors access to digital learning opportunities including animations, audio from Dr. Bondar, and additional videos taken in the field.  

 

Patterns & Parallels is a key part of the Roberta Bondar Foundation’s Space For Birds project, which uses photography to create a visual story that will help us understand the biodiversity of nature and the impact of human actions and climate change on bird migration and habitat loss. The exhibition launched at the Art Gallery of Algoma in Sault Ste. Marie, Dr. Bondar’s hometown, and travelled to Science North in Sudbury, prior to its next stop at the Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre. It will travel to other venues in Ontario before moving across Canada over the next two years.

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Visiting Hours

Visiting Hours for the public will be announced in April 2024

Private bookings, class and group tours, and other inquiries can be directed to info@LakeshoreGrounds.ca

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About the Roberta Bondar Foundation 

The Roberta Bondar Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable organization that takes an inspiring approach to understanding our growing environmental challenges. The Foundation fuses environmental science and visual art through nature photography to bring people closer to nature. The Foundation’s programs are designed to promote curiosity, respect for and protection of the environment while building healthier lives.