![Plants in this garden share one thing in common: A PROBLEMATIC PAST](https://cdn.magzter.com/1704825715/1719121926/articles/YQdMpugGb1719141376930/PLANTS-IN-THIS-GARDEN-SHARE-ONE-THING-IN-COMMON-A-PROBLEMATIC-PAST.jpg)
At first glance, the plants don’t appear to have much in common, but small green signs poking out of the soil next to each plant tell the deeper story behind what they all share: a troubling past.
The garden is part of “Botannica Tirannica,” a new exhibit at Koffler Arts located inside Artscape Youngplace at 180 Shaw St., which examines the plants and plant names that have perpetuated and symbolized social prejudices against marginalized groups through a multimedia exhibit with hybrid images of plants created through the use of AI.
Award-winning Brazilian artist Giselle Beiguelman, who created this exhibit, worked alongside Isaac Crosby, a local Black and Ojibwa agricultural expert and knowledge keeper, to include a Canadian colonial context.
Crosby is known for his work revitalizing Indigenous traditional practices like phytoremediation — using plants to clean up contaminated environments — and mentoring Indigenous students through gardening projects across the city.
\Among those, he is the lead Indigenous gardener at Evergreen Brickworks, where he has worked to create Indigenous cultural and green spaces in the once industrialized area.
The garden puts the plants’ problematic names, scientific names and their original Indigenous names on display, such as dieffenbachia, called “dumb cane,” which was used by plantation owners to torture enslaved people, as it makes the mouth swell when eaten. Crosby hopes learning about this history will encourage people to begin using the plant’s traditional Indigenous names, a step, he says, toward revitalizing Indigenous languages and culture.
He took a break from gardening to speak to the Star about his garden and the exhibit, which runs until Oct. 20.
Bu hikaye Toronto Star dergisinin June 23, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Toronto Star dergisinin June 23, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
![The immortality of vampire films](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/03dgT_GRe1720088028586/THE-IMMORTALITY-OF-VAMPIRE-FILMS.jpg)
The immortality of vampire films
Anew Canadian entry puts an idiosyncratic spin on the mythology of the undead
![WHAT directors WEAR](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/y8aWcG8js1720087871307/WHAT-DIRECTORS-WEAR.jpg)
WHAT directors WEAR
In a new book from A24, the elements of auteur style get a close-up
![Life and death and robots](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/j8ooIVTPQ1720087675610/LIFE-AND-DEATH-AND-ROBOTS.jpg)
Life and death and robots
Rashida Jones dives into grief, loneliness and living with AI in Sunny’
![Argentina loaded without Messi](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/R4gWBVb7a1720087555916/ARGENTINA-LOADED-WITHOUT-MESSI.jpg)
Argentina loaded without Messi
Superstar will be game-time decision against Ecuador in the quarterfinals
![Ejim is a leader but no lock](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/Z8tsG2SWN1720087490580/EJIM-IS-A-LEADER-BUT-NO-LOCK.jpg)
Ejim is a leader but no lock
As Canada pares camp roster, seven contenders remain for three jobs
![Final goes through Atlantic](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/Z8fGWt19l1720087359716/FINAL-GOES-THROUGH-ATLANTIC.jpg)
Final goes through Atlantic
Leafs making solid moves, but so are the Panthers, Lightning and Bruins
![Andreescu shows mental toughness](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/pdwoeR50J1720087248772/ANDREESCU-SHOWS-MENTAL-TOUGHNESS.jpg)
Andreescu shows mental toughness
Deft, straight-sets win over Noskova propels Canadian to third round, matching personal best
![Reaching for the stars](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/UDLo37GXV1720087038212/REACHING-FOR-THE-STARS.jpg)
Reaching for the stars
Guerrero is an all-star starter again after jump-starting his bat
![Rental demand still outpaces supply despite new starts](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/E2cTJo9MT1720086936222/RENTAL-DEMAND-STILL-OUTPACES-SUPPLY-DESPITE-NEW-STARTS.jpg)
Rental demand still outpaces supply despite new starts
RBC says more developments needed to fill backlog
![LCBO strike looms as talks go down to the wire](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/Hk5FwpB5G1720086803190/LCBO-STRIKE-LOOMS-AS-TALKS-GO-DOWN-TO-THE-WIRE.jpg)
LCBO strike looms as talks go down to the wire
Union fighting against province's decision to expand alcohol market