Rituals of Flight

Rituals of Flight brings together artists Angie Arsenault, Nelson MacDonald, and Robert Bean, all exploring the presence and patterns of crows and other black birds in Sydney’s Historic North End and Ashby neighbourhoods, mainland Nova Scotia, and farther afield. Through journals, film, and photography, the artists encourage the observer to look, listen, and reflect on their own recurring contact with birds. This ritual emphasizes keen observation and deep awareness of the interconnections between humans and avian species. Between us and the birds, the knowing goes both ways. The works collectively highlight the enduring presence of rituals between human and avian species, as well as the role of birds as historical and cultural messengers.