St. Michael’s Ukrainian Church

Commissioned by the Carleton Immersive Media Studio (CIMS) this video was the centrepiece of a proposal that lead to the extensive Cultural Diversity and Material Imagination in Saskatchewan Architecture (CDMISA) project. The subsequent project was conducted in August 2008 and July 2009, and was commissioned by the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation, MITACS Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada - Heritage Conservation Directorate, and AutoDesk Canada. According to CIMS: "The Cultural Diversity and Material Imagination in Saskatchewan Architecture (CDMISA) project is concerned with the documentation, dissemination, and conservation of ethno-cultural building technologies brought to Canada by immigrant communities. While the process of cataloguing historically significant, ethno-cultural buildings and building typologies is well underway, a systematic register addressing the fabrication of Canada's architectural heritage remains to be developed. Cultural Diversity and Material Imagination in Saskatchewan Architecture (CDMISA) is a first step in addressing this lacuna. We argue that the methods and materials of construction used by immigrant communities make visible the rich cultural diversities that characterize this country and therefore constitute an invaluable heritage resource. Further, our preliminary research suggests that buildings fabricated by the hands of community members and used specifically for religious practice are particularly relevant in this regard. Built by the community, for the community, churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples remain particularly resistant to cultural assimilation. As such, community-built religious structures present a unique opportunity for the documentation of ethno-cultural building technologies. The de-population of rural areas, loss of specialized and skilled tradespersons, complex building codes, and gentrification, are all threats to this fragile cultural resource. For current and future generations, the documentation and dissemination of these traditional methods of construction are essential for a sustained, inclusive cultural memory. More practically, and equally pressing, the preservation of these technologies is essential for the conservation of our built heritage." To learn more about the CDMISA project see: cims.carleton.ca/projects/view/31 Free soundtrack “RestTime” by Sal Randolph of Opsound: opsound.org/artist/macroform/