EXHIBITION: INDIGENOUS SURVIVANCE 2022
“Anchored to Earth by Starlight – Decolonizing Night Sky” Multi-Sensory Digital Art Installation by Annette S. Lee 2022, part of the Small Group Exhibit “Indigenous Survivance”.
Abstract: The brilliance of the night sky has inspired and intrigued humanity throughout all time, all civilizations, and all cultures. It is woven into our survival and vibrancy – mind, body, heart, and spirit – as the human species. The sky transcends space, connecting us to other worlds like a portal. Sky transcends time, connecting us two-legged across the past, present, and future.
And yet because of the history of colonization, most people in the U.S. who look up at the stars see and know only one system. This single story has been promoted as the only story and is rooted in Western European cultures or the so-called ‘Greek system’ of constellations and cosmological philosophies.
Presented here is an experiential art installation called “Anchored to Earth by Starlight – Decolonizing Night Sky” which is part of a group show called “Indigenous Survivance” (St. John’s University, Art Center Gallery, Collegeville, Minnesota, Aug.29 through Oct. 29, 2022). The multi-layered experiential exhibit features a cinematic large-scale project embedded with spoken word art, a series of celestial-terrestrial mixed media paintings, and Indigenous star maps. All work is centered around rebuilding relationships with sky.
The hope is that in some way this work helps us to change our relationship with the sky, stars, and people. We are often led to believe that maps are subjective and full of facts, but in truth, maps are filled with the bias of the map-maker. Decolonization means pulling back the superficial layer and acknowledging the present as a moment in a wave of time that is intricately linked to the past and future. Just as an anchor keeps a ship grounded and centered, a relationship to the night sky gives us hope, strength, and purpose in these challenging times.
Photo Gallery:
EXHIBITION: INDIGENOUS SURVIVANCE 2022
The College of St. Benedict and. St. John’s University Fine Arts programming presents the exhibit Indigenous Survivance, August 29 – October 29, 2022.
Indigenous Survivance is an art exhibit that highlights some of the work of a number of Minnesota’s premiere Native artists. Vibrant works, in a number of mediums, tell the story of Native people, drawing on traditional wisdom and knowledge to impact contemporary issues and movements. Lakota and Ojibwe artists Annette S. Lee, Steve Premo, Laura Youngbird, Pat Kruse and Jonathan Thunder share their works to educate others about what it means to be Native and to inspire a whole new generation of Native artists to create art for continued Indigenous Survivance.
Educator Guide:
Annette S. Lee is a fiscal year 2022 recipient of a Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
