Myths, Home and Self-Portraiture

The exhibit in Newark Museum provided us with an immersive experience into the Native American culture. I found it beautiful and even mesmerizing due to all artifacts provided. The part that I enjoyed the most was the lodge that created an atmosphere of this culture, and I was able to experience it fully due to the graphics provided inside. The way that this lodge closed me off from the rest of the exhibit, made me focus on the environment, immersed me in that culture. It also made me think about the difference between homes and the definition of homes in different cultures. Another piece that made an impact on me were labeled portraits that pointed out to specific parts of the clothes and cultural pieces, and the meaning of them. This made me really look at the details of their garments and think how they played a big role in sculpturing their identity. This also connects to an idea of a myth that speaks to the “stories that play a fundamental role in a society”. Through the symbols portrayed and clothes, textures, textiles and even the lodge, exhibit shows the myths that were believed in the tribes. 

Kambui Olujim in his piece, similarly to the Wendy Red Star’ lodge immersed the viewer fully in the environment of myths and culture. The environment captivated everyone’s attention with a 360 view of the motion piece in a planetarium. I found it very interesting how the idea of myths of stars and wide open space and astrology’s influences society. It makes a connection between people thinking about global in a sense of the universe and global in a sense of global issues and current events that it connects to. The whole experience was confusing because of the combination between the audio and the visuals, which didn’t always make sense, but made the viewer think more and try to connect some of the visuals to their own lives and culture. 

This exhibit made me think about connections to my culture and how it plays a role in composing my identity. I think in my self-portrait, I want to include some parts that speak to my cultural identity, some Russian traditions that play a role in my life. Additionally, the labeled portraits inspired me, and I think of decomposing and pointing out to specific parts that create my identity. For example, point out to my short hair and speak to what it means to me and how society views women and girls with short hair. I will also point out and label my mouth and talk about the role of a personal voice and the power that it holds in society. Olujim’s piece inspired me to use layers and different overlays and textures in my piece. I would like to add this to all of the parts of my self-portrait in a sense creating layered collage which speaks to the multiple layers that we hold as individuals.