Myths, Home and Self Portraiture
Imagery, Identity and Culture
April 28, 2019
Wendy Red Star and Kambui Olujimi addressed themes of Identity through the different concepts we have been discussing in class that circle back to internal and external influences. Wend Red Star did her exhibit based on the Crow Tribe's culture. She was able to articulate a message of culture, history, feminism, and identity through a combination of portraiture, textiles, photography, and timeline. Something I personally gravitated to was how she broke down each person through her own eyes in the black and white portraits with the red script. She showed how they were in society or in their families. Her little notes that were written around the portraits were witty, informative, and really helped expose more about Wendy's personality. I also loved how she really allowed the audience to experience the environments of the reservation. Like the images of the homes, tipis, and cars. Personally where I grew up and the actual setting of my childhood is something that I hold very dear. My family was always constantly switching cars and trucks and those transitions really informed a lot about the state of our lives at the time. I actually never really reflected on that until I saw her pictures. It was definitely very inviting to be able to see that side of her cultural journey. The stuffed animals is something that I feel holds a part of the myth and tradition. It's more of a youthful, naive, or pure form of stories being told and how children expand on how they see traditions and narratives. Wendy Red Star's overall concept behind her exhibit is very rich and rooted. She was able to show how not only Colonials have determined the Crow's place, but how the Crow within their tradition itself, have created boundaries. You can see that through the portraitures as well, with how specific people are looked at in society. You can also see that through the different clothing and outfits design for different people. Seeing the timeline was really interesting because the audience was able to see how traditions have changed overtime and how it started off and where they are now. Something else that grabbed my attention was the map with all the locations and how they all connect. That was basically data visualization and it was really cool seeing geographically the connection between everything. Kambui Olujimi's work most definitely felt mythical. He was referencing stars and constellations and how that connects with identity. In the beginning of the video that he directed, the character ate something that brought him to completely different worlds. It kept jumping from different stories, naratives, and experiences. I wasn't able to get much of it, but I was able to capture certain moments like the protest, the wedding dress, the funeral, etc. I'm not sure but it felt like he discussing major moments in life, or experiences that can really define or influence society or someone's identity. But I think he wanted the audience to feel a little confused, because the beginning where the character ate something that took him on a trip, was very clear and so it seems that if he wanted to make everything else clear, he could have but intentionally chose not to. I definitely did feel a sense of a allegorical dimensions and just mythical take on life experiences. Overall both artists showed a sense of layers and just an exciting amount of conceptual material, which something I always appreciate and take notice of.
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