MniSota: Reflections of Time and Place

MniSota Image

Duluth, MN, May 7, 2012—On view from May 29 through August 26, 2012, at the Tweed Museum of Art, Mni Sota: Reflections of Time and Place features works by 17 extraordinary Native American artists from the Minnesota region. An opening reception takes place Tuesday, June 12, 2012 from 5–7 p.m. All exhibits are free and open to the public!


COMMUNITY EVENT: Saturday, July 21, 2–4 p.m. at the American Indian Community Housing (AICHO)

 

FAMILY DAY: Saturday, August 25, 2–4 pm. at Tweed

This extraordinary traveling exhibit showcases the innovation and beauty of Native American artists whose ingenuity promotes cultural continuity. The artists of Mni Sota provide stunning examples of ways in which Native artists of the Minnesota region continue to embrace the contemporary while supporting tradition.


Featured Artists
Featured artists in this exhibit include: Ahmoo Angeconeb, Lac Seul First Nation Ojibwe, Greg Bellanger, White Earth Band of Ojibwe, Todd Bordeaux, Sicangu Lakota and Dakota, Carol Charging Thunder, Oohenunpa and Oglala Lakota, Pat Kruse, Red Cliff Band of Ojibwe and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Denise Lajimodiere, Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe, Orvilla Longfox, Assiniboine, Melvin Losh, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Cheryl Minnema, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Wanesia Spry Misquadace, Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe, Norval Morrisseau, Sandy Lake First Nation Ojibwe, Sandra Panachyse, Canupawakpa Dakota and Mishkeegogamang Ojibwa, Joe Savage, Fond Du Lac Band of Ojibwe, Chholing Taha, Cree First Nations, Cecile Taylor, Spirit Lake Dakota and Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe, Gwen Westerman, Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota, Delina White, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Bobby Wilson, Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota, and Francis Yellow, Itazipco Lakota.
This one-of-a-kind exhibit explores and continues to expand the idea of “traditional” Native American art. The dialog that emerges between pieces in the exhibit generally categorized as “traditional” and those categorized as “contemporary,” highlights the dynamic nature of culture encouraging a broader understanding of tradition. The line that has historically existed between tradition and contemporary begins to dissolve as we recognize innovation as a tradition.


“That’s what makes this exhibition so exciting— by exploring the ideas of traditional art through a lens that recognizes innovation as a central theme we are able to feature a wide range of artists, some without any previous exhibition experience, yet all truly worthy of such accolades. There are so many profoundly talented artists in the Native community, yet they often remain tucked away out of the public eye as “traditional” arts are rarely recognized in the gallery system.” - Dyani White Hawk, Curator

“Minnesota” comes from the Dakota words “mni sota” which have been translated as “clouds reflecting in water,” “smoky water,” or “cloudy water,” all of which illustrate how our understanding of place has been defined by our surroundings. We use it here as an analogy to describe the innovative shifts of traditional arts throughout time to reflect the current landscape. As a culture whose arts are generally expected to evoke the past, it is not often that innovation is at the forefront of discussion regarding Native American arts. In fact, the historical objects we are so familiar with are only a snapshot of time, and represent a small fraction of the creative arts of Native peoples. Each generation’s work has built upon what has been established by the previous generations, incorporating new materials and media. Innovation is the soul of living art. Each generation, from historic times to the present, was creating contemporary art. The works included in Mni Sota illustrate the importance and necessity of both tradition and innovation in sustaining cultural continuity. The works of these 17 artists span a wide range of practices from the very old to the very new. They provide stunning examples of the ways in which Native artists of the Minnesota region contribute to the artistic heritage of their people. These artists reflect both the unfaltering influences of change and the strength of our tribal nations. The dialog that emerges between pieces in the exhibit generally categorized as “traditional” and those categorized as “contemporary” emphasizes the dynamic nature of culture, encouraging a broader understanding of tradition. The works help us examine how these categorizing terms are associated with specific types of Native American art work, and how these associations came to be. The line that has historically existed between traditional and contemporary begins to dissolve as we recognize that innovation is and always has been a part of our traditions."
Publication Date