Katsitsahawi Capozzo Indian Paper Doll Guide to the past and the future!

Perhaps its the modern condition to be continually thinking of the future. Recently i've been considering what i will do in the next few years, but what about in a few hundred years? What will the future look like for First Nations, Metis and other indigenous peoples? For many people, it is important to know the past to understand the present and have insight into the future, First Nations artist Skawennati Tricia Fragnito created an Indian paper doll figure named "Katsitsahawi Capozzo" to imagine not only the past but the future too. Created for I.Witness, an installation by First Nations Artists at the Edmonton Art Gallery in November 2000, Fragnite's work helps us consider how First Nations and other Aboriginal groups will develop through her use of a timeline, starting with Tenochtitlan in 1490, through 1806 with Sacagawea

(image copyright of Skawennati - www.imaginingindians.net)
At each interval the viewer can read a journal entry, try on clothing for Ms. Capozzo and think about how First Nations histories have been imagined through various eyes. Ms. Capozzo also has an entry for the year 2000. I particularly enjoyed the entry for the year 2273, the Interplanetary Powwow, in which Ms. Capozzo wears an intergalactic jingle dress, inspired by futuristic "computer generated designs."

(image copyright of Skawennati - www.imaginingindians.net)
Artist Skawennati's timeline and journal entries are very optimistic and hold hope that commissions for Native rights across North America will be resolved within the next few hundred years. Its one imaginative way of considering how Aboriginal people will develop in the future. To view her website click here.

High Style - Métis Style Youtube NFB

In my effort to locate videos about Métis voyageurs on youtube for my upcoming presentation at the School for Advanced Research, I came across this video entitled “Canada Vignettes –Métis Coat.” Fiddle music is juxtaposed with drumming, and up close shots of the fine quillwork are interspersed in time to the music. The coat has fine petals and rosettes done in geometric designs, it appears to be a mid-nineteenth century coat frock coat. The fine quillwork and European tailoring make this a good example of Métis work from the Red River. I especially liked the narrators statement at the end,” a Métis coat as fine as silk and gold – high style … Métis style.” Indeed!

work work work

This week i've been doing a lot of reading, Mohawk Trail by Beth Brant, Me Sexy, a compilation of essays about Native sex and sexuality, Indigenous Experience Today and the list goes on. Im currently working on a paper tentatively called "Meditations on Place - Virtual Homelands for Métis."
In other art news, check out the globe and mail's review of "Close Encounters" an art exhibition featuring over 30 aboriginal artists from across the globe.

Kitsch and Awful "Native Inspired" Art

"Headdress Photo Frame" under "Cowboy, Indian and Southwest Decor" (image courtesy of Hobby Lobby)

Recently, i was in the infamous Hobby Lobby and came across a whole bunch of "native" kitsch stuff. Its so cheezy and demeaning and yet people buy it. Manufactured nostalgia for the misinformed imagination.. Check out how awful this "native" inspired art is on this great blog...


Awful "Native Inspired" Art: Everybody wants to be Poke-A-Hottie...er, I mean P...: "Blog Goddess Note:  This was one where I can't even show you the most 'Awful' things I found on the interwebs.  Why anyone would w..."