Opening Celebration of New Exhibits: H2O + Responsibilities and Obligations

H₂O | Curated by Erin Lee Antanok

Responsibilities and Obligations:UNDERSTANDING MITÁKUYE OYÁSʼIŊ | Curated by Layli Long Soldier (Oglala Lakota), Clementine Bordeaux (Sicangu/Oglala Lakota), Mary V. Bordeaux (Sicangu/Oglala Lakota)

This opening celebration is free and open to the general public.

About the Exhibits:
H₂O is an exhibition that brings together artists from different backgrounds and cultures to explore water in all its forms. From polar ice caps to steaming geysers, water is found all over our planet and everywhere it exists, so does life. Multi-disciplinary performance and visual artists will speak to the power and sanctity of this simple molecule without which life as we know it would not be possible.

In the Exhibition:
Alluvium Ensemble
Dan Alley
Angela Faz
Maria Lino
Cannupa Hanska Luger
Dana and Ruth Kleinman
Sibylle Szaggars Redford
Monique Verdin

H₂O is curated by CAC’s Multidisciplinary Arts Curator. Antonak is a sculptor, a milliner, and a Wolf Clan member of the Oneida Indian Nation of New York. She holds a BFA from Bard College, an MFA from SUNY New Paltz, and has studied at Lacoste School of the Arts, France and Vermont Studio Center. She is currently the Multidisciplinary Arts Curator at the Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, the Board Chair of the Indigenous Women’s Voices Summit, Hurleyville, NY and serves as a Yale University Morse College Fellow, New Haven, CT. Erin has worked in various museums and art galleries developing, designing, and building exhibitions for over 20 years. She has organized and curated shows in Europe, Asia, and North America.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS UNDERSTANDING MITÁKUYE OYÁSʼIŊ
Mitákuye Oyásʼiŋ is a phrase in the Lakota language and culture that loosely translates to “we are all related” or “all my relatives.” It is used by Lakota and non-Lakota alike. The phrase has been appropriated as an all-encompassing idea of inclusiveness. This exhibition is a reflective journey highlighting Lakota female perspectives surrounding this idea and concept of Mitákuye Oyásʼiŋ. The project aims to engage Lakota artists, scholars and general audiences to reflect on the (mis)appropriation of this phrase through mixed and multimedia installations. The exhibition provides an opportunity to share the Lakota language and build understanding within the Titonwan communities as well as Native and non- Native populations through the arts and culture.

Artists and Co-Curators: Layli Long Soldier (Oglala Lakota), Clementine Bordeaux (Sicangu/Oglala Lakota), Mary V. Bordeaux (Sicangu/Oglala Lakota).

Community Participants:
The community participants contributed their thoughts and understandings to the exhibitions through interviews either through video and/or audio. These interviews informed the process of creating art in the exhibition.
Jace Decory, Mniconjou Lakota – Video interviewee
Dusty Nelson, Oglala Lakota – Video interviewee
Anges Picotte, Oglala Lakota – Audio interviewee
Mabel Picotte, Ihanktowan/Oglala Lakota – Video interviewee
Vi Waln, Sicangu Lakota – Audio interviewee
Autumn White Eyes, Oglala Lakota – Audio reading of a poem
Organized by Racing Magpie, Rapid City, South Dakota www.racingmagpie.org

Special Thanks:
Programming and Exhibitions at the Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans are made possible through generous support from: The Andrew Mellon Foundation; Art for Justice Fund, a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors; The Helis Foundation, the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Foundation; The Welch Foundation; The RosaMary Foundation; Greater New Orleans Foundation; National Performance Network; New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation; The Freeman-Woollam Foundation; CAC President’s Council members: Valerie Besthoff, Susan & Ralph Brennan, Dathel & Thomas Coleman, Robyn Dunn Schwarz and Andrew Schwarz, Aimée & Michael Siegel, Staci Rosenberg, Jane B. & Rodney Steiner, MK Wegman & Lisa Mount, Dian & Tom Winingder; and CAC Silver Circle members: Virginia Besthoff & Nancy Aronson, Jessica Bride & Nick Mayor, Jane Cooper & Bob Heaps, Leslie & Jonathan Fawer, John Foley, Tina Freeman & Philip Woollam, Gina Monette, Marcy H. Monrose Curtis & Charles Curtis, Greg Montgomery, Barbara & Biff Motley, Michael Schneider, Sharon SIlvers, Jane & I. William Sizeler, and Gretchen & Scott R. Wheaton. We are also grateful for the generous in-kind support from The Domain Companies; Corporate Realty; and Old No. 77 Hotel and Chandlery; as well as our community partners: Mr. Wolf; Loyola University; Dancing Grounds; Prospect New Orleans; Voice of the Experienced; and Women with a Vision.