World Premeiere of "Creating Tradition"
American Heritage Gallery, Epcot Center
Walt Disney World Resorts, Orlando, FL
July 27th, 2018
A sea of patchwork at the opening of a new exhibit at Epcot highlighting Native Art in North America
On this day when Mars is closer to the Earth
than it’s been in a decade and a half, since July 2003, a beautiful
dedication and opening ceremony was held for the new American Indian art
exhibit in the American Heritage Gallery of Epcot Center’s World Showcase. Amid
a global display of cultures, “Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change
in American Indian Art” stands as a marker, reminding us all, residents and
visitors alike, of the history, contemporaneity and future that Indigenous art,
heritage, traditions, knowledge hold on this continent and around the
world.With elegance, grace, dignity and
courage, the exhibit speaks to the enduring role of tradition and how the
cultural geography of our shared past continues to inform the future of
cultural, artistic, linguistic and intellectual knowledge in Indigenous
communities and the lands they influence both within and beyond ancestral homelands, locally and globally.
On the occasion of the recent exhibition opening, the main
floor of the American Heritage Gallery was transformed into a celestial sphere, gathering community, sharing the sound of human voices and rhythmic
percussion. It was a brief moment where together we created a space to celebrate the existence of life.
This collaboration between institutions provides Epcot visitors with the opportunity to engage with various forms of authentic art and
cultural artifacts within the World Showcase. The exhibit itself was conceptualized during a multiyear effort
by Disney to connect with American Indian communities, including Native
communities of South Florida. The outcome is a model for long
term collaboration in knowledge sharing; juxtaposing ancient with modern, traditional with
experimental; resulting in the co-creation of an incredible visitor experience infusing authentic
art and history into the fabric of Disney magic.
[Detail of Brian Zepeda's work]
[Brian Zepeda and his parents]
Brian Zepeda, Seminole Artist, Cultural Historian and Liaison for Seminole Tribal members living in the Naples community, led a traditional dance and song during the opening ceremony. Mr. Zepeda had this to say about having his work featured in the exhibit:
“It means a lot to me to have my work on display for a few
reasons:
[Bag by Brian's grandmother:
Juanita Osceola]
a. This is the first time Disney has included Native
American Art work on a long term exhibit and it is an honor to be one of only a
few artists hightlighted [from around the country].
b. My late Great Grandma’s patchwork was chosen to be in the
same display case. She had a profound impact on my art and my pursuit of
expression through art.
c. Epcot is a major platform to reach people from around the
world in a positive way.”
[Pedro Zepeda and a few members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida dancing and singing the Catfish Dance]
Video clip of opening ceremony
Courtesy Gordon Oliver Wareham
[South Florida is well represented in the new Native Art Exhibit that opened last week at Epcot]
Photo courtesy Gordon Oliver Wareham
In a time when many communities, native and non-native
alike, are working hard to gain, reclaim and share an understanding of our
human interrelationship with earth’s natural cycles, the presence of this
exhibit in Epcot’s World Showcase helps to bridge the gap that too often
occurs in the policy and practice of knowledge sharing when it comes to the
history, current role and future of American Indian presence in the United
States.
We are all connected. What
happens in one community region habitat or ecosystem affects us all. The
display of both historical and contemporary art in this world showcase exhibit
literally provides a global platform for Indigenous Peoples of the Americas to
advance their work, support their values and promote their messaging. Whatever
the viewpoint from which one views the facts of history, the continued
endurance of Indigenous People on this continent is undeniable. Despite
everything that has happened on these lands, Native People are still here and
shall remain.
78 of the 562 federally recognized tribal communities in the US are represented in Epcot's new "Creating Tradition" exhibit.
GLIMPSES FROM THE OPENING:
Artist Brian Zepeda addresses attendees at the VIP reception
[A recording of Sadie Buck was one of several beautiful voices filling the hall before the opening]
[Photo of Native Music interpretive panel, courtesy Tom Corless, Walt Disney World News]
Sincere gratitude and congratulations to all the artists, curators, visionaries and everyone who created this exhibit as well as this very special private opening ceremony. Looking forward to seeing the possibility of a larger, public celebration in the future!
(All pics and text (c) Tara A. Chadwick, unless otherwise noted.)
These are some of the things that come to mind during this time of year when we celebrate the Summer Solstice in this region of our planet. This year we took a moment to reflect on the strong rays of sunlight that were literally shining through the clouds surrounding us this longest day of the year. As human beings, we all have those things which distract us, just as we all have gifts that are immeasurably important to the human family. A condition in which each of us has the opportunity to fully develop and share those gifts with all of humanity is, for me, the ideal goal of a healthy economy. I also published an article that describes some of the current work that I've been helping Fort Lauderdale Historical Society engage in which can be found in this month's edition of InterpNews (p. 84-88, there is a great article on concretions immediately preceeding mine too!).
This month I also had the opportunity to share some of these thoughts briefly with a gathering of a few of Broward County's brilliant people. I'm looking forward to contributing more to widening our base of passionate, accountable and inspired community builders.
This week as I blissfully go about my daily business, it is with a little more deliberate effort at intentionally blocking out the sights and sounds associated with yet another school shooting massacre here on our own soil.
It should not be so surprising, and yet the horror of it, children being massacred in their own classrooms, by their peers, is the stuff that can stomp hope out of the most optimistic of hearts.
My teenager has almost no recollection of a time when school did not involve violence. There is of course, the daily meanness and bullying that seems to have happened in public schools since they were instituted in this country as a mechanism for socialization into the melting pot. But then there is also the unimaginable lockdown drills practiced on a regular basis that my son tells me he cannot talk to me about because it will be too upsetting to me. And then there are the drills that only the teachers prepare for... Teacher prep time used to be for grading, lesson planning, and designing the best hallway bulletin board in the school. Now it's for laminating dark poster paper to darken windows in the hopes that it will reduce the chances of an active shooter taking aim at a classroom window.
Yes, I have been putting a lot of effort into not thinking about it this week. Since I heard of the Santa Fe shooting last Friday, my approach has been, just don't think about it... I wonder how many of our business leaders, legislators and lawmakers follow suit with my attempt at self-imposed apathy? How many of our children have to do their best this week to "just not think about it..."? Is that the solution to problem solving that we are role modeling now? "Just don't think about it." If we do just pretend that the problem does not exist... will it actually cease to exist? If we wish to take the approach of the legendary ostrich in the sand... that is our choice, however, as we have learned from Columbine and Sandy Hook and Red Lake, and Pulse and Parkland and Santa Fe, we can forget and pretend and ignore and deny, but sooner or later, the reality is going to hit us too. If we continue to do nothing to support the action required to successfully ensure that gun violence never again plucks the hearts out of parents and siblings and peers who will never again touch the hands or kiss the cheeks of their loved ones, then inevitably this preventable public health epidemic of disasterous proportions will eventually touch each of us. Like one of the parents of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School said, "We didn't think it could be us."
We have choices to make. Sit and do nothing, or stand and deliver change into the waiting arms of our young people. Their ability to live is determined by our perseverence in maintaining our level of civic engagement in the process of democracy which by its very nature requires us to participate, share our views and work together to provide solutions. Together we can solve this crisis. Today if we all wanted to. Re-authorize the collection, compilation and analysis of gun violence data as the public health crisis that it is. Apply standard epidemiological, intervention and prevention procedures and practices. Fund local grassroots, community organizations to provide outreach, case management and harm reduction services. Do what has been proven to work through science. Replicate successful programming, not just in the property-tax-rich schools but in all neighborhoods, schools and organizations.
My 6 year old is counting the number of days left until the end of the school year. Today marks the 97th day since the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School at the northern edge of our public school district. How many more days will go by until we can all assure our Kindergarten children that it is safe for them to go to school....? What are we doing to ensure that day comes?
This Friday at Miramar Cultural Center, I will join with students from Parkland and throughout our Broward County School District and Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam to stand with them, listen, and help form a plan for action. What will you do...?
Poem dedicated to students of Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School
13 years ago today I sat with my almost two-year-old son Mictla, under the stars of the Mesoamerican sky in one of the Plazas in the great city of Teotihuacan. We sat up all night by the fire watching the stars and listening to the ladies share stories, trying to keep warm, it was chilly up there in the hilly countryside of central Mexico. We danced at sunset and deep into the night. And at sunrise we got up and journeyed into the ancient city to the plaza at the base of a 5000 year old building now known as the temple of the moon.
There we prepared to meet tribal members of the great Hopi nation who had come running from their home territory to this ancient capital of Mesoamerica, bringing with them the memories that their grandparents held of a great connection that had been lost for over 500 years. A migration that had once occurred on a regular basis in order to account for the counting of time and to ensure that balance continues on our continent and among all our people.
Without any sleep and in the dry heat of the Sierra Madre mountains, it was very hard to dance that day. But it was a beautiful, epic moment. One of those moments that you know marks time for all of humanity. And so I just wanted to remember on this sunrise on the morning of March 20th, 2018. I wanted to take a few moments to remember and reflect on this amazing event that took place 13 years ago. And to honor the beauty that that memory has for me and to do what I can to pass that on...
Ometeotl.
Here's the link directly to this spot in the video :) we were watching the H2OPI Eagle dancers, then after, we shared our version of the Eagle dance. https://youtu.be/aoEY8XYJUyY?t=3457
Spring Equinox sunset at #MiramarPinelandPark 2018
And finally, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has volunteered, shared, supported, fed and hired me this year. A special recognition to Broward Cultural Division, Puffin Foundation West, Inc. and the Broward Chapter of the United Nations Association for the support you all have provided this past year, without the encouragement, it would be difficult to get through the rough times!
Join me this Friday for a pop up celebration of #WorldWaterDay at #FTLhistory on the banks of the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Healing crisis is a constant necessity in today's complex, stratified, divisive society. The events that unfolded 9 days ago in #Parkland, near Coral Springs, Florida have pushed many of us to the tipping point. And yet, in communities throughout Florida and the US and around the world, crisis, especially children in crisis is an ongoing issue that has required attention for a very long time... generations in fact.
This week, while our attention south of the border has been on dealing with grief, funerals and the immediacy of school safety issues within the nation's sixth largest public school district, our neighbors to the north were dealt two completely independent court decisions in which the killing of two Indigenous youth by two different people, in two different provinces, in two very distinct circumstances, both resulted in European males receiving not guilty verdicts, while the children victims are no longer alive to tell their side of the story.
It is imperative that we all employ our intrinsic critical thinking skills in everyday decision making. Especially so in this day and age. It is equally important that we also take time to allow the growth, repair and healing of our emotional skills as well.
We need both, together, integrated and healthy. After a week like this, wholeness and restoration of wellbeing is going to take some time and effort. The students, teachers, healers, counsellors, administrators and decision makers must all be included in efforts to intentionally regain wellness, within our selves, families and communities.
Here are a couple of resources courtesy of thunderbirdpf.org that have helped other communities move forward after experiencing traumatic crises. Check em out. See what you think. Call,text, msg. Reach out. Let's chat. Let's build together!!
Strolling along what seemed like an endless sidewalk down Dade Avenue on this 200th anniversary of the start of the Seminole Wars... I happened to spark up a conversation with one of my co-walkers. Till that moment, I truly had no idea so many of the fair goers were out-of-towners travelling to South Florida just specifically to take in #art. Art Basel 2017 is officially a wrap having shown approximately $3.5 billion work of art, and seeing over 82,000 participants [see press release and end of show report] .
...reminds me of #CometotheWell
(photo: T. Chadwick)
According to artsy.net, the Pace Gallery had a successful run, placing one work worth $12 million. The show’s new layout was so much easier to
follow and navigate, with beautiful hanging garden center lounge areas. I did miss
the delicious, stadium priced lunch offerings, although the BC taco truck
outside did a wonderful job of filling the afternoon void with delicious shrimp
tacos and “avocado salsa.”
Pace Gallery (photo: T. Chadwick)
Inside the walls of Art Basel, I found a whimsical and
wondrous survey that pushes my boundaries of contemporary art. From plastic
bags to classic painting and sculpture to, my favorites:
performance, kinetic and live painting, this show truly had something for
everyone to enjoy.
Mexico City Mural in Miami Beach
(Thursday photo: T. Chadwick)
Mexico City Mural in Miami Beach
(Friday photo: T. Chadwick)
Of these, I really enjoyed watching the mural in process
presented as part of Mexico City's #RestorationofaMural. To my North American eye, the overlays of
vellum on painted campaign slogans was unexpected, a little jarring, and,
similar to my own recent political experiences, I couldn’t figure out if the
art was for or against the will of the majority of the people. The tools,
brushes, and process of creating circles and lines took me back to the 9th
grade computer class called “data,” where everything we ever wanted to program had
to be rendered as a circle or a line. Watching the muralist and assistant add
elements of the mural was almost like watching an archaeological excavation in
reverse. Careful measurements, ancient techniques, tools for the future.
#Reparations David Castillo Gallery
(photo: T. Chadwick)
‘This year’s show definitely had a great energy with its new look, and our booth was extremely well-received. Within the first two hours of the fair, some of our gallery’s most important clients came to the booth. With the sale of a major Lyle Ashton Harris piece and an important group of clients visiting us early on in the fair, it is clear that this year’s fair was punctuated by significant collectors in attendance and as always, there was interest from buyers early on in the show.’ David Castillo, Owner, David Castillo Gallery, Miami Beach (In quotes from Art Basel post show press release.)
...miscellaneous unnamed photos, except for Maggie by #ChuckClose...
(photos: T. Chadwick)
Basel blog – Art Basel Conversations
#EdgarHeapofBirds discussing #Indigenous #Art
(photo: T. Chadwick)
One of the problems I’ve had with Art Basel and contemporary
art in general, is that distinction between what one of the art experts this
week describes as “pastoral” art versus the elevated stature and value of
“fine” art. For example, there were many examples of fabric art during this
year’s Art Basel show, one of these was a giant, larger-than-life
pseudo-dreamcatcher created by an artist in the UK. When I first set eyes upon
the purple and black mass I was surprised, since generally in fine art shows
such as Art Basel, this type of work is relegated to the low rank of “craft” or
“tribal art.” Immediately I looked closer to see if I could see the origin
story of the dreamcatcher woven within the fabric. As I surveyed the types of
twists and turns used in the weaving, sadly, I saw nothing representing the
cultural teachings or history that traditional dreamcatchers convey, in fact to
me this weaving was empty. An empty shell, a hollow reproduction of a
traditional art form containing nothing of the beauty and love that it is meant
to hold. I still wonder about the artist and their intent in making this piece,
but more, I wonder about the gallery that decided to choose this as their main
showcase. What were they thinking? That Indigenous art forms co-opted by white
European artists are flattering? Honoring? Even when indigenous people
themselves are not welcomed to participate as artists, curators or even spokes
people?
#RichardHughes Birmingham, UK
(photo: T. Chadwick)
Seeing the Art Basel Conversation titled “What of Indigenous
Art Now” was a boon to me. I was so excited that someone decided to bring this
topic to the conversation. For too many years, I’ve seen incredible Indigenous
artists, with traditional, folk and contemporary styles, struggle to make ends
meet… invisible in the art magazines… absent from the juried shows… neglected
by collectors and curators. This is changing. But way too slowly. And still,
European artists using Indigenous themes get much more recognition and
appraisal value than Indigenous artists using any theme.
#Oaxaca
(photo: T. Chadwick)
I was so glad to be
able to take part in this conversation. In fact, it was, in part, a
retrospective on Indigenous Art over the past #525yearsofresistanceandsurvival,
it’s been 25 years since 1992. Many of the prominent Native owned and operated
galleries have since closed their doors. But there are a few still in
operation, and a few that have opened since the Sesquicentennial resurgence of
Indigenous art. In my view, the more we have conversations that lead to strategies
for how the arts and business community can best support artists and especially,
Indigenous artists, the stronger our community will grow together.
[Links to the program are available here: ... Indigenous Art Now... and below you can watch the official recording of the "What of Indigenous Art Now?" #ARTBASEL conversation - my remarks can be heard at minute 42]
Basel Blog – #ArtMiami
#ArtMiami / #Context
(photo: T. Chadwick)
This year, once again, I didn’t get to Pinta, Superfine, Red
Dot, Context, Untitled or Scope. I really do wish I’d had time to make it over
to Scope, as I enjoyed the Conversation with Edgar Heap of Birds about
the interconnection between art and history. I particularly wanted to see the “sign
post” he did marking this land as Tequesta territory, a site specific artwork
in relation to the Miami Circle just a few miles away.If anyone happened to snap a pic of it, I’d
surely appreciate having a glimpse!
#AndyWarhol at super stuffy Archeous/ Post Modern
(photo: T. Chadwick)
I also wanted to get to Context because I’m interested in
comparing the overall content between each show. Surprisingly, I found Art Miami
to have a more standoffish feel than Art Basel, something I was definitely not
expecting! My favorite aspects of this show, like Basel, were in the margins… “Unleashed”
had an inspiring piece in the entry way featuring a world map in thread, surrounded
by fabric strips of messages by fair goers, flanked by multiple display screens
flashing still and video images of colourful fashions and wearable art from
India and Asia.
#Unleashed #ConnectingThreads @ Art Miami
(photo: T. Chadwick)
My other favorite piece from Art Miami was “DeepSee,” an incredible
collaborative experience integrating natural vegetation, visual art and visual
reality, all with an action based intended outcome of raising awareness,
interest and motivating everyone to set a goal to take at least one action to support
the earth’s ability to heal herself from the daily stress we inflict upon
her.I loved being able to literally
step inside of the beautifully painted canoe and although I generally dislike
the popular innovation of virtual reality imaging, this VR canoe journey was so
very beautiful with its overlapping integration of earth, space and water
travel, it was impossible not to love.Congrats to Dita, Jared, Houston and the FIU advisory council for
creating this inspiring experience.
Although I’m fairly new to the Art Basel scene (this was
only my 3rd year attending events at Miami’s signature week of high profile,
contemporary art fairs which include but are certainly not limited to the
world-renowned #ArtBasel,) I loved my inaugural experience
with the Basel House Mural Festival.
#SFLBloggers
(photo: T. Chadwick)
Even before attending my first Miami Art Week events three
years ago, I’d heard the perspective of local South Florida artists who too
often struggle for recognition, attention of gallery and representatives, and interest in their work
from the local and global community. Basel House set out to address this
problem by showcasing a few of the artists that have infamized the walls of
Miami’s Wynwood Arts District.
#Wynwood #Wall Tag
(photo: T. Chadwick)
As a kid, this was the factory outlet side of town – large, vacant industrial lots, warehouses, some still used for direct and commercial sales of shoes, washing machines, and bric-a-brack, now almost unrecognizable due to the incredible splashes of colour disguising every wall, coffee shops and cute little trendy places to eat, drink and be merry.
...before...
(Friday photo: T. Chadwick)
Basel House Mural Festival took place between the old RC Cola Plant and Wynwood Brewing Co. It was an homage to the street artists who work every day to bring color and consciousness to our concrete jungle. Featured artist Ruben Uribe is a masterful installation and graphic artist who describes his style as “post graffism popular urban art.”
The opening was unlike any other I’d ever experienced
complete with Rolling Stones sponsored ice cream, a delicious dinner bar
of salad, quinoa and paella, and as much kombucha as you dared to consume… One
of the marketing pieces I enjoyed was the live screen printing of Basel House cloth
tote bags to hold all your swag for the night.It was a great evening to connect with the beauty of what local mural
art brings to Miami during Art Basel and all year through.
I love art, but I’m not one to party much… don’t get me
wrong, I love dressing up as much as the next kid, but I’d rather go see a live
orchestra, ballet or jazz performance than try to strike up meaningless
conversations with a thousand people I don’t know and still won’t know
tomorrow.That said, I did enjoy the hubbub
of going to the “Basel Brunch” at the Sagamore this weekend. Rain pouring. Wind
whirling through what’s left of the art deco buildings my grandmother skipped past
as an 8-year-old in 1931, on her way to spend her day on the beach while her
mother tended her ailing father under a prescribed winter in Florida, the antidote
to his WWI inflicted health issues. The rivers of rainwater filled the streets
as we searched for a semi-safe spot to cross the deluge.
Our first stop was the Muse Art Exhibit, a miniature version
of the much-anticipated Muse Art Fair, scheduled for launch during Art Miami
Wee 2018. Housed in the front lobby of the Hampton Inn, curator and lead
organizer Q stopped to chat about the exhibit and plans for the 2018 art fair.
Then we dashed off in the rain across the street to the
Sagamore. It was my first time to the iconic beach front property... filled
with a warm mass of dripping wet bodies, this brunch was jam packed with
several hundred of the most hard and happy art lovers on the beach. Despite the
torrential downpour outside, Basel Brunch goers were chipper, friendly and happy
to be inside. Pastries and mimosas abounded and freshly made crepes were the
finishing touch to a very well attended event, especially considering the extremely
wet weather. On our way out the door, turkey and cheese crepes in hand, we
noticed that the late arrivers were all lined up outside, being kept at bay by
the doormen relating that the space was at capacity and could hold no more. Grateful, we stepped back out into the torrent.
I did’t get to Prizm Art fair last weekend, but it’s not too
late! Prizm, like Art Africa Miami, which I was able to attend during Miami Art
Week, are both still open to the public. I am so glad
about this because last year I found more art I loved at Prizm than at Basel. Prizm is open through this Sunday, December 17th so don't miss it.
Similarly,
Art Africa Miami was filled with large scale treats for the senses. Fabric paintings,
sculptures, etched light box prints… two galleries full of fantastic fun and
fearless art.These bold works spoke
volumes about our place, as people of color, living in the United States, Miami
in particular, reflecting our current circumstance and bringing with us an unbreakablebond to our ancestors and the ancestral
homelands that continue to nurture and sustain us over the course of
generations….
This month, Fort Lauderdale Historical Society has the
distinct honor of featuring the photographic work of JohnBob Carlos in the
world premiere of his first solo show: Healing Waters. JohnBob’s work focuses on the intrinsic and often unseen
beauty of the imperiled Florida everglades. During the opening held last week,
JohnBob shared stories of the multi day journeys he took to capture each intriguing
image, often encountering pieces of our history long forgotten.
At a special encore of the opening preview, in celebration of International Human Rights Day, Miccosukee Grandmother Betty Osceola shared her thoughts about the exhibition and the images that reflect the home, lifeways and future of her people. “We are a reflection of the earth,
we are the earth. If we heal ourselves, then we will also heal the earth.”For Betty, the images remind her of being in
those places, and of the life that surrounds us.“These everglades, they belong to all of us.
The are all our responsibility…The
everglades are the kidneys of the world, just like the Amazon are the lungs of
the world. What will we do if these kidneys stop working? Put them on a
machine? Well, eventually we know, machines will break down. So, what then…?”
Take a moment to come experience these inspired images and
take home a print of your favorite one to remember: if we heal ourselves, we
will heal the earth.
Healing Waters: The
Photography of JohnBob Carlos
On view at
HistoryFortLauderdale.org
Through January 28th
Basel blog – action!
The role of art in our societies no matter where on the
earth or at what point in history, has always been to inspire, to reflect, to
communicate, and to express…Life is
art. Art is life. Let us rise up together and take hold of both. Put aside all
the myriad daily tasks that must still get done. And take the time, just for a
moment or two, to enjoy the art that exists all around us and the effect it has
on our bodies, minds and spirits. Let’s take a second or two to be thankful for
that “food” that art brings to our lives. And then pick up the phone or open up
a blank email and communicate to our own state legislators that we value art
and the artists who make art, and we want to support art, artists and arts
organizations to continue flowing, through tax programs, charitable donations
that are tax deductible, grant programs, investment and incentives that
encourage and support art.
Yours truly #ByeBasel #selfie
Beyond Basel Saturday, December 16th, Tara Chadwick
will be sharing some of her particular style of "performance" art with the community in the Sistrunk
Neighborhood, everyone is welcome to attend. And on Tuesday, December 19th, a community tour of the #NativeArtattheCannonball exhibit is being offered to #Sistrunk residents and the public at 2 pm.
