 |
AYUMEE-AAWACH OOMAMA-MOWAN: Speaking to Their Mother Megaphone, mixed media - 1991.
In 1991, as the mass-media coverage of the 1990 Oka (a crisis which had an enormous impact and has spoiled the image of Canadian Indian in the view of many Canadians) confrontation began to solidify into a historical narrative that silenced First Nations voices and their stories of the uprising. Belmore created an enormous megaphone that she used in a series of performances. The megaphone functioned as an exhibit/beginning point of protest and storytelling in different regions across the nation. Approaching the megaphone to speak, she addressed her words to the earth. Following her speech, others were able to gather around and express their thoughts/beliefs. The thoughts were conveyed through the megaphone which would echo out towards the landscape/earth. Their stories were heard and scattered into the landscape. The installation allowed the people the opportunity to speak of their stories or memories. Instantly, the connection between humanity and nature was made. Once again, oral tradition had been performed, the spoken words of memory was provided creating a sense of cultural identity.
|
