Opening reception for "From Skyworld to Cyberspace" exhibition

Thursday, September 12, 2019 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

Artwork by Skawennati titled "She Falls for Ages" (video still), 2017,
In From Skyworld to Cyberspace, artist Skawennati (Mohawk, turtle clan) traces a line from our place of origin somewhere in the heavens to the virtual realm, one of the newest territories on Earth. Investigating concepts of time and self, Skawennati engages various mechanisms of gaming and play, interweaving traditional Mohawk stories and ritual objects with new technologies and processes through representations of avatars, most notably her online persona, which she has maintained for over a decade in the virtual world, Second Life. From Skyworld to Cyberspace is a result of Skawennati’s continuing investigation of cultural construction, contemporary Indigenous self-representation in cyberspace, and of our relationships with the digital world.

There will be an artist presentation on Friday September 13, 12:00–1:00 pm in  East Campus Hall room 1219.

From Skyworld to Cyberspace is curated by Matthew Ryan Smith and circulated by McIntosh Gallery, Western University.  McIntosh Gallery acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council.

Exhibitions are free and open to the public

The exhibition continues at UWAG from September 12 to October 26, 2019.

Image credit: Skawennati, She Falls for Ages (still), 2017, 21 min., Machinima HD Video, English, 16:9 aspect, Edition 2 of 6. Collection of the artist. Image courtesy of the artist and ELLEPHANT, Montreal.