On Friday, Nov. 17, REDCAT, in collaboration with the CalArts School of Art and Indigenous Arts at CalArts, presents a special evening of conversation and celebration.
Titled Our Own Work, Our Own Audiences, this event marks the arrival of the groundbreaking anthology, An Indigenous Present, an exploration of contemporary Indigenous North American art. The talk promises to be an insightful exploration into the world of uncompromising, self-determined Indigenous expression that challenges the conventions of the mainstream art world.
Published by BIG NDN Press/DelMonico Books, the anthology, conceived by the renowned artist and educator Jeffrey Gibson, showcases a diverse range of more than 60 Indigenous artists, including musicians, filmmakers, choreographers, architects, writers, photographers, and designers.
The evening includes a conversation led by Chad S. Hamill/čnaq’ymi (Music BFA 93, MFA 97), the director of Indigenous Arts at CalArts, exploring key themes from the book, such as humor, sound, land as material, and the body. Co-editors Gibson and Jenelle Porter, book designer Sébastien Aubin, and contributors Elisa Harkins (Art MFA 15) and Caroline Monnet share their insights and perspectives, offering a deeper understanding of the anthology’s rich content.
Rooted in community and dedicated to a broad spectrum of creative expression, the publication reflects a philosophy of creation that, according to Dakota scholar Phillip Deloria, signifies “more than survival, more than resistance.” Instead, it champions a continuity marked by wit, irony, fearlessness, endurance, and an unwavering commitment to future-forward possibilities.
The event is free and will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.
