We Ask Leading Museum Curators About What’s Going On In Their World
What event (gallery show, museum exhibit, etc.) in the next few months are you looking forward to, and why?
I’m looking forward to being able to visit any museum again in the coming months. Ironically, one exhibit I wanted to see when travel was still possible, but did not think I would get to, is now a virtual exhibit. Indigenous Futurisms: Transcending Past/present/future at the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts presents the future from a Native perspective and features science fiction and post-apocalyptic themes—which feel even more relevant now than they did just a few weeks ago.
What are you reading?
Vice President and Chief Curatorial Officer Eiteljorg Museum of American
Indians and Western Art
Indianapolis, IN
(317) 636-9378, www.eiteljorg.org
I just started The Gods of Indian Country: Religion and the Struggle for the American West by Jennifer Graber. She uses the lens of religion and the specifics of Kiowa history to explore conflict, resistance and change in the West. I’ve had a copy of the catalog for the exhibit Hearts of Our People on my desk for weeks. I keep going back to re-read essays and absorb the beautiful images, and I’m finding something new to appreciate each time.
Interesting exhibit, gallery opening or work of art you’ve seen recently.
I really enjoyed Laughter and Resistance: Humor in Native American Art at the Wheelwright Museum. The exhibit focuses on the role of humor in Native life and art and includes both whimsy and pointed satire in the works and stories featured. I usually prefer to experience the art without being tethered to a device, but I really enjoyed the cell phone program which featured the artists talking about their work, intent and inspiration.
What are you researching at the moment?
My role with our Native American reinstallation is primarily as project manager with the curatorial team comprised of Scott Shoemaker, PH.D. (Miami Tribe of Oklahoma), Dorene Red Cloud (Oglala Lakota) and Jennifer Complo Mcnutt. We work with an incredible group of Native American advisors. I am also the project director for a grant-funded initiative exploring the subject of religion in the American West. We’re in the planning stage right now so I don’t yet know what implementation will look like.
What is your dream exhibit to curate? Or see someone else curate?
I would love to have a “Rapid Response Gallery” with the resources to collect, curate and collaborate with artists and others in response to contemporary issues. At the time of this writing, I’m starting to see art created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as a beautiful beaded mask by Métis artist Lisa Shepherd and the wonderful cartoons of Ricardo Cate. As I’m writing this, I’m realizing that this is something we could do online. Hmm…
Elias Notafraid (Crow),