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Representative Activism


VALARIA TATERA
Justice MMIWG, Valaria Tatera, 2019-2021


    I found Valaria Tatera's talk incredibly moving and informative. I had absolutely no idea Enbridge pipeline 5 existed or that Wisconsin even had residential schools. I think growing up in Wisconsin gave me the impression that most of the injustices meted out against native peoples were in other places, it was worrying to find out the same happened here. Although sadly it's not that surprising. 

    My complete ignorance on the topic shows just how deficient the school system is in the US, where the majority population can just choose to leave out the more unpleasant parts of history that make them look bad. This is why Tatera's art is so necessary, not only is it a healing process for herself, which would be important enough by itself, it makes people focus on what they'd rather ignore. 


 "Whence did the wond'rous mystic art arise,

of painting SPEECH and speaking to the eyes?

That we by tracing magic lines are taught, 

How to embody, and colour THOUGHT?"


    I chose this particular McLuhan quote because it seems to encompass some of the thought behind Tatera's art. In "Justice" She is combining the abstract visual with the defined act of reading. The cascading ribbons give the piece a sense of movement and an almost liquid looking quality. While the word 'justice' that is stamped on each ribbon speak to the viewers eyes. Tatera's art seems to embody this idea of "painting speech" and "color thought". It is physical, textural, strongly emphasizes the viewers act of looking. 

    Their installations make me think of how our experimental art could be made. How can I make my art interact with the space and the viewer? How does that affect the pieces perception? 

Valaria Tatera – Women's & Gender Studies Consortium – UW–Madison
Processed: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2S, Valaria Tatera, 2020

Comments

  1. LJSeptember 26, 2021 at 8:13 PM

    I love this reflection. I 100% agree with you how necessary her artworks are in terms of not only spreading awareness about this matter but also for teaching us about their histroy in which is not thaught in many schools.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Xiyue ZhangSeptember 26, 2021 at 8:23 PM

    I also agree that Tatera's arts are important and necessary. Also, I learned more about Wisconsin's history through this reflection!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jessie AronsSeptember 26, 2021 at 8:41 PM

    I agree, Valaria's art is so important because it is not only personal to her, but also is shedding light on such important topics and issues that are still current today.

    ReplyDelete

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