Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Haida Legend
When I found that dead whale on the beach, I was stunned by the beauty and the aesthetic force of the textures and colours of its decomposing skin. Almost like abstract paintings (Serge Lemoyne style), it made me think of some Haida legends. The Haida spirit world is inhabited by many creatures from the sea, known as Tsagan xaaydagaay, or the underwater people. Many stories tell of Haida ancestors putting on skins of whales to enter the realm of the spirit world, where whale people and humans visit, communicate and feast together.
When I found that dead whale on the beach, I was stunned by the beauty and the aesthetic force of the textures and colours of its decomposing skin. Almost like abstract paintings (Serge Lemoyne style), it made me think of some Haida legends. The Haida spirit world is inhabited by many creatures from the sea, known as Tsagan xaaydagaay, or the underwater people. Many stories tell of Haida ancestors putting on skins of whales to enter the realm of the spirit world, where whale people and humans visit, communicate and feast together.
Pole Raising
I recently moved to Haida Gwaii the archipelago home to the Haida Nation. The Haida are known among the many West Coast nations as gifted artists, carpenters and boat builders. Having suffered the loss of 95% of their population after European contact, they are also a testament to survival. Today a wave of new artists are rediscovering the ancient stories, using them for inspiration to create new works of art. Painters, weavers, and totem pole carvers express themselves creatively and politically. Now their single biggest battle is to raise awareness of the serious threat posed by extensive and unsustainable forestry practices on their island home. I have been following the progression of a new totem pole currently being carved. This new totem will be raised on the solstice next week, which coincides with Canada`s aboriginal day. Pole raising is a very important event for the community; the collectives gather together around the totems as a way to affirm their identity and celebrate their culture.
Pole Raising-Solstice day
I recently moved to Haida Gwaii the archipelago home to the Haida Nation. The Haida are known among the many West Coast nations as gifted artists, carpenters and boat builders. Having suffered the loss of 95% of their population after European contact, they are also a testament to survival. Today a wave of new artists are rediscovering the ancient stories, using them for inspiration to create new works of art. Painters, weavers, and totem pole carvers express themselves creatively and politically. Now their single biggest battle is to raise awareness of the serious threat posed by extensive and unsustainable forestry practices on their island home. I have been following the progression of a new totem pole currently being carved. This new totem will be raised on the solstice next week, which coincides with Canada`s aboriginal day. Pole raising is a very important event for the community; the collectives gather together around the totems as a way to affirm their identity and celebrate their culture.
Pole Raising-Solstice day
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