The text discusses the exhibition “Future Imaginaries: Indigenous Art, Fashion, Technology” at the Autry Museum, featuring the sculpture “Ground (Witness)” by Rose B. Simpson. It highlights how contemporary Indigenous artists address themes of time, colonialism, and futurism through various mediums, including fashion and technology. The exhibition challenges preconceived notions of Native art and showcases a diverse range of works that blend traditional practices with modern influences. Co-curators emphasize the significance of ancestral knowledge and relationality in Indigenous fashion and technologies, inviting visitors to reconsider their understanding of these concepts.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indigenous art challenges perceptions | Traditional to contemporary | Broader appreciation of Native art | Desire for cultural recognition |
| Interdisciplinary approaches to art | Single discipline to cross-disciplinary | Art reflecting diverse knowledge systems | Need for inclusive representation |
| Futuristic themes in Native storytelling | Static tradition to dynamic narrative | New cultural narratives emerging | Response to historical oppression |
| Fashion as a tool for cultural identity | Co-opted to reclaimed | Reimagined Indigenous fashion | Empowerment through self-expression |
| Technology integrating Indigenous knowledge | Fixed to adaptive systems | AI and eco-tech merging cultures | Innovation for cultural survival |
| Community-focused artistic collaborations | Isolated efforts to collective work | Collaborative Indigenous projects | Unity through shared heritage |
| Preserving traditions through futurism | Static tradition to evolving practice | Ongoing adaptation of culture | Commitment to cultural longevity |
| Reclaiming sci-fi narratives | Appropriated to authentic | Indigenous narratives in mainstream media | Desire for representation in popular culture |
| Enhanced ecological awareness in technology | Traditional to eco-aware tech | Harmonious living with nature | Importance of sustainability |
| Participatory art engages audiences | Passive viewing to active participation | Community involvement in art creation | Building connections and understanding |