The Confluence, a contemporary art gallery in Calgary, is currently hosting a unique exhibit that combines traditional Indigenous art with modern technology. Titled “Digital Touch,” the exhibit features the work of several Indigenous artists who have incorporated digital elements into their pieces.
The exhibit aims to showcase the intersection of traditional Indigenous art forms with the ever-evolving world of technology. It also seeks to challenge the notion that Indigenous art is solely rooted in the past, and instead highlights the relevance and innovation of contemporary Indigenous artists.
One of the featured artists, Raven Davis, utilizes augmented reality in their work to bring traditional Indigenous stories to life. By scanning a QR code, viewers can see the story depicted in the artwork come to life through animation and sound. This interactive element adds a new dimension to the storytelling aspect of Indigenous art.
Another artist, Joi T. Arcand, incorporates digital manipulation into her photography to explore the impact of colonization on Indigenous languages. By overlaying English words onto images of Indigenous landscapes, Arcand highlights the erasure of Indigenous languages and the ongoing struggle to preserve them.
The exhibit also features the work of Joi T. Arcand, who uses digital manipulation in her photography to explore the impact of colonization on Indigenous languages. By overlaying English words onto images of Indigenous landscapes, Arcand highlights the erasure of Indigenous languages and the ongoing struggle to preserve them.
The Confluence’s curator, Sarah Todd, explains that the exhibit aims to challenge the idea that Indigenous art is static and unchanging. She believes that incorporating digital elements into traditional art forms not only adds a new layer of creativity, but also allows for a wider audience to engage with the art.
The “Digital Touch” exhibit runs until December 18th and is free for the public to attend. The Confluence hopes that this exhibit will spark conversations about the intersection of Indigenous art and technology, and the importance of preserving and evolving traditional art forms.
