wishes / souhaits

If we could imagine a star self into existence, who would that person be?

Artists Émilie Monnet and Dayna Danger collaborate together with Brenda Lee Marcoux, Gail Golder, Violet Rose Quinney, Crystal Star Einish and Jenna Guanish to create Wishes / Souhaits. Stars hold a place of special significance in all our Indigenous cultures: they can be ancestors, hand-sewn on blankets to honour people, be a part of our names, or to wish upon. Wishes / Souhaits is a photographic and sound immersive installation that explores the possibilities of dream and imagination to envision ourselves in an empowering way. If we could imagine a star self into existence, who would that person be?

Wishes / Souhaits is part of a larger interdisciplinary community arts project with the Native Women Shelter of Montreal. Initiated by choreographer Reena Almoneda Chang in 2014, in collaboration with artists Dayna Danger, Émilie Monnet and Melissa Morris, the project explores how one can create a feeling of sanctuary in one’s self. Drawing from the individual and collective strengths as indigenous women, mothers, and survivors, the project uses different creative process experiences in dance/movement, theatre, visual art, and video to give voice to the individual and collective experiences

Creation: Dayna Danger et Émilie Monnet With: Brenda Lee Marcoux, Gail Golder, Violet Rose Quinney, Crystal Star Einish et Jenna Guanish Sound mixing and mastering: Stéphane Claude Artistic consultation: Hannah Claus, Greg Hill

PERFORMANCES

Presented at OBORO gallery from September 16 to October 21, 2017

Wishes / Souhaits is supported through the Programme de partenariat culture et communauté de la Ville de Montréal and produced by ONISHKA.

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« Upon entering the room, viewers feel a sense of sanctuary, as they are easily immersed in the exhibition through the blanket of darkness and placement of the pieces. The sound aspect of the installation helps contribute to the feeling of calm and comfort viewers experience. »

« Les enchevêtrements du récit personnel de l’artiste, de ses séjours difficiles à l’hôpital, font écho à tout ce qui a été enlevé aux Premières Nations au fil des siècles, et aboutissent à une colère assumée contre les rapports de pouvoir colonialistes qui perdurent encore aujourd’hui envers ces peuples. »

« Wishes / Souhaits est une œuvre qui a pour but de propager un discours fort et clair de la volonté de l’autonomisation des femmes autochtones. Désirant se réapproprier leur corps et en déconstruire l’image colonisée des représentations objectifiantes et parfois déshumanisantes. »

If we could imagine a star self into existence, who would that person be?

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