Anthropology, from a multi-cultural perspective, has in the past, can often, and still is, observing through a certain level and lens of logos; colonizational scientific perspective, and often resulting in papers or written formats in exclusive realms. A newer paradigm, is allowing for or creating space for these wisdom-cultures to show to us, to our culture; to teach us and influence our consciousness in regenerative ways. Thus, offering a catalyst of creative methods rooted in contemporary consciousness that then understand indigenous ways + wisdom of how to restore our Earth. Art comes in as a powerful medium in these "studies" because unlike written anthropological reports, art is a medium of emotion, energy, perspective, eros, animas, etc. which is the fundamental way to communicate some of these indigenous wisdom teachings that are beyond grasp of logical mind. In fact, most of the teachings invite us out of our minds, into our hearts, and into other appendages and paradigms of consciousness altogether to modify our relation with ourselves, each other, and our world. This relation, either underdeveloped or nourished, is essentially the reason, and also redemption, of our current anthropocene and global environmental state, as Indigenous Wisdomkeepers tell us.

 

Artistic expression has and is the power to transfer information beyond the logical mind and invites consciousness and experience into a holistic immersion of understanding. As I use the word, "art," below, it is referencing this idea, while also referring to its multi-disciplinary potential for expression.

 

So, what I am proposing is to use art as a medium of "anthropological" studies and activism, that, with their permission and desire, (1) allows indigenous cultures to share in the ways that are authentic to them through variously defined forms of art, (2) collaborate with artists to understand such teachings + lifeways and express that understanding through art, (3) present the artistic findings through exhibitions that offer public an inclusive invitation into awareness, sharing, and understandings, (4) create resources and support through exhibitions to protect and assist the preservation and regeneration of these cultures according to how they desire support, (5) connecting these artistic findings of significant information and perspective to other scientific and realms of power, i.e. climate change experts, politicians, academics, etc. (6) marry these realms of science, politics, art, and indigenous lifeways to bring full circle, with capacity to effect understanding at its core and thus catalyze creativity and actions for change from a greater holistic awareness. 

​

​

From the Altai to the Amazon, Sierra Nevada of Colombia to Australia, and many other regions of our world where our Indigenous Peoples are confronting dire capitalistic encroachment upon their ideologies, lifeways, and evolving maintenance of precious ways of being that are allocating balance in our world. These people, their lineages, and gifts for our collective future are imperative for our global reconciliation and are needing our support.

 

ART as ANTHROPOLOGY as ACTIVISM proposes a model for such support.

 

​

​

​

This vision has a potential to overlap with ideas + ideals of the

INDIGENOUS WISDOMKEEPER PORTRAIT COLLECTIVE

 

 

 

<<>>

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​