For this blog post, I decided to visit the Sculpture Center last weekend with my sister, located in Long Island City, Queens. The exhibition was titled IF REVOLUTION IS A SICKNESS, by artist Diane Severin Nguyen. We were given a pamphlet to read before we entered the room. We noticed quickly that we were the only ones there. This room was quite interesting because the stage had a big gold curtain and red stairs, it looked like a theater performance was about to begin. The red stairs led down to a big red carpet on the floor, there were no chairs for anyone to sit. We sat on the carpet to watch this performance.  IF REVOLUTION IS A SICKNESS started with beautiful shots of the trees in winter and summer. The shots that followed showed young Weronika, asleep on the shore and we could hear the voice-over of a man reading a letter that he wrote for Weronika. He started to talk to her about politics and the change that had to occur. The voice says, “promise to communicate our problems… isolation will destroy you.” The next shots showed Weronika strolling all alone throughout the forest, but it seemed like she didn’t mind it, it looked like she was comfortable on her own. The voice went on to tell her “you cannot stay, you cannot avoid certain things. Isolation strips you, which is a hard pill to swallow”. We eventually saw Weronika grow up into a teenager. She was still wearing a red and yellow outfit like she wore when she was younger but she was no longer isolated from the world. She was ready to have the entire world listen to her sorrows.  We saw her practicing how to sing and dance K-pop songs with her polish friends. She stood out from her group because she was the only one wearing yellow, the rest of them wearing white, back, and red. Weronika asked herself, “Do you really think I’m cute or just different?” As much as she tried to feel like a part of them, she doubted herself at times.

 They practiced their dance routines around old buildings, streets with powerlines on the floor, and monuments that can draw similarities to the war that the voice was telling Weronika about. The images of Weronika stabbing a strawberry with her nail, the red and gold balloons of the year 1898, and the burning of music sheets made it feel like the dance group was getting ready to fight and as if the dance was more towards violence. The last part of the film looked like a dance music video, Weronika was in the middle of the group and was the lead singer. I liked how this film focused on voices, images, and dance to represent war, unity, and reorganization.

Blog post

The experimental film I went to go see for this assignment is Maɬni – Towards the Ocean, Towards the Shore, directed by Sky Hopinka. The film follows two people of Chinook ancestry, Sweetwater Sahme, and Jordan Mercier as they walk through their home in the Columbia River Badin. They discuss their journey in life, their families, and their views on the afterlife. Hopinka gives them equal screen time by filming them separately as they share their stories. In the film, I noticed the subtitles would change when each subject would speak. When Sahme speaks in English the subtitles are in Cinuk Wawa. When Mercire speaks in Cinuk Wawa the subtitles are in English

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As we follow Sahme in the forest, we learn that she is expecting her first child. Sahme’s plan is to give birth in the same living room her grandmother has passed away in. She believes that her grandma’s presence is still in the home and that her grandmother is going to help her bring life into this world. Sahme goes on to say that she does believe in reincarnation due to the strong connection she has with her grandmother. 

Most of the time we spent with Sahme was near the waterfall, it is her favorite spot because it brings her peace, and she likes to stare at the beauty of nature surrounding the forest. It allows her the private space to think. We also spend time with Sahme in her living room. This is where she talks about her childhood memories. Her mother raised her as a single parent. She is grateful for the strength her mother has put in her and hopes to be as great a mother as she was to her growing up.

Mercier is expecting his second child. When asked about why he grew his hair long, he explains that it is the way his ancestors had it and it’s a way to honor his tribe. Every time his hair grows longer it makes him feel stronger. As he gets older, he learns more about his ancestors and that is why he continues with his journey in life. Most of the time spent with Mecier we see him at special events with his tribe. He takes his wife and daughter with him, which is a great way to keep the tradition going. Mecier’s wife ends up giving birth to their son, Vincent. Mecier shares that every time he sings his grandfather’s song to his son, Vincent becomes well. The song will continue to be passed on to the next generation.

When Hopinka explores the cycle of life we see images of the sea, forest, and sky. Both subjects see the transition into the next life as a peaceful and beautiful part of life. Hopinka shoots long takes of the gathering of the confederated tribes throughout the film. This helps the audience learn much about the Chinook culture. We see clips of drummers. singers and dancers. We also see Mercier contribute to all these activities and see how committed he is to his tribe. The film allowed us to explore the lives and culture of the Chinookan.