Many pieces of our culture, in both artifact and ceremony have been lost. Intercepted by purposeful destruction and the banning of our cultural practices and language for over 80 years. This piece sits on the intersection of our fragmented past and ongoing growth into the future.
The focal point of the scene is of a ghostly feast spoon, a symbol of our cultural practice of gathering, of sharing stories and food, along with other artifacts whos spirit refuses to move on. MR/AR scenes visible through guided VR tour or AR tablets show the active spiritual world surrounding the artifacts.
Embodying the theme of being stolen, the installation to the unsuspecting visitor appeared to be just a beautiful, ornate resin spoon illuminated in a simple packing crate. However, once Signals 2024 guests took a look through the lenses of the VR goggles or though the iPad camera, a whole other world was revealed superimposed on and around the physical installation. Guests were able to walk-up and admire the physical and AR pieces at their leisure.
Watch this interview with the artist!
Watch this interview with the artist!
Embodying the theme of being stolen, the installation to the unsuspecting visitor appeared to be just a beautiful, ornate resin spoon illuminated in a simple packing crate. However, once Signals 2024 guests took a look through the lenses of the VR goggles or though the iPad camera, a whole other world was revealed superimposed on and around the physical installation. Guests were able to walk-up and admire the physical and AR pieces at their leisure.
Meet the Artist
Raven John,
an artist, activist, and involuntary comedian of Stó:lō and Coast Salish decent. This Two-spirit Trickster is a BFA graduate from ECU, with a major in visual art and minor in social practice and community engagement. Raven is a visual artist, cultural consultant, storyteller, designer and sculptor. A jack-of-all-trades (and master of a few), their practice covers a wide array of mediums from provocation and humor, VR and XR development in theater, puppet making, ceramics, dressmaking, interactive electronics and indigenous technologies.Their work focuses on decolonization, disability justice and educating while trying to have a good fucking time.