Nicholas Galanin
Aáni yéi xat duwasáakw (I am called Land) On View
Aáni yéi xat duwasáakw (I am called Land) is an exhibition by acclaimed Alaska-based Tlingít and Unangax̂ artist Nicholas Galanin. Featuring a new kinetic sculpture and video installation, the presentation invites viewers to reflect on the interconnectedness of land, culture, and humanity.
At the heart of the exhibition is a large-scale, suspended Tlingít box drum, an integral object in ceremonial traditions. The drum is activated by a robotic arm that beats in rhythm with a human heart, filling the darkened space with sound and vibration. Silent video projections of ocean waves envelop the gallery walls, evoking the land’s relationship to the sea. Through these elements, Galanin considers the cultural and spiritual significance of Tlingít drums, traditionally crafted from natural materials and adorned with designs central to clan identity. By automating the drum’s rhythm, the artist contrasts ancestral traditions with the impact of cultural erasure and commodification.
This exhibition coincides with the inaugural Boston Public Art Triennial, where Galanin will unveil a monumental public installation addressing the erasure of Indigenous knowledge systems and the colonial exploitation of land, entitled I think it goes like this (pick yourself up). MAAM is proud to be the only museum partner commissioning a second project by a Boston Public Art Triennial artist.
MAAM gratefully acknowledges the engineering contributions of Ani Prasad and Aaron Size of Helbling USA, Cambridge, MA. MAAM's unique and imaginative exhibitions, events, and programs could not happen without the support of Anonymous, Natalie and Jake Lemle, The Jean Gaulin Foundation, and The Andrée LeBoeuf Foundation — thank you!
Additionally, the artist would like to thank the Alturas Foundation for their support of the creation of Aáni yéi xat duwasáakw (I am called Land) as part of its Artist In Residence program. The Alturas Foundation Residency Program encourages artists to explore fresh directions and provides opportunities to develop new ideas over an extended period of time.
