invited to an Art Opening
June 25, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UBC Museum of Anthropology Announces
Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas –
Meddling in the Museum
July 10, 2007 – December 31, 2007
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Opening Reception Tuesday, July 10, 2007, 7:00 pm (free; everyone welcome)
Haida artist Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas mixes it up at MOA with three site-specific installations inspired by the Museum’s current Renewal Project. Michael’s new works incorporate media as diverse as a stolen-but-recovered car hoods and copper leaf (Coppers from the Hood), argillite dust and an entire canoe-bearing Pontiac Firefly (Pedal to the Meddle), and an interactive Haida manga mural using abandoned archaeology storage trays (Bone Box). In the process, he brings his own brand of humour, narrative, and social commentary to jumpstart new debates in the Museum’s changing spaces.
The July 10 opening will take place “tailgate style” on the Museum grounds, with a picnic and music by THREE fantastic local bands – The Byrd Sisters, Jamie Thomson and the Culturally Modified, and Sister Says.
The Byrd Sisters are three Haida women who, like their bird-relatives, share a love of singing and drumming. The Byrd Sisters are Itlqujatqut’aas, Lori Davis (Dadens Ravens, yahgu janaas), Guulangwas, Jacqueline Hans (Skidegate Eagles, Gidins, Naa-Ewans Xyadaga), and Gid7ahl-gudsllay, Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson (Skedans Ravens, gak’yaals kiigawaay).
Thomson’s band, composed of Jamie Thomson (guitar, vocals), Brent Shindell (guitar), Robert Thomson (bass), and Trevor Ainsworth (drums, percussion) plays original electric and acoustic music that reflects upon life and world issues (www.intellifunk.com). Sister Says brings together Gillian Thomson (vocals), Robert Thomson (bass), Trevor Ainsworth (drums/percussion), and Jeff Younger (guitar) for sets that range from experimental rock-jazz and alternative soul to classical (www.myspace.com/sistersays).
Installations curated by Karen Duffek, Curator, Contemporary Visual Arts. Thanks to Canada Council for the Arts for their support of this project.
Artist Profile
Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas was raised in Delkatla on Haida Gwaii. He is a political “Arrrtist,” and has worked professionally seeking solutions to jurisdictional disputes between colonial and indigenous governments both here in Canada and abroad. His artworks have been shown in Japan, Korea, England and, most recently, as part of the Vancouver Art Gallery’s exhibition Raven Travelling. As well, he is author of A Tale of Two Shamans and The Last Voyage of the Black Ship (www.mny.ca). His illustrated book, Hachidori, now in its third printing, sold 100,000 copies in Japan.
Contact
For images or to arrange interviews, please contact Jennifer Webb, Communications Manager
UBC Museum of Anthropology, 6393 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2
604.822.5950 jenwebb@interchange.ubc.ca www.moa.ubc.ca