This month I am proud and honored to reveal one of my projects that I have been working on in secret with a handful of respected mentors. What I have finalized and submitted is a proposed new flag for my tribe and territory that incorporates cultural history and symbolism, traditional colors, and is a marker of our contemporary identity. This is something that I have thought about for many years but could never settle on any particular aspects that seemed to fully encapsulate the Ninilchik Tribe's identity in a simple, honest, and celebratory manner. I was motivated to finalize a design not only because this era of social unrest inspired me to more deeply examine the role of symbols in culture, but I also wanted to be able to give something back to the community that continues to support myself and my work. Our culture has such a distinct heritage it is more than deserving of its own visual identity to share, especially in the face of indigenous culture loss and a global society experiencing uncertainty and needing to find their roots for balance. For a brief and full description sheet please see the Nudech'ghela Flag page in the Works section. There are still some other projects I am addressing at the moment but I can't reveal anything else quite yet, and as I've stated before I am persistently filled with anticipation for them. Please continue to have a safe and happy spring and summer. - Argent |
It's now spring and as this year develops I am continuing to work on projects behind the scenes for future unveiling. As with the current sticky honey rhythm of rest of the world this is a moment for myself to step away from producing work and instead focus on the elements that go into creating my pieces and installations, looking for new ways to manipulate my inspirations and visual goals. There is one project in particular that I am incredibly excited to share but will not be making any announcements about until I am absolutely confident with its creative aspects and incorporating the feedback of a wonderful impromptu team of people I've been consulting with along the way. Right now I'm hoping that this reveal will take place during the summer months and so far it is looking very achievable.
Additionally I wanted to share that I was recently nominated and elected a board member at the Bunnell Street Arts Center, whom I have mentioned many times as they are very much my home city gallery and has hosted a solo exhibit on top of numerous individual works for fundraising events. Having the opportunity to take a formal position in being able to connect the arts and arts education with more people by sharing my own experiences and values is something that I take on with much respect and reverence. Being a mostly self-taught artist I know the challenges of developing senses of identity, purpose, and perspective all the while tackling a barrage of new media and method with no instruction manual in sight and definitely no compass guide you. It is my goal both as a director and in my own work to connect people to new forms and ideologies for individuals and societies to celebrate themselves in a communicative manner, and further exercise their cultural self-determination through the exchange of the thoughts, processes, and inspirations found in the economy of the arts. Lastly I will be working on a print version and dedicated page for the Yiƚ calendar, a Dena'ina culture inspired calendar system that I created as part of the Qena Sint'isis project, as there has been so much piqued interest in its inspirations and symbolism. Please look for that later on as well. Previously mentioned works from Apollo's Siheyuan including the Apollonic Mirrors and Dnayi Scrolls are still available for sale and any sales inquiries about them can be made directly to me via my contact email. These are being handled on a contact basis so that any commission values can be calculated independently from my store system which is only connected to my personal business. Again, thank you very much for your interest and I hope everyone reading this is enjoying a safe and healthy season. |