A humane, personal, yet publicly placed set of experiences that take shape as public portraits and water wells, each linking to a companion mobile experience to further augment the stories told.
Using juxtaposition and personification this artwork combines the imagery of oil and portraits of Anshinaabe women - the Protectors of Water - and hopes to bring awareness to the danger of Line 5, a major oil pipeline in the Enbridge Lakehead System which conveys petroleum from western Canada to eastern Canada via the Great Lakes states. To their core, Anishinaabe women are a powerful force of strength and wisdom. They are known for their natural ability to lead & protect and are known as inspiring activists. The Anishinaabemowin word, mindimooyehn (old woman), translates in english to, "the one who holds everything together from the family to the nation”. In order to protect future generations, they have a sacred responsibility to protect Earth's water and are now calling on all allies for support in stopping Line 5.
Collaborators:
Hailey Swiatowy - Communication Designer | Teammate
Matthew Raupp - Communication Designer | Mentor
William - Photojournalist | Mentor
Public Placement of system
This process began with researching the history of Michigan’s tribes, conducting safe and respectful interviews with the Anishinaabe people, and most importantly, unlearning.
