Tradition and Post-tradition with reference to my curatorship of ‘Insyirah: The Art of Sulaiman Esa from 1980-2000′. Pak Sulaiman was in the audience! 

This design for a caribou skin parka made in the early 1920s by  Inuit shaman Ava  to protect himself spiritually has been appropriated by fashion line Kokon To Zai. Regardless of the technicalities of copyright and permissions, the question is – is it appropriate to appropriate sacred form for secular ends? And further – What is the place of tradition in the contemporary world?

Traditional tattoos are a form of sacred art. They signify animal totems, lineage and gender identity.They constitute a living record of  cultural concepts. They are a rite of passage and a symbol of bravery and a form of protection. Often prayers are said during the tattooing ritual. What happens in the secular application of these powerful motifs?

The Lax Kw`alaams are using social media to speak directly to Prime Minister Trudeau and the Humpbacks are talking too!

The Lax Kw’alaams Band mayoral elections were held last Wednesday and the incumbent Garry Reece, who had been openly supportive of the Lelu re-occupation ,was defeated by John Helin who is seen by some as a pro-development candidate. He is vice-president of Eagle Spirit Energy Holdings Ltd., which is proposing a pipeline project to transport upgraded oil from Alberta. It is unclear how their project will be affected by the liberal crude oil tanker ban and it equally unclear what his election means for PETRONAS and for LELU Island but investors are getting a little excited out there in cyberspace.

The machinations of a master… he sows the seed… sets the meme!