Smart Wars – Fighting for Gaa-miinigoowiziyang
“What we were given”
Rory Wakemup, Mixed Media
EXHIBIT September 3 – (UPDATED) November 22, 2024
TALK October 5 at 5:30
TIPI BUILD Join Rory Wakemup at the Rail River Folk School during the week of November 18 – 23 to learn canvas tipi construction. Drop in any time between noon and 4pm (updated). More →
CANCELLED OCTOBER 5, 2024: Tipi sculpture installation postponed indefinitely due to high winds.
Smart Wars: Kill the Idiot Save the Fan 2.0
Written by the Weltmuseum Wien – Vienna, Austria (Submitted by the Artist, Rory Wakemup)
Smart Wars: Kill the Idiot Save the Fan 2.0 was originally meant to be purely performance. By flipping the script on pop culture’s stereotypes of Native Americans, Rory Wakemup wants to help ignorant fans of Native culture to understand the difference between dehumanizing racism and what truly honors Natives.
In a world where invisibility is the new racism, he wants to contribute to help rid the world of racist stereotypes yet still use his “pan-Indian” culture to show that he is still here and proud of what little is left of his culture due to genocide. He does not speak for all Natives, he speaks for himself and he intends to humanize himself and his culture.
His personal relationship with Star Wars is, ironically enough, cultural. In the artist’s perspective, Native Americans are humorous if nothing else. As he sees it, it is not very common to have Star Wars references in ceremonies. But when they do arise, they are used to appropriate the Indigenous traits that were stolen from American Natives’spiritual beliefs.
These believes are centered around balance and the idea that the creator is in everything, thus everything should be treated with the same respect. Star Wars colonizes that belief into stating that only a certain few are special and can live in that balance; and it gives those skills to be better killers.
Thus, references of the Jedi and Sith are used in ceremonies for humorous banter to both compliment and humble each other.
Curator’s Statement by Karen Goulet, Miikanan Gallery
The Miikanan Gallery is excited to have the opportunity to share the genius of Rory Wakemup and his ongoing vision. This body of work was created between 2016-2023 and is part of a larger body of work that has been created through community engagement and artistic drive. Rory’s gift of connecting people through action and art is noteworthy. The caliber and craft found in these works reflect the talent Wakemup has and what he can inspire in others.
Recognized in the art world as an innovative thinker Rory is fearless in bringing Indigenous concerns to light through his artwork and community activism. One can see the results of his vision in this exhibit.
Created through collaboration with other artists and community members there is a power and presence to each of these sculptural works. Much like a theatre production the characters will change to share more of the story with others. From dismantling stereotypes to making visible the exploitation of earth’s resources, the missing and murdered Indigenous peoples, to celebrating the power in our survival Rory constructs narratives that tell our stories.
Wakemup comes from a family who stand up and stand ground when it comes to environmental concerns and treaty rights. They are culture bearers who share their knowledge generously with others. Rory continues this practice through his art, culture camps, community activism and engagement. We look forward to the various ways Rory will be engaged with our region during the exhibit.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
