They Sustain Us by Skawennati - World Premiere

Gray Area presents the World Premiere of Skawennati's latest machinima and performance work, They Sustain Us, a unique exploration of sustainability, unity, and Indigenous futurism through the lens of the Three Sisters—Squash, Beans, and Corn.

On March 22, Gray Area will host an opening party, including drinks, small bites, and the first screening of the immersive machinima music video plus a live runway show of Skawennati’s latest collection. Featuring models of indigenous heritage from the local area and around the country, this presentation will take the virtual looks off the screen and into the physical world. Afterward, Skawennati will engage in a rich discussion with Philip Rosedale, entrepreneur and founder of Second Life: the virtual world where Skawennati concepts and creates her work.

Before the main show, Associate Curator Wade Wallerstein will lead a tour through Calico & Camouflage: Assemble!—a three-channel, immersive machinima film which features Skawennati’s prior work with fashion design. Just like in the collection presented for They Sustain Us, the looks from Calico & Camouflage bring fantastic virtual designs into physical form—empowering wearers to simultaneously proclaim their Indigeneity and their readiness to resist ongoing assimilation.

Organized by: Gray Area Foundation for the Arts