On September 21, in conjunction with the exhibition, Tulsa-based artist Harkins will perform “Wampum / ᎠᏕᎳ ᏗᎦᎫᏗ,” where the artist sings in a combination of Cherokee, English, and Muscogee (Creek) to electronic dance music. This is partially inspired by sheet music of Indigenous music notated by Daniel Chazanoff during the 20th century.
As an act of Indigenous Futurism, it combines disco and Indigenous language in an effort to alter the fate of these endangered languages through active use, preservation on pressed vinyl, and ... view more »
On September 21, in conjunction with the exhibition, Tulsa-based artist Harkins will perform “Wampum / ᎠᏕᎳ ᏗᎦᎫᏗ,” where the artist sings in a combination of Cherokee, English, and Muscogee (Creek) to electronic dance music. This is partially inspired by sheet music of Indigenous music notated by Daniel Chazanoff during the 20th century.
As an act of Indigenous Futurism, it combines disco and Indigenous language in an effort to alter the fate of these endangered languages through active use, preservation on pressed vinyl, and radio play.
The performance of Wampum / ᎠᏕᎳ ᏗᎦᎫᏗ refers to Wampum belts and Indigenous peacekeeping as well as the Cherokee use of wampum beads as currency.
ᎠᏕᎳ ᏗᎦᎫᏗ, pronounced a-de-la di-ga-gu-di can be translated to “money on a string”.
The intention of the Wampum / ᎠᏕᎳ ᏗᎦᎫᏗ performance is to create a metaphorical peacekeeping agreement that is between the people watching the piece, regardless of tribe or race.
Over the past several years, Harkins created an online Indigenous concert series called “6 Moons” and published a CD of Creek/Seminole Hymns. She is the DJ of Mvhayv Radio, an Indigenous radio show on 91.1 FM in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and 99.1 FM in Indianapolis, Ind. Radio III / ᎦᏬᏂᏍᎩ ᏦᎢ is a dance performance in collaboration with dancer Hanako Hoshimi-Caines and artist Zoë Poluch featuring music and choreography by Harkins. With support from PICA and Western Front, songs from the performance have been collected into a limited edition double LP which can be found on Harkins’ Bandcamp.
Harkins, who resides on the Muscogee (Creek) Reservation and is an enrolled member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, incorporates Indigenous language into each of her endeavors. She does this as an act of reclamation, a step towards decolonizing Indigenous musical traditions, and an attempt to alter the fate of these endangered languages. This mission is through active use, preservation on pressed vinyl, and radio play.
She received her bachelor’s degree from Columbia College, Chicago, and a Master of Fine Art from the California Institute of the Arts. She has since continued her education at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. Harkins has exhibited her work at Crystal Bridges, Documenta 14, The Hammer Museum, The Heard Museum, and Vancouver Art Gallery.
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