The term "Indigenous Futurism" is attributed to Anishinaabe author and professor Grace Dillon, who took inspiration from Afro-Futurism to shape this field. This concept allows artists within historically marginalized or disenfranchised communities to reimagine cultural futures by exploring resilience, creativity, and transformation, and isn’t confined to the realms of science fiction, technology, or space. Indigenous Futurism intertwines science and speculative fiction, inviting us to envision worlds where European colonization either never took place or wasn’t as overpowering, creating space to imagine sovereignty and a deeper integration of Indigenous cultures in the present and future.
This theme has resonated deeply with me since visiting the Lowe Art Museum's exhibition, Virgil Ortiz: Slipstream, on view until January 11, 2025. The installation is a narrative inspired by the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, envisioning a future uprising by Indigenous groups similar in 2180. Through characters who battle colonial forces, Ortiz gives voice to the Cochiti tribe’s struggle for sovereignty. His work in the exhibition disrupts colonial narratives by amplifying Indigenous voices and traditions through speculative, immersive art forms. By imagining a future centered around Indigenous communities, Ortiz emphasizes the role of cultural preservation within futuristic realms.
At a time when marginalized voices often go unheard, Indigenous Futurism stands as a powerful vision of hope and empowerment. This art movement provides a platform for creators to envision futures where their communities not only survive but thrive, drawing upon deep cultural roots and advancing their narratives in bold, imaginative worlds.
The complex history between Indigenous Americans and colonial forces is filled with pain and injustice, and reflecting on it often stirs feelings of anger. But seeing artists like Virgil Ortiz channel these emotions into works on Indigenous Futurism feels both crucial and inspiring. Art, in this context, becomes a tool for social change—one that illuminates historical relationships and engages with society on deeper levels. It invites us to connect with diverse perspectives, allowing collective imagination of a more inclusive future. Art is a profound vehicle for envisioning the future, and movements like Indigenous Futurism offer an intersection of cultural heritage and futuristic possibilities.
References:
Dillon, G. & Marques, P.N. (2021) “Taking the Fiction Out of Science Fiction: A Conversation about Indigenous Futurisms, e-flux Journal.
https://www.e-flux.com/journal/120/417043/taking-the-fiction-out-of-science-fiction-a-conversation-about-indigenous-futurisms/
“Inside Indigenous Futurism” (n.d.) Virgil Ortiz. https://www.virgilortiz.com/inside-indigenous-futurisms
“Indigenous Futurism” (n.d.) Learn about digital Art, at Mackenzie Digital Art Gallery.
https://mackenzie.art/digital-art/learn-about-digital-art/indigenous-futurism/
Image: Po’pay, Leader of the Pueblo Revolt from the “Revolt 1680/2180” series. Photograph Courtesy of Virgil Ortiz
Sophia Plancich is a Senior, graduating in December 2024, at the University of Miami. She is majoring in Ecosystem Science & Policy and Geography & Sustainable Development, with minors in Art and International Studies. She is a passionate environmentalist, with special interests in art history, art and environmental education, and earth sciences. Sophia served as the Museum Education Intern during the Fall 2024 semester. |
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