Description:
This installation is inspired by the idea of “pehonan” (Cree – gathering or waiting place) and the oral traditions of Indigenous people as well as the many stories told of this area. It offers a space for teaching, storytelling, or performance.
Conceptually, it references the oral roots of this place, and the ways in which stories change depending on proximity to the source. “The furthest back seat (at the top) references the deep past. It’s farthest from our reach when you are at the base, but when you are sitting at the top you have the greatest field of vision with perhaps the greatest perspective. When you sit on the lowest seat you are closest to the future, but not able to see to far into the distance,” [1]
Speaking directly to the idea of gathering, pehonan emphasizes the shifting perspectives of storytelling. Utilizing amphitheater style seating in tandem with a traditional circle, it provides a collective area for people to sit and gather. Pehonan references materials used by generations of Indigenous people, through prehistoric, fort and present eras – into future conditions. [2]
References:
[1] City of Edmonton Public Art Collection. Accessed June 23, 2021. https://edmontonpublicart.ca/#!/details/186.
[2] “Pehonan – Tiffany Shaw.” Tiffany Shaw-Collinge. Accessed June 23, 2021. http://www.tiffanyshawcollinge.com/pehonan.
Additional information:
“Guide to Exploring ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞: Explore Edmonton.” Guide to Exploring ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞ | Explore Edmonton. Accessed June 23, 2021. https://exploreedmonton.com/articles/guide-to-exploring-river-lot-11.
“Pehonan by Tiffany Shaw-Collinge.” NationTalk. Accessed June 23, 2021. https://nationtalk.ca/story/pehonan-by-tiffany-shaw-collinge.
“Tiffany Shaw-Collinge.” Tiffany Shaw-Collinge | Art Gallery of Alberta. Accessed June 23, 2021. https://www.youraga.ca/bio/tiffany-shaw-collinge.
“‘Telling the Stories of This Place’ .” ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞. Accessed June 23, 2021. https://publicart.edmontonarts.ca/IAP/.
Project Title: pehonan (at ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞)
Artists: Tiffany Shaw-Collinge
Year: 2018
Place: Edmonton, AB
ALB, Alberta, Architecture, Art, City, Completed Projects, Exhibit, Functional, Gallery, Indigenous, Landscape, Museum, Nature, Outdoor, Park, Permanent, Play, Public, Sculpture, Urban