What might a space for Indigenous performance look and feel like? The sculpture Indigenous geometries (2019) is a response to this question, which was posed to the artist Tanya Lukin Linklater by a group of Indigenous architects after a talk about her performance practice. She developed the sculpture through a series of conversations with the architectural designer and artist Tiffany Shaw-Collinge. It is mobile, provisional, and draws on Alutiiq ways of being, architecture, and material culture.

In a series of rehearsals that are open to the public, dancers Ceinwen Gobert and Ivanie Aubin-Malo will move the wood components of the sculpture pieces into different relationships that speak to the ways in which Alutiiq (and more broadly, Indigenous) structures (governance, education, health, familial) have been actively dismantled by US and Canadian policies, and the ways in which Indigenous peoples continue to work toward putting their languages, families, and themselves back together again. The dancers and the sculpture will be accompanied on amplified violin by composer Laura Ortman.

A Song, a Felt Structure

• Open Rehearsal: December 12-14, 10 am - 4 pm

• Performance: December 14, 4 - 5 pm

Please note that open rehearsals do not require an Eventbrite ticket. Events are standing room only. If you require a seat for the performance, please email your request to programs@chicagoarchitecturebiennial.org.

The Chicago Architecture Biennial — open now through January 5, 2020 — is the largest exhibition of architecture, art, and design in North America. Explore how architecture shapes our communities, cities and environment through free exhibitions, performances, tours, films, and talks. Learn more about this event and view a full schedule of programs at chicagoarchitecturebiennial.org.