Where are the Canals?
Installation & description
8''x8'' shadow box; created with various paper mediums
The genesis for this project emerged when we stumbled upon the crucial realization about the flooding roads here in Arizona. This awareness eluded me until the very moment I was told out loud: the reason that our roads and streets in Arizona flood is because they were constructed on the intricate canal systems built by the Hohokam peoples that existed since approximately 400 CE. This revelation led me to question why this vital aspect of the region's history remained (and remains) so obscure. Why has this knowledge been overlooked, even though it fundamentally shaped our landscape?
A brief examination of maps of Arizona reveals this discrepancy. The canals, integral to our past and present, are relegated to obscurity, existing as either mere afterthoughts or completely invisible in the background. Thus, we aimed to deconstruct and reimagine these colonial representations by positioning the canal system as the center of importance.
To do so, we engaged in a meticulous process of collecting various maps and manipulating their outlines and content. We selectively removed extraneous information, peeling back layers to reveal the canals' concealed significance. Central to our vision was to engage with the the deeply rooted tradition's of Native peoples in Arizona which we found similar connections with Hawaiian culture in Hawai'i, where we grew up. The hand-weaving done in this project thus symbolizes the convergence of two distinct yet harmonious realms: our own artistic expression and the coming together of knowledge, ideas, and information across land(s), time, and culture(s). This fusion manifested both visually and tangibly, resulting in a multifaceted exploration of Arizona's canal systems that transcends the boundaries of traditional cartography.
Other features of the project include poems and book cover of Tohono O'odham poet, Ofelia Zepeda's Ocean Power, news articles, and various maps/visuals.
Media
Where are the Canals?
Installation & description
8''x8'' shadow box; created with various paper mediums
The genesis for this project emerged when we stumbled upon the crucial realization about the flooding roads here in Arizona. This awareness eluded me until the very moment I was told out loud: the reason that our roads and streets in Arizona flood is because they were constructed on the intricate canal systems built by the Hohokam peoples that existed since approximately 400 CE. This revelation led me to question why this vital aspect of the region's history remained (and remains) so obscure. Why has this knowledge been overlooked, even though it fundamentally shaped our landscape?
A brief examination of maps of Arizona reveals this discrepancy. The canals, integral to our past and present, are relegated to obscurity, existing as either mere afterthoughts or completely invisible in the background. Thus, we aimed to deconstruct and reimagine these colonial representations by positioning the canal system as the center of importance.
To do so, we engaged in a meticulous process of collecting various maps and manipulating their outlines and content. We selectively removed extraneous information, peeling back layers to reveal the canals' concealed significance. Central to our vision was to engage with the the deeply rooted tradition's of Native peoples in Arizona which we found similar connections with Hawaiian culture in Hawai'i, where we grew up. The hand-weaving done in this project thus symbolizes the convergence of two distinct yet harmonious realms: our own artistic expression and the coming together of knowledge, ideas, and information across land(s), time, and culture(s). This fusion manifested both visually and tangibly, resulting in a multifaceted exploration of Arizona's canal systems that transcends the boundaries of traditional cartography.
Other features of the project include poems and book cover of Tohono O'odham poet, Ofelia Zepeda's Ocean Power, news articles, and various maps/visuals.
Media
Where are the Canals?
Installation & description
8''x8'' shadow box; created with various paper mediums
The genesis for this project emerged when we stumbled upon the crucial realization about the flooding roads here in Arizona. This awareness eluded me until the very moment I was told out loud: the reason that our roads and streets in Arizona flood is because they were constructed on the intricate canal systems built by the Hohokam peoples that existed since approximately 400 CE. This revelation led me to question why this vital aspect of the region's history remained (and remains) so obscure. Why has this knowledge been overlooked, even though it fundamentally shaped our landscape?
A brief examination of maps of Arizona reveals this discrepancy. The canals, integral to our past and present, are relegated to obscurity, existing as either mere afterthoughts or completely invisible in the background. Thus, we aimed to deconstruct and reimagine these colonial representations by positioning the canal system as the center of importance.
To do so, we engaged in a meticulous process of collecting various maps and manipulating their outlines and content. We selectively removed extraneous information, peeling back layers to reveal the canals' concealed significance. Central to our vision was to engage with the the deeply rooted tradition's of Native peoples in Arizona which we found similar connections with Hawaiian culture in Hawai'i, where we grew up. The hand-weaving done in this project thus symbolizes the convergence of two distinct yet harmonious realms: our own artistic expression and the coming together of knowledge, ideas, and information across land(s), time, and culture(s). This fusion manifested both visually and tangibly, resulting in a multifaceted exploration of Arizona's canal systems that transcends the boundaries of traditional cartography.
Other features of the project include poems and book cover of Tohono O'odham poet, Ofelia Zepeda's Ocean Power, news articles, and various maps/visuals.
Media
