Jackson 2bears, Kanien’kehaka artist and scholar, presents a lecture about his artistic project, Ne:Kahwistará:ken Kanónhsa’kówa í:se Onkwehonwe. This multimedia, communal VR installation is a collaborative creation of 2bears and 2RO MEDIA, developed in partnership with members of the Six Nations of the Grand River Community.

Premiering at the 2RO MEDIA Festival in Ohsweken in October 2023, the artwork unfolds on a 34-foot panorama screen, utilizing multiple projectors to craft an immersive environment complemented by a 14.2 channel surround audio system. Ne:Kahwistará:ken Kanónhsa’kówa delves into a fictional re-telling of the Haudenosaunee Creation Story, offering a cyclical narrative that traverses the realms of the past, present, and future.

This large scale installation, tailor-made for Thru the Red Door, a production venue in Six Nations, transcended its static presentation during the festival; It transformed into a dynamic space, hosting impromptu performances, dance, drumming, and various other creative and cultural practices.

Production and development was supported by MIT Co Creation Studio and MIT Center for Art, Science & Technology (CAST); additional project support was provided by the Canada Council for the Arts.

This event is part of the Art, Culture, and Technology Program Lecture Series and is co-sponsored by MIT Native American and Indigenous Association (NAIA), MIT American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), Co-Creation Studio, and CAST.

Accessibility:
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage and participate fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact higginsk@mit.edu.

Pre-lecture reception:
Join us at 5:15pm for light refreshments; lecture begins at 6pm.