"Unknown" was an Installa(c)tion in situ located on the north side of Ah-Nab-Awen Park ("Resting Place" park), in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. The installa(c)tion lasted 19 days. This site is a documentary of events.
"Once a native american village, Ah-Nab-Awen Park is the keynote of the essence of the City of Grand Rapids, which inherit the warmth of the villagers who took care of all the travelers who stop there to rest; influence that still nowadays can be felt by any visitor to this city.
Photo of the site-to-be at the first day of arrival, July 10th 2012
“Unknown” is an attempt to honor that past through “oral/technological transmission”, through sound and sight, is an attempt to grasp the spirit, the practices, the Teachings of the Anishinaabe people that once lived in this place. To me, Ah-Nab-Awen, is not only a place for the body to rest, but a vortex that can lead us to experience an inner rest that a peaceful place can provide.
I hope that through “Unknown” contemporary travelers will be nourished with understanding, spirit of reconciliation, forgiveness and respect... the paths to peace and love" [ Lili(ana), 2012 ]
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Guidelines at the site
"Unknown" is a participatory, interactive installation based on the Anishinaabe (Great Lakes Native American) culture.
Enter the site, lean against the device, and listen to the whispering trees. They will guide you to discover "Unknown".*
At the center of the installation there is a tree that was cut off (stump). You are also welcome to participate with the artist in weaving the center tree. She will provide you with the necessary material. While we cannot change the past, we can learn from it and weave the future together.
*the trees will only whisper Mon - Fri 2 to 8, Sat 12 to 8, Sun 12 to 6. Attention: some days they will stop whispering even before the given time.
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Transcript from a recording that could be heard at the site through the phone
A very long, long, time ago, there was an Anishinaabe village in this place. Yes, this very place where you are standing. The village was the heart of every trail because all of them will lead to it and from it would lead to all directions. As all hearts do, the village would nourish the travelers, it would provide them with rest, with care, so they can recover and strengthen before continuing with their journey. It was “Ah-Nab-Awen”, a “resting place” for all who passed by.
“Unknown” is an attempt to honor that past through “oral/technological transmission”, through sound and sight, is an attempt to grasp the spirit, the practices, the Teachings of the Anishinaabe people that once lived in this place. To me,
Ah-Nab-Awen, is not only a place for the body to rest, but a vortex that can lead us to experience an inner rest that a peaceful place can provide. I hope that through “Unknown” contemporary travelers will be nourished with understanding, spirit of reconciliation, forgiveness and respect... the paths to peace and love.
I believe that is more precious to have a peaceful, giving Anishinaabe village as the foundation of a city, than some ruins where people were killed.
I would like to give recognition and my deepest gratitude to all the Anishinaabe people and modern settlers of this enchanted place that generously offer their support, voices and sounds for this oral/technological transmission.
Miigwetch, Thank you for passing by.
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Tree voices credits:
Zoey Wood-Salomon (Native North American poet and artist), Isadore Toulouse (Anishinaabemowin Specialist, 7 Grandfathers translations), Nathan Roy (Anishinaabe singer & composer, Song: "Respect the land, Respect what you have"), Frank Bartley (Anishinaabe singer), Black Foot Confederacy Elders - Canyon Records, Brian Frisina aka Raven Redbone (Olympia Washington Resident/Host/Producer of "Make No Bones About It." Sundays 4pm-6pm, KAOS radio 89.3FM, Olympia, WA)
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Interview at "Unknown"