BC History Digitization Program

Dana Claxton, 'Ablakela'

Description

Ablakela, meaning 'calm' in the Lakota language, is a performance work by Dana Claxton, accompanied by Peyote Singers Johnny Mike and Verdell Primeaux of The Native American Church. The performance employs a large video projection of Claxton braiding grass live accompanied by singing, drumming, and rattle music by Mike and Primeaux, and explores Lakota spirituality and healing within a performance art context. Curated by Glenn Alteen, the live performance was later released as an enhanced CD-ROM project featuring performance video and stills and writing by Alteen and Lakota anthropologist Dr. Beatrice Medicine.

Pages

Ablakela Negative 07A
Title:
Ablakela Negative 07A
Date:
1999-10-16
Contributors:
Dana Claxton (Performer), Johnny Mike (Performer), Verdell Primeaux (Performer), Merle Addison (Photographer)
Type:
still image
Genre:
performance art
Description:
Dana Claxton braids grass in front of a live projected video showing a close up of her braiding work. Still from Ablakela by Dana Claxton.
Ablakela Draft Artist Statement
Title:
Ablakela Draft Artist Statement
Date:
1999
Contributors:
Dana Claxton (Author)
Type:
text
Genre:
artists' statements
Lakota Views of “Art” and Artistic Expression
Title:
Lakota Views of “Art” and Artistic Expression
Date:
2000-06
Contributors:
Beatrice Medicine (Author)
Type:
text
Genre:
essay
Liturgy for a New Secular World
Title:
Liturgy for a New Secular World
Date:
2000-06
Contributors:
Glenn Alteen (Author)
Type:
text
Genre:
essay
Letter from Glenn Alteen to Rita Deverell
Title:
Letter from Glenn Alteen to Rita Deverell
Date:
2000-05-04
Contributors:
Glenn Alteen (Author)
Type:
text
Genre:
letter
Ablakela CR-ROM Redwire Magazine Ad
Title:
Ablakela CR-ROM Redwire Magazine Ad
Date:
2003-02-01
Contributors:
grunt gallery (creator)
Type:
text
Genre:
advertisements
Dr. Beatrice Medicine Recent Work
Title:
Dr. Beatrice Medicine Recent Work
Date:
1999
Contributors:
Beatrice Medicine (Author)
Type:
text
Genre:
résumés
Dana Claxton Artist CV
Title:
Dana Claxton Artist CV
Date:
1999
Contributors:
Dana Claxton (Author)
Type:
text
Genre:
résumés
Ablakela CD-ROM
Title:
Ablakela CD-ROM
Date:
2000-06
Contributors:
grunt gallery (creator)
Type:
text
Genre:
CD-ROMs
Ablekela Print 06A
Title:
Ablekela Print 06A
Date:
1999-10-16
Contributors:
Dana Claxton (Performer), Johnny Mike (Performer), Verdell Primeaux (Performer), Merle Addison (Photographer)
Type:
still image
Genre:
performance art
Description:
Johnny Mike and Verdell Primeaux sing and play a drum and rattle while kneeling on the floor. Still from Ablakela by Dana Claxton.
Ablekela Print 28A
Title:
Ablekela Print 28A
Date:
1999-10-16
Contributors:
Dana Claxton (Performer), Johnny Mike (Performer), Verdell Primeaux (Performer), Merle Addison (Photographer)
Type:
still image
Genre:
performance art
Description:
Dana Claxton braids grass accompanied by Peyote Singers Johnny Mike and Verdell Primeaux. Still from Ablakela by Dana Claxton.
Ablakela Negative 03A
Title:
Ablakela Negative 03A
Date:
1999-10-16
Contributors:
Dana Claxton (Performer), Johnny Mike (Performer), Verdell Primeaux (Performer), Merle Addison (Photographer)
Type:
still image
Genre:
performance art
Description:
Curator Glenn Alteen introduces the performance. Still from Ablakela by Dana Claxton.
Ablakela Negative 20A
Title:
Ablakela Negative 20A
Date:
1999-10-16
Contributors:
Dana Claxton (Performer), Johnny Mike (Performer), Verdell Primeaux (Performer), Merle Addison (Photographer)
Type:
still image
Genre:
performance art
Description:
Johnny Mike and Verdell Primeaux sing into the microphone. Still from Ablakela by Dana Claxton.
Ablakela Negative 36B
Title:
Ablakela Negative 36B
Date:
1999-10-16
Contributors:
Dana Claxton (Performer), Johnny Mike (Performer), Verdell Primeaux (Performer), Merle Addison (Photographer)
Type:
still image
Genre:
performance art
Description:
Dana Claxton braids grass in front of a live projected video showing a close up of her braiding work. Still from Ablakela by Dana Claxton.
Ablakela Negative 35B
Title:
Ablakela Negative 35B
Date:
1999-10-16
Contributors:
Dana Claxton (Performer), Johnny Mike (Performer), Verdell Primeaux (Performer), Merle Addison (Photographer)
Type:
still image
Genre:
performance art
Description:
Dana Claxton braids grass. Still from Ablakela by Dana Claxton.
Ablakela Video Documentation
Title:
Ablakela Video Documentation
Date:
1999-10-16
Contributors:
Dana Claxton (Performer), Johnny Mike (Performer), Verdell Primeaux (Performer), Mike MacDonald (Videographer)
Type:
moving image
Genre:
performance art
Description:
Video documentation of Ablakela by Dana Claxton.

Pages