L’nuisimk: El-noo-we-simk: Speaking Indian
L’nuwisimk is rooted in exploring the dynamic of the indigenous and settler-colonial relationship of language and the exchange of culturally-based knowledge rooted in language.
Johnson and Parsons sit across from each other on a pair of stools where they enter into a broken dialogue of Mi’kmaq and English as a means to try to discuss the socio-political circumstances of their direct environment as it changes over the course of the performance. This nomadic process will inform the dialogue that takes place during each performance based upon their individual and mutual surveys of the procession.
This project is NOMADIC and will roam about the city:
1st stop is at the Friendship Centre around 6pm
2nd stop is at Burial Grounds in Dartmouth at Sinnot Hill Park around 8pm
3rd (and final) stop is at the Archway at the end of Granville Court around 10pm
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L’nuwisimk s’enracine dans l’exploration de la dynamique des relations autochtones et
coloniales et de l’échange de connaissances culturelles ancrées dans la langue. Johnson
et Parsons sont assises l’une en face de l’autre sur une paire de tabourets où elles entrent
dans un dialogue brisé en Mi’kmaq et en anglais afin d’essayer de discuter des circonstances
sociopolitiques sur leur environnement direct au cours de cette performance.
Parsons demande à Johnson si elle lui apprendrait sa langue. Johnson demande pourquoi.
Une conversation, une réciprocité, une propriété et une réconciliation s’étendent
au fur et à mesure que Kinuk continue d’échanger des mots dans les deux langues.
Pour cette itération, Kinuk explorera plus en détail les échanges et l’espace au sein de
cette performance qui a été créé en pensant à des sites spécifiques. Pour ce faire, le
spectacle se déroulera à des intervalles de 15 à 20 minutes sur quatre sites qui ont une
signification personnelle pour la relation de ce couple de 15 ans. Ensemble, elles marcheront
en portant leurs tabourets sur le lieu des performances et resteront dans leur art
tout au long du trajet d’un site à l’autre. Ce processus nomade et de questionnement
alimentera le dialogue au cours de chaque performance.
Johnson and Parsons will be revisiting a durational performance created in 2013 for the Charlottetown PEI night festival Art In The Open. Under the collaborative name of Kinuk, Johnson and Parsons have been creating works about the interpersonal nature of their relationship based upon their queerness, gendered embodiment, geographic affiliations and being a bi-racial couple.
L’nuwisimk is rooted in exploring the dynamic of the indigenous and settler-colonial relationship of language and the exchange of culturally based knowledge rooted in language.
Johnson and Parsons sit across from each other on a pair of stools where they enter into a broken dialogue of Mi’kmaq and English as a means to try to discuss the socio political circumstances of their direct environment as it changes over the course of the performance.
Parsons asks Johnson if she would teach her language to her. Johnson asks why. A conversation of exchange, reciprocity, ownership and reconciliation is further developed as Kinuk continues to exchange words from both languages.
In PEI L’nuwisimk was performed at the intersection of a crossroads in Victoria Park of Charlottetown.
For this iteration Kinuk will further explore these exchanges and the space within the performance that is created by site specific consideration. To do this the performance will take place in 15-20 minute intervals at four locations that hold personal significance to the couple’s 15 year relationship together in Kjipuktuk. Together they will walk carrying their stools to pre-set performance sites and will remain in performance throughout the procession from site to site.
This nomadic process will inform the dialogue that takes place during each performance based upon their individual and mutual surveys of the procession.
