REDress ProjectThe REDress Project is a public art installation dedicated to the remembrance of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous women. It consists of red dresses, hanging or laid flat in public spaces, with each empty dress symbolizing one of the missing and murdered. Canadian Jaime Black (Métis) began the project in 2000. She told CTV News that "a friend of [hers], who is also an aboriginal, explained that red was the only color spirits could see.
'So (red) is really a calling back of the spirits of these women and allowing them a chance to be among us and have their voices heard through their family members and community.'’
Proposal
For my proposal, I'd create an art piece that visually represents the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movement in a way that humanizes this issue to people who are not aware of this, and or not affected by it.
This issue itself is a difficult subject to talk about, let alone educate people that are outsiders to any or all Native American issues. What I'd want for my project is to reach out to people that are not educated about this issue, which would be primarily non-natives. For all my projects, I have been the decision-maker and continue to be, so regardless of how 'real' and 'uncomfortable' my issue is, I know exactly how I envision my project, which will be in a visual-art format
Acrylic Painting I’d paint a large acrylic ‘mural’ on a canvas that captures the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women Movement. I have the idea of using a reference photo of myself in my own traditional Navajo outfit to paint, because in a way big way, this issue relates to Native women and girls like myself and I want to express how possible the thought and idea of being a victim is a true reality. I would also add elements to the painting that symbolizes that it’s part of this movement, and in the case of the MMIW, it’s the color red, and also red handprints over . the face or body. In various tribes, red is known to be the only color spirits see. It is hoped that by wearing red, we can call back the missing spirits of our women and children so we can lay them to rest.
Film I also want to produce a film that encaptures native perspectives, experiences, and thoughts. I think that with this issue, there are a lot of point of views that think that because it doesn’t apply to them, they shouldn’t care and if there are elements that I corporate that ‘humanizes’ this issue to outside perspectives, I believe it will not only bring more awareness but truth. I have the idea of also incorporating some data into it to emphasize that although this person is explaining their experience, statistic shows there are thousands more that are still unheard of.