3.4 Digital and new media in Indigenous art

Indigenous artists are embracing digital tech to create mind-blowing art. They're using everything from VR to online platforms, blending traditional vibes with cutting-edge tools. It's opening up new ways to tell stories and connect with audiences worldwide.

But it's not all smooth sailing. There are worries about cultural appropriation and data privacy. Plus, not everyone has equal access to tech. Still, digital art is helping Indigenous artists reclaim their narratives and preserve their heritage in exciting ways.

Digital Technologies in Indigenous Art

Incorporating Digital Technologies and New Media

Top images from around the web for Incorporating Digital Technologies and New Media

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  Uncovering Indigenous Stories at this “Place of Mind” - UBC Centre for Teaching, Learning and ... View original

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  Locale, an Environment-Aware Storytelling Framework Relying on Augmented Reality View original

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  Uncovering Indigenous Stories at this “Place of Mind” - UBC Centre for Teaching, Learning and ... View original

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Top images from around the web for Incorporating Digital Technologies and New Media

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  Locale, an Environment-Aware Storytelling Framework Relying on Augmented Reality View original

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  Uncovering Indigenous Stories at this “Place of Mind” - UBC Centre for Teaching, Learning and ... View original

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  Museums in cyberspace | Pursuit by The University of Melbourne View original

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  Locale, an Environment-Aware Storytelling Framework Relying on Augmented Reality View original

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  Uncovering Indigenous Stories at this “Place of Mind” - UBC Centre for Teaching, Learning and ... View original

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• Contemporary Indigenous artists increasingly incorporate digital technologies and new media into their artistic practices, including digital photography, video, animation, virtual and augmented reality, interactive installations, and online platforms
• Digital technologies allow Indigenous artists to experiment with new forms of storytelling, cultural expression, and audience engagement, creating immersive, interactive experiences that challenge traditional boundaries between art, technology, and the viewer (interactive virtual reality installations)
• Indigenous artists use digital tools to create works that blend traditional imagery, symbols, and narratives with contemporary aesthetics and technologies, reflecting the ongoing evolution and resilience of Indigenous cultures in the digital age (digital animation incorporating traditional motifs)
• Digital art provides opportunities for Indigenous artists to reach global audiences, collaborate with artists from other communities, and participate in international exhibitions and festivals (online exhibitions, virtual artist residencies)

Challenges and Considerations

• The use of digital technologies in Indigenous art is not without challenges, including issues of access, as the digital divide can limit the participation of some Indigenous artists and communities in the digital arts
• Cultural appropriation is a concern, particularly when non-Indigenous individuals or organizations use Indigenous imagery, symbols, or stories without permission or context in digital platforms
• Maintaining the integrity and authenticity of traditional knowledge and practices while incorporating digital technologies requires careful consideration and respect for Indigenous protocols and values
• The collection and use of Indigenous cultural data, including images, videos, and other digital assets, raises concerns about privacy, consent, and the potential for misuse or exploitation, necessitating ethical frameworks and protocols that prioritize Indigenous data sovereignty and benefit-sharing

Digital Media for Indigenous Perspectives

Asserting Cultural Identities and Challenging Stereotypes

• Digital and new media offer powerful tools for Indigenous artists to assert their cultural identities, challenge stereotypes, and reclaim control over the representation of their communities
• Through digital storytelling, Indigenous artists can share their histories, languages, and worldviews in engaging, accessible, and culturally relevant ways, including the use of oral histories, personal narratives, and community-based knowledge (interactive documentaries, podcasts)
• Digital platforms provide spaces for Indigenous artists to build communities, share resources, and support each other's work, with social media becoming an important tool for connecting with audiences, promoting work, and engaging in activism and advocacy (hashtag campaigns, online artist collectives)

Immersive Experiences and Digital Resistance

• Virtual and augmented reality technologies allow Indigenous artists to create immersive experiences that transport viewers to sacred sites, ancestral lands, and other culturally significant spaces, fostering empathy, understanding, and respect for Indigenous perspectives (virtual reality tours of sacred sites)
• Digital and new media enable Indigenous artists to subvert and critique dominant narratives, challenge colonial legacies, and imagine alternative futures through the use of glitch art, remix culture, and other forms of digital resistance (memes, digital collages)

Digital Media and Indigenous Culture

Documenting and Preserving Cultural Heritage

• Digital technologies offer new possibilities for documenting, archiving, and disseminating Indigenous art and cultural heritage, including the creation of digital databases, virtual museums, and online collections accessible to communities and researchers worldwide (online archives of traditional art)
• Digital preservation can help protect Indigenous art and cultural materials from loss, damage, and deterioration, which is particularly important in the face of climate change, natural disasters, and other threats to cultural heritage
• Digital platforms can help revitalize and promote Indigenous languages, which are often central to the transmission of cultural knowledge and artistic practices, through the development of language learning apps, online dictionaries, and other digital resources (interactive language learning games)

Education and Economic Empowerment

• Virtual and augmented reality technologies can be used to create immersive educational experiences that teach about Indigenous art, culture, and history, engaging younger generations and promoting cultural pride and resilience (virtual reality cultural education programs)
• Digital and new media can support the economic empowerment of Indigenous artists and communities through the development of online marketplaces, e-commerce platforms, and other digital tools that enable artists to sell their work directly to consumers (online Indigenous art marketplaces)

Ethics of Digital Media in Indigenous Art

Ownership, Control, and Cultural Appropriation

• The use of digital technologies in Indigenous art raises important questions about ownership, control, and access to cultural knowledge and intellectual property, necessitating protocols and guidelines that respect Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination in the digital realm
• Digital platforms can be sites of cultural appropriation and misrepresentation, particularly when non-Indigenous individuals or organizations use Indigenous imagery, symbols, or stories without permission or context, highlighting the need for greater awareness and accountability around these issues

Balancing Innovation and Tradition

• The use of digital technologies can sometimes be seen as a threat to traditional artistic practices and ways of knowing, requiring approaches that balance innovation with cultural continuity and respect for Indigenous protocols and values
• Initiatives that support digital inclusion and capacity building in Indigenous communities are necessary to address the digital divide and ensure equal access to technology and digital literacy for Indigenous artists and communities