REFLECTIONS was one part reconstruction and one part installation of the Siston Theater, an Art Deco theater built in 1939. The idea was to restore the theater’s facade and marquee sign to make it look and feel like a working theater. The installation involved light sensitive vinyl that was applied directly to the entry glass doors and two side windows. Digital projectors were mounted from the lobby of the Sister Theater allowing imagery to be seen from the outside. This “inside-outside” experience was separated into four phases.
The first phase was completed by students from Sisseton High School. They were asked to complete the sentence: I am . . . using up to three words describing their experience growing up in the culturally diverse community of Sisseton. The second phase were paintings and photography created by artists living and working throughout Sisseton to include the Siseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe. Works of art were paired with poetry both being digitally projected side-by-side. The third and fourth phases involved community members (who were randomly chosen) to complete the sentence: Sisseton is . . . using up to three words to describe their connection to family, community, and history. Along with each of the completed sentences, paintings and photography were once again projected side-by-side.
REFLECTIONS was about opening dialogue through poetry, story-telling, paintings, and photography on topics related to cultural displacement, customs and celebrations, identity, history, and the natural landscape of the Coteau des Prairie and Lake Traverse Reservations.
Thank you to the Sisseton Arts Council, South Dakota Arts Council, Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, students from Sisseton Public Schools, local businesses and nonprofit organizations, and the community as a whole. Lastly, special thanks to artist, Nicholas Blaske, for helping with all things digital.
