Be a ‘spect-actor’ at this immersive Filipino Indigenous exhibition in NYC

NYC’s Filipino indigenous exhibition through the collaboration between La MaMa Experimental Theater Club and Kinding Sindaw invites you to be a ‘spect-actor’ | Photo from Kinding Sindaw/Facebook

From language preservation to unique art forms, Indigenous traditions are dynamic expressions of identity and resilience. They embody cultural significance passed down through generations, encompassing spiritual beliefs, sustainable practices, and communal values deeply connected to the land, especially in the Philippines and its diaspora. 

In the immersive exhibition “In Honor of the Ancestors: Indigenous Living Traditions from the Philippines in Diaspora,” La MaMa Experimental Theater Club and Kinding Sindaw in New York unite to preserve the cultural tapestry of Indigenous communities.

The showcase, running from Jan. 11 to 26, at La MaMa Galleria on 47 Great Jones Street, encapsulates the essence of preserving ancestral legacies.

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Through a diverse array of mediums, including photography, video, and sacred heirlooms, the exhibition not only honors the hereditary and creative forebears from Mindanao and downtown New York but also serves as a testament to the commitment of safeguarding these living traditions.

According to La MaMa on their official website, the exhibition celebrates the cultural heritage and story of Kinding Sindaw.

Various artists, including the late Bai Labi Hadji Amina, Sultan Mamintal Dirampaten, Corky Lee, June Maeda, Sultan Mohammad Giwan Mastura, and Ellen Stewart, contribute their work to weave a compelling narrative.

Utilizing techniques from “Theater of the Oppressed,” visitors are invited to immerse themselves in an interactive installation, transforming the space into a community hub for live performances, ceremonies, lectures, discussions, and workshops. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage as “spect-actors,” encouraged to participate fully in the experience by taking off their shoes and becoming an integral part of the unfolding story.

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Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this interactive journey into the heart of indigenous living traditions. Operating hours for the exhibition are from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., with attendance available through a suggested donation of $5 to $20.