This interactive immersive installation is a collaboration between First Nations of Australia & Panama. The concept is based on Molas, a textile craft by the Guna people in Panama & the environmental & cultural challenges experienced by many indigenous groups globally.
The Guna people achieved sovereignty within the Guna Yala Archipelago, while in Australia the conversation on sovereignty & treaty is still unfolding. Both peoples face severe environmental impacts as a result of climate change. These parallels provide points of encounter & support in the struggles of both communities, with the intention of creating dialogues & making the stories visible.
The installation reconfigures the multiple layered fabric design of the Molas to create a succession of large fabric layers in which the spaces between contain musical compositions, recorded conversations with community leaders including Kutcha from Australia & members of the Rodriguez Guna Yala family in Panama.
The immersive experience invites people to walk between the layers of textile while being surrounded by spaces of sound & stories that connect artists, communities & their cultural exchanges.
The project was launched in the FAC, Melbourne in 2020. The second intervention is in 2021. Textile artist Emma will further elaborate on the Australian Layers with the female Rodriguez members, whilst musicians Daniel, Kutcha & the Rodriguez create the Panamanian conversation. The outcome will be presented in the MAC, Panama.