How Reorienting History Changes What We See in Art
In short: Ned Blackhawk suggests that changing our historical perspective can fundamentally alter how we view art. Examining works like the Standing Bear/Mató Nájin piece, the conversation moves beyond simple cataloging to a deeper understanding of cultural narratives.
Ned Blackhawk suggests that reorienting our view of history might allow us to expand our view of the future. This perspective is highlighted through the examination of specific Native American artworks held by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. One such piece is the Standing Bear/Mató Nájin work, which depicts the Battle of the Little Bighorn, dated circa 1920, and was created using pencil, ink, and watercolor on muslin.
The exhibition also features works from Maria Martínez and Julián Martínez, specifically a Black-on-Black Jar from 1919–20. These objects, crafted from clay and slip, are part of the Diker Collection, which The Met acquired through gifts. The inclusion of these diverse pieces suggests a curatorial effort to present a broader spectrum of cultural output.
The mention of the Diker Collection, gifted in 2017, and another gift in 2016, points to an ongoing process of expanding the museum's holdings. The documentation of the artwork's creation, such as the specific materials and dimensions (e.g., 36 in. x 8 ft. 9 1/2 in. for the Standing Bear piece), underscores the scholarly attention paid to these objects.
The overall presentation, involving credits for various crew members like Christopher Noey (Interviewer) and Alex Rappoport (Camera), frames the viewing experience itself as a constructed narrative, inviting the audience to consider the mechanisms behind the presentation of cultural history.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Historian Ned BlackHawk on Native American Artworks l MetCollects
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