book chapter
Physical and figurative repatriation: case studies of the Nuxalk Echo mask and the Nuxalk Sun mask
Switchbacks : art, ownership, and Nuxalk national identity, by Jennifer Kramer • Vancouver • Published In 2006 • Pages: 87-103
By: Kramer, Jennifer.
Abstract
In this article Kramer looks ...'closely at two old Nuxalk dance masks, one an Echo mask and the other a Sun mask, in order to explore how ownership is established and sustained in relation to the Western art market and the Canadian legal system'. In the first case noted above the author ...'tells a contemporary story about the sale of a Nuxalk Echo mask out of its community of origin and its eventual repatriation. The second case study describes Nuxalk responses to the display of a Nuxalk Sun mask in a museum exhibition'. According to the author the first case represents 'physical repatriation', the second, 'figurative repatriation'. In 'physical repatriation' a cultural object actually returns to its place of origin; while in 'figurative repatriation' ...'a Nuxalk claim of ownership is established by means of feeling connected, taking responsibility for and controlling the use of a cultural object without legally owning it. Thus, the mask is metaphorically returned to its origins even though, physically it remains in a foreign place, far from 'home' (pp. 87-88).
- HRAF PubDate
- 2010
- Region
- North America
- Sub Region
- Northwest Coast and California
- Document Type
- book chapter
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- John Beierle; 2010
- Field Date
- 1990s
- Coverage Date
- 1990-1999
- Coverage Place
- Bella Coola River Valley, British Columbia, Canada
- Notes
- Jennifer Kramer
- for bibliographical references see document 10: Kramer
- LCCN
- 2006445100
- LCSH
- Bella Coola Indians