2015

Video Projection

Homer’s Iliad describes a character that is in the worst imaginable position – known as the ‘hearthless‘ (lawless, stateless man); describing a figure in the worst possible state: outside the civic order of things. The figure is separated from people of their own kind; separated from laws and lands of their people.

At the same time, there’s something beautiful in observing this ‘other,’ making one feel thankful and privileged.

Observing parallels between the hearthless figure and personal experiences of living on and off the Shinnecock Indian Reservation in Southampton, NY; Dennis’ narrative video reflects upon the feeling of alienation in one’s own land; appropriating films that embodies these concepts while also defamiliarizing the often stereotypical and exotic American Indian characters they feature.

Audio from Shawshank Redemption.

Film clips from Pathfinder, Windtalkers, The New World, Road to Paloma, Dream Keeper, The Indian in the Cupboard, Smoke Signals, The Lone Ranger One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Outlaw Josey Wales, Dances With Wolves, Apocalypto, The Last of The Mohegans, Maina, and The Searchers