Kaha:wi Dance Theatre presents multimedia performance activation

TALKING EARTH

As a part of the Gardiner Museum Indigenous Public Art commission - ArtworxTO by Santee Smith

PERFORMER BIOGRAPHIES:

 

Photo by Vladimir Kanic

SANTEE SMITH / TEKARONHIAHKWA

Santee Smith is a multidisciplinary artist from the Kahnyen’kehàka Nation, Turtle Clan, Six Nations of the Grand River. She trained at Canada’s National Ballet School, completed Physical Education and Psychology degrees from McMaster University and a M.A. in Dance from York University. Santee premiered her debut work Kaha:wi - a family creation story, in 2004 and one year later founded Kaha:wi Dance Theatre which has grown into an internationally renowned company. Smith’s artistic work speaks about identity and Indigenous narratives. Her body of work includes 14 productions and numerous short works which tour nationally and internationally. Her commissions include choreography for the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Canadian Opera Company, North American Indigenous Games, among others. She is the recipient of the K.M. Hunter Award; Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Award; John Hobday Award; Hamilton Music Award for Kaha:wi; Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Choreography in Dance for Susuriwka – willow bridge, REVEAL Indigenous Arts Award, and the inaugural Johanna Metcalf Prize for the Performing Arts. Her work Blood Tides received Outstanding Production and Outstanding Performance Ensemble in Dance at the 2019 Dora Mavor Moore Awards and 5 Dora Mavor Moore 2020 awards went to her production of The Mush Hole. Santee is a sought-after teacher and speaker on the performing arts and Indigenous performance and culture. Her life and works have been the topic of TV series and films and most recently on CBC Arts - The Move II. Smith is the 19th Chancellor of McMaster University.

Photo by Vladimir Kanic

SEMIAH SMITH

Semiah is a Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) singer/songwriter from Six Nations, Ontario. She began professionally singing traditional music from her Haudenosaunee heritage in her late teens in solo performances and as a member of the singing trio, Hatiyo (the good voice).

At the same time, she also began writing songs in English, however had never published any of her contemporary works until her first single, ‘Nothing Can Kill My Love for You’ debuted on May 14th, 2021. Semiah continues to challenge herself in her songwriting to explore the nuances of identity, love, and the growing pains of her twenties.

PRODUCTION CREDITS: 

Photo by Vladimir Kanic

 

Talking Earth - Ceramic Commission

Public Art Commission: Gardiner Museum

Inspiration: Elda “Bun” Smith, Steven T. Smith, Leigh Smith

Concept/Design/Ceramic Sculptural: Santee Smith

Ceramic Sculptural Builder: Jordi Alfaro

Ceramic Technical: Carmela Laganse

Clay Slip: Steven T. Smith

Consultants: Leigh Smith and Steven T. Smith

  • Pottery from artist matriarch Elda “Bun” Smith

  • Smith family photos for the animation and design.

Technical Build/Framing: Mike Kukucska at Hamilton Scenic Specialty Inc.

Engineer: Azra Ross at Epiphany Engineering

Digital Media/3D Animation: Emma Lopez, Pedro Narvaez at AVA Animation & Visual Arts Inc.

A/V studio: Thru The Red Door

Creation/Production Partner: McMaster Studio Arts, Operations and Productions, Faculty of Humanities

McMaster University

  • Operations and Production Manager: Patrick Brennan

  • Technical support/Documentation: James Kendal

  • Studio support: Troy Coulterman, Briana Palmer, Ana Maria Skrtic, Judy Major-Girardin, Eric Euler, Alex Roberts, Benjamin Cummings

  • Additional facility and studio support/firing: Sumanth Shankar

Documentary footage of Steven T. Smith: Ralph Brown at Waterfront Productions

Sponsors: Canada Council for the Arts

Photo by Vladimir Kanic

 

Talking Earth - Performance

Producer: Kaha:wi Dance Theatre

Creator/Design/Performer: Santee Smith

Live vocalist/Durational Potter: Semiah Smith

Dramaturgy: Monique Mojica

Musical Score:

  • Energies featuring the vocals by Jennifer Kreisberg”, Impending Doom by Adrian Dion Harjo

  • Ohnekanos the Waters by David R. Maracle with additional mixing by Donald Quan

  • Here On Earth – Opening and Duet songs composed and performed by Donald Quan

  • Kaha:wi Soundtrack – Death produced by Santee Smith with Dan Hill (flute) and Bob Doidge

  • Clay composed and performed by Jennifer Kreisberg

Music recording and mixing: Brody Joseph, Thru The Red Door

Costumes: Elaine Redding and Santee Smith

Production Manager: James Kendal

Event Assistant: Senjuti Sarker

Event Technical Production: Solotech Inc. 

Production Sponsors: Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council

Nia:wen to Steve and Leigh Smith who continued the Onkwehon:we pottery legacy through Talking Earth