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Haida Modern

Canada • 1h 19m

Directed by Charles Wilkinson • Documentary • 2020 • 80 minutes

Haida artist Robert Davidson is one of the foremost cultural icons of the age. HAIDA MODERN features candid and revealing conversations with the artist himself, along with commentary from art historians, politicians, musicians and family members detailing the importance and impact of Davidson's work. Highlighted in these conversations is the story of how Davidson carved the first totem pole raised on the island of Haida Gwaii in over 100 years_a spiritual and political act credited with sparking a reawakening of Indigenous culture in the Pacific Northwest.

In HAIDA MODERN, we see how Indigenous and non-Indigenous citizens alike_ inspired by Davidson's art_are coming together to forge political movements led by Indigenous activists and artists, fighting the critical environmental battles of our time. That is the great and enduring power of Robert Davidson's 14,000 year old indigenous Haida culture: the power of an art so beautiful, it must be seen over and again.

Tags
art history, artist, artists, bullfrog films, canada, canadian studies, carving, citizenship, contemporary art, cultural anthropology, environmentalism, expository, first nations, haida, haida gwaii, haida modern, hydaberg, indigenous activism, indigenous art, indigenous culture, indigenous spirituality and religion, indigenous studies, masset, modern art, ovid, pacific northwest, painting, robert davidson, s_0041, s_0065, s_0155, s_0156, s_0212, s_0254, s_0323, s_0469, s_0511, s_0643, s_0661, sculpture, skidegate, social movements and activism, sociology of art, the politics of art, title_h, totem pole, totems, visual artists, woodworking

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