Photo: Courtesy of the Peabody Essex Museum
SALEM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Starting May 11, the public can help the Peabody Essex Museum construct its newest sculpture: a pluming tin cloud crafted from metal cones worn during Ojibwe healing rituals known as Jingle Dances.
The piece will debut at the Salem Arts Festival June 8, but museum curator Karen Kramer said she hopes it will start a long-lasting dialogue about "Native resistance, Native resilience and Native brilliance."
"Being able to take part in an art project that really lives on is really special," Kramer said.
Peabody Essex Museum Prize recipient and Seneca Nation member Marie Watt leads the project.
Jingle Dances originated during the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic, according to the museum. The tin cones are believed to contain healing powers.
Cones in the new installation were made from the circular lids of tobacco containers.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Brooke McCarthy (@BrookeWBZ) reports.
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