LOS ANGELES — The Autry Museum of the American West is currently hosting an exhibition titled “Future Imaginaries: Indigenous Art, Fashion, Technology” as part of the Getty Foundation’s PST ART: Art & Science Collide program. The show, which will be on display until June 21, 2026, features over 50 pieces by contemporary Indigenous artists exploring themes of time, technology, futurism, and science. The goal of the exhibition is to challenge traditional notions of Native art and showcase the diverse approaches and perspectives of Indigenous artists.
One of the standout pieces in the exhibition is Rose B. Simpson’s sculpture “Ground (Witness)” (2016), which stands over eight feet tall. Printed at the feet of the sculpture is a thought-provoking message from the artist: “Maybe ‘apocalypse’ is the opportunity we are looking for, even if we don’t quite know it yet.” This sentiment reflects the ongoing struggle of Indigenous communities in the face of European settler colonialism.
The exhibition is divided into three sections, with the first section titled “Suiting Up: Armor, Regalia, Haute Couture” focusing on fashion, performance, and ceremonial regalia. Artists like Wendy Red Star and Jontay Kahm reimagine traditional designs by incorporating elements of community, environment, and available resources into their work.
Caroline Monnet’s “Echoes from a Near Future” series (2022) features a monumental portrait of six women and three children blending traditional Indigenous art forms with modern materials. The exhibition also includes videos of performances by Catherine Blackburn and Cannupa Hanska Luger, showcasing wearable art as embodied works.
The “Indigenizing Sci-Fi” section explores how Indigenous artists reclaim and reinterpret motifs from mainstream science fiction. Artists like Will Wilson subvert traditional sci-fi narratives to reflect their own cultural contexts and experiences.
The final section of the exhibition, “Critical Mass: Indigenous Technologies, Ecologies, and the Future,” features an interactive sculpture by Kite and Devin Ronneberg titled “Ínyan Iyé (Telling Rock)” (2019). This immersive piece explores the relationship between humans and non-human entities through light, sound, and motion sensors.
Tammy Tallchief’s “Space Farmer with Radishes” (2010–22) challenges traditional notions of food sovereignty and Indigenous plant knowledge by showcasing the successful cultivation of radishes in outer space. Virgil Ortiz’s multimedia installation “Sirens and Sikas” from the series “ReVOlt 1680/2180” offers a glimpse into an alternate history where Spanish colonizers were overthrown during the 1680 Pueblo Revolt.
Overall, “Future Imaginaries” presents a thought-provoking and visually stunning exploration of Indigenous art, fashion, and technology. The exhibition challenges viewers to rethink their perceptions of Native art and consider the ways in which Indigenous communities are shaping the future through their creative expressions.
