Absence | PresenceThank you for visiting ABSENCE | PRESENCE. Absence | Presence responds to the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people (MMIW, MMIWG, MMIWG2S, MMIP). It explores burden, support and connectivity in relation to this ongoing tragedy. Through materials and negative space, the artwork prompts viewers to reflect on the impact of gender, race and class on MMIWG2S. The installation emphasizes the interconnectedness of those affected and aims to redefine the void as a space of presence, fostering reflection and action.
A velvet band with 5,712 hand embroidered details, is woven through the space in this installation. 5,712 represents the number of reported MMIWG2S cases. In contrast there are 116 white embellishments, representative of cases that were logged into the US Department of Justice's missing persons database NamUs. Through the interplay of materials, Absence | Presence seeks to encourage viewers to consider the ways in which MMIWG2S have been impacted by the intersections of gender, race and class, to highlight the ways in which Indigenous people are burdened by this ongoing crisis, and to evoke a sense of the interconnectedness of all those affected. With the construction a dynamic space that effects movement and interaction, Absence | Presence aims to provide an evocative experience that prompts viewers to think deeply about this issue. The hope is that Absence | Presence will serve as a platform to carry the MMIP crisis forward into viewers' lives, acknowledging the systems that incubate these statistics and inspiring them to take action and effect change in their communities. |
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Location & DateNovember 15th 2023
12pm - 5pm smARTspace at 78th Street Studios 1300 W. 78th Street Cleveland OH 44102 There will be no fee to experience ABSENCE | PRESENCE, all are welcome. Thank you for your interest. |
resources
Resources, statistics and informational graphics about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Crisis.
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Statement from the Department of the Interior on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People's Crisis.
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Statement from the White House regarding Missing and Murdered Indigenous People's Day May 5
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MMIW toolkit for families and communities including resource materials, jurisdiction assessment, and contacts.
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2017 study of 71 cities in the USA and The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Crisis. Published in 2018.
Download available via link or below. 
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Cloak Of Invisibility: Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women. Factsheet of resources and organizations.
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a culturally-appropriate, anonymous & confidential service available 24/7. Call or text 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483), or chat online at strongheartshelpline.org
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BIA, Missing and Murdered Unit established in 2021 to focus on analyzing and solving missing & murdered & human trafficking cases involving American Indians & Alaska Natives.
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Information on the Not Invisible & Savannah's Act being signed into law. The Indian Law Resource Center is a non-profit law and advocacy organization.
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