Artist Mekko Harjo (Quapaw) reactivates his modular floor sculpture Again, Over and Over, Repeatedly, with an immersive sonic presentation of treated archival field recordings, affected synthesizers, and amplified noise.

Again, Over and Over, Repeatedly, 2024-Ongoing

Western linguists have long considered “language death” a consequence of Native American acculturation. From the perspective of Dr. Robert L. Rankin, who in the 1970’s compiled a comprehensive document of Quapaw vocabulary and pronunciation, Quapaw language “extinction” during modernization was largely the result of individuals choosing English over Quapaw as their primary tongue.

Language decimation is not a symptom of acculturation but rather an enforced aim of colonization. Myriad Indigenous languages, including Quapaw, have been pushed to the brink of disappearance through violent denial of land, community and traditional practices.

Contrary to a belief in cultural evolution put forth by imperial ideologies, Indigenous languages are known to hold potential to regain future fluency. As Indigenous resurgent thinkers have offered, languages with no current native speakers ought to be considered “sleeping” rather than extinct.
This piece presents space for language to activate nonlinear forms of relationality; of time, place, and sensation. Fluency begins with feeling.

Accessibility note: this performance includes flashing lights and loud noise.