Alena Rosen, Inuit Art, Inuit Voices: The possibility of a critical Inuit art discourse

This is a conversation with Ms Alena Rosen a Master's student in the dept of Native Studies at the University of Manitoba about her passion and work in Inuit art study. Alena gave a presentation in the Native studies colloquium series on March 2, 2012 about Inuit art entitled, Inuit Art, Inuit Voices: The possibility of a critical Inuit art discourse.  Alena has a great understanding of the history of Inuit art, its forms both in sculpture and print, the changes brought about by star artists, the concepts of folk art, the effect it has upon the economies in the North and communities as well the aesthetic qualities of Inuit art.

Alena Rosen is from Toronto, Ontario. In 2007, she completed her B.A. in Philosophy and Social-Cultural Anthropology at the University of Toronto. Her subsequent work experience at the Museum of Inuit Art in Toronto spurred her to pursue a graduate degree, and in 2010, she moved to Winnipeg to join the Department of Native Studies at the U of M.

Alena writes that her "research aims to recognize and emphasize Inuit perspectives on the creation and dissemination of Inuit art.  It also examines the relationship between Inuit art, and the production and transmission of Inuit knowledge within the context of colonization." She hopes her work will "contribute to a critical Inuit art discourse that can act as a counterpoint to established and on-going debates on Inuit art in academia and art institutions."

To Learn More (Podcast)
http://archive.org/details/AlenaRosenInuitArtInuitVoicesThePossibilityOfACriticalInuitArt
Here are some musical selections that Alena suggested for your pleasure:

1. Simeonie Keenainak he's a great accordion player from Pangnirtung (his music is featured in the recent viral video "feel the inukness" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iawDXQGQsr0.
2. Charlie Adams - Quviasuppunga [this song plays on the radio at LEAST once a day, it's a classic]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57MOlu45EJs 
3. Lucie Idlout- e5-770: my mother's name http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyCun8Le3jg
4. Tumivut - Movement  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJkXcUtBRhQ

Alenaerosen@gmail.com