Jackson 2Bears is a multimedia artist and cultural theorist who’s work “explores the aesthetics of contemporary Indigenous identity—its various manifestations, transformations, simulations and hybridizations—within the context of our hyper-mediated, technologically saturated culture (http://jackson2bears.net/).”
My first exposure to his work was through his Vimeo posting of ‘Ten Little Indians’: a remix embedded with visuals that creates a very strong artistic portrayal of children being stolen from their families by social workers.
10 Little Indians [Remix] – 2005 from Jackson 2bears on Vimeo.
Jackson 2bears is also a member of Beat Nation: a group who’s aim is to promote Indigenous hip hop culture. Their belief is that through this popular medium, they are not assimilating to colonialist culture; rather, they are challenging it by using mainstream technology to promote Indigenous culture.
“These artists are not turning away from the traditions as much as searching for new ways into them. Hip hop is giving youth new tools to rediscover First Nations culture. What is most striking about this work is how much of it embraces the traditional within its development. (http://www.beatnation.org). ”
For me, I am interested in Jackson 2bears work because it directly challenges the notion that Indigenous culture is a historical reference. Both sonically and visually he portrays our modern environment through a critical Indigenous lens.