Opening Festival | Merciless: Indigenous Lands Since 1776

Join us for the opening of " 'Merciless': Indigenous Lands Since 1776", an exhibition that examines the enduring relationship between the original peoples and the Mississippi River in Bde Ota Othúŋwe (Minneapolis). Featuring new indoor and outdoor installation works by Marlena Myles, Missy Whiteman, and Natchez Beaulieu, the project foregrounds Indigenous histories through a constellation of immersive forms, including an augmented reality installation, a virtual reality experience, and a mosaic seating structure overlooking the river.
The festival extends the exhibition into a communal gathering with a Native vendor fair, live music, food trucks, artist demonstrations, guided tours, and opportunities to connect with the artists and collaborators shaping the project.
Free and open to the public. Show your WAM member card at the welcome desk for a free coffee or NA beverage!
'Merciless' is organized by Weisman Art Museum and curated by Kendra Greendeer, Ihlenfeld Curator of Collaborative and Community Exhibitions.
Special thanks to the KHR McNeely Family Foundation, Kevin, Rosemary, and Hannah Rose McNeely, for their support of Merciless: Indigenous Lands Since 1776. This project is also supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts and The University of Minnesota Imagine Fund. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through an Art Experiences grant and an Operating Support grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Additional general operating support is generously provided by Ameriprise Financial.
Image credit: Graphic designed for the Merciless exhibition by Savannah Berlyn for Weisman Art Museum.