Casey Koyczan's Ełexiìtǫ ; Ehts’ǫǫ̀ / Connected ; Apart From Each Other is an installation that communicates the journey of accessing one’s culture through distance education and research, presenting new technologies as viable tools for learning language, tradition, stories, and spiritual beliefs.

Artist Statement

After leaving my hometown of Yellowknife when I was seven years old, a disconnect of my culture started to form; I lived all over Western Canada and even though I have met some amazing people and experienced many things, I was away from my people and language. Throughout my life there have been times where I would return to the Northwest Territories and slowly learn more about who we are as Dene people and our specific practices, songs, and beliefs, but those instances were far and between. Within my early adulthood I felt the obligation and importance of learning as much of my culture as possible by using the knowledge I have acquired and the technology that I enjoy working with.

Hanging logs mimic the power of nature and the relationship that we all have with the land. The resonance of sound and song from within the logs emphasize the steps towards finding the connection to culture. The multi-channel Dene drum, electronic instruments, guitar, and chanting occupies the space and flows throughout the logs in various patterns. The experimental visuals with the Dene Laws converted to binary code reference the exploration of this digital path motivated by a thirst for knowledge, personal reflection, and understanding of cultural identity.

—Casey Koyczan

Read Jas M. Morgan's essay about the exhibition here.


EXHIBITION DATES

March 2—April 23, 2022
Hours: Tuesday—Saturday, 11am—6pm
Note: Please check our visitor guidelines prior to your visit. Our visitor policy remains responsive to the active COVID-19 situation and may change from time to time.

RELATED EVENTS

Opening Reception
Wednesday, March 2 | 7pm—9pm
FREE (no registration required, please note limited capacity)

Artist Talk: Casey Koyczan
Thursday, March 31 | 7pm—8pm (EST)
Online via Zoom
FREE (register here)

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Casey Koyczan is a Tlicho Dene interdisciplinary artist from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories who uses various mediums to communicate how culture and technology can grow together in order for us to develop a better understanding of who we are, where we come from, and what we will be in the future. He creates with whatever tools necessary to bring an idea to fruition, and works mostly in sculpture, installation, 3D modelling, VR/360, experimentation, filmmaking, and audio works such as music, soundscapes and film scores. He is an international artist who has participated in many residencies, exhibits, festivals, and collaborations in parts of the world such as Finland, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, The Netherlands, and the UK. He is also a musician, producer, filmmaker, actor/narrator, and advocate for future generations of artists and musicians. He has a Multimedia Production diploma from Lethbridge College, a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Thompson Rivers University, and a Masters of Fine Arts degree from the University of Manitoba.


Image: Casey Koyczan, Ełexiìtǫ ; Ehts’ǫǫ̀ / Connected ; Apart From Each Other, presented at Urban Shaman, 2021. Photography by Karen Asher.