“Notes on an Occupation” (Dec 2011)
Amanda Hass
Mixed media: video and print

This mixed-media installation explores the role of Native American voices within the
recent Occupy Movement. It features printed blog posts with highlights by the artist and a video of the December 4, 2011 General Assembly meeting of Occupy Oakland.

Occupy Wall Street recognizes the injustice created between people by American capitalist economy which aggravates gaps between the rich and poor. While focusing specifically on class issues, voices have come out to criticize the notion that “a rising tide will raise all boats”. What is the conversation that these voices are generating? Where does the notion of decolonization fit within this movement? This installation focuses on the typed word – the democratizing language of the blogosphere (the connected community of news, opinions and personal experiences). I find the mapping of conversations through posting comments to be a significant illustration of the depth of ideas as well as enjoyable to read. I’ve printed a variety of posts from well known and frequently referenced to some that have flown under the radar. Additionally, the comments are all included and I have taken the liberty to highlight (what I find to be) particularly contentious opinions and ideas. The flurry of paper intends to physically represent the concepts presented by indigenous voices and the conversation that is starting to happen. There is video of the December 4, 2011 General Assembly meeting of Occupy Oakland. Here, Indigenous peoples presented a proposal to change the name of the movement from “Occupy Oakland” to “Decolonize Oakland”. The brief discussion that took place in a face-to-face facilitated meeting such as the GA does not contain the depth found through the online forum. The proposal failed to pass.

installation