A:gajë:gwah dësa'nigöëwë:nye
(I hope it will stir your mind)

2025

A:gajë:gwah dësa'nigöëwë:nye (I hope it will stir your mind) is a performance work

AND series of community engagement activities of cultural exchange between Haudenosaunee artists and Native community from other Native nations in Minneapolis, MN.

A:gajë:gwah dësa'nigöëwë:nye (I hope it will stir your mind) is a project of Rosy Simas, Rosy Simas Danse, and the Walker Art Center.

About this Work

Credits

A:gajë:gwah dësa'nigöëwë:nye
(I hope it will stir your mind)

Images

On a stage, seven pale beings hover, each under concentrated spotlights in a sea of darkness: A tall, white pleated paper sculpture close to the edge of the stage (down stage right) is evocative of the DNA helix, and spans the height of the theater. Next to the helix (mid-stage) is a broad rectangular panel textured with horizontal ripples like a water current. Center stage is a mid-length white dress with short sleeves, floating from the dark. Next to the dress in diagonal succession are four towering rectangular panels who approach the stage's edge (towards downstage left). They echo each other in dimension and in their bold zig-zagging line motifs on rippled textured surfaces. Below, the dimly lit audience fills front row seating.

On a starkly lit stage, Rosy Simas deconstructs a large white length of paper with black line drawings reminiscent of maps, or zoning plans . Rosy presses an open palm against a thigh to hold the drawing which spills onto the black floor, and pulls a piece of the paper apart with the other hand. The floor is littered with other fragments of the drawing. Similar floor-length large drawings tower high surrounding Rosy, who wears a fitted black sleeveless outfit. A large pleated paper sculpture evocative of the DNA helix hovers in the foreground. .

With back to the camera, Rosy Simas kneels sitting on her heels in a massive space, wearing only tan underwear. Her dark, glossy hair parted in the center falls forward, revealing a smooth, bare back, with a dark, round compact tattoo on her shoulder blade. She hunches slightly, pitching to one side, with one arm reaching forward and the other arm skywards with a long crooked finger. In the background is a white garment spread out on the wooden floor.

With back to the camera, Rosy Simas lays extended on her side, wearing only tan underwear. Her legs extend and float horizontally with flexed, soiled feet. Her torso rests on a bent arm. Rosy's head inclines towards the earth, her dark hair spilling onto the wooden floor.

Rosy Simas perches in cool light, slightly pitched forward, on one foot flat and the ball of the other, She looks down at one extended arm which she caresses carefully with her other hand. Her extended palm curls at the fingers. She wears a white knee-length pleated circle skirt and tucked matching blouse with short full sleeves. Her hair is dark with blunt bangs. The sharp outline of her dark shadow looms behind her on the wall

Photos by JB Gelle, Rosy Simas, and Ian Douglas

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A:gajë:gwah dësa'nigöëwë:nye
(I hope it will stir your mind)

About this Work

Credits

A:gajë:gwah dësa'nigöëwë:nye
(I hope it will stir your mind)

Funding Statement