III.
Bingo at la Guilde
Miwon Kwon asserts that "site-specific art can lead to the unearthing of represses histories, provide support for greater visibility of marginalized groups and issues, and initiate the re(dis)covery of 'minor' places so far ignored by the dominant culture."
Back home, we have two bingo halls. Growing up, it was a stereotype that natives and old people love bingo. While it was funny that old people liked it, it was a negative thing that Indigenous people did. It was said that the Indigenous people who liked bingo had gambling and addiction problems, they were just living off of the government and spending money away on bingo and booze. When people would say things like this to me, I think that they forget that, I too, am native. These comments would silence my soul. It wasn't about the bingo.
What people don't know is that bingo is about community.
Miwon Kwon asserts that "site-specific art can lead to the unearthing of represses histories, provide support for greater visibility of marginalized groups and issues, and initiate the re(dis)covery of 'minor' places so far ignored by the dominant culture."
Back home, we have two bingo halls. Growing up, it was a stereotype that natives and old people love bingo. While it was funny that old people liked it, it was a negative thing that Indigenous people did. It was said that the Indigenous people who liked bingo had gambling and addiction problems, they were just living off of the government and spending money away on bingo and booze. When people would say things like this to me, I think that they forget that, I too, am native. These comments would silence my soul. It wasn't about the bingo.
What people don't know is that bingo is about community.
For Nuit Blanche, la Guilde hosted a community bingo night in the gallery. For one dollar, you could rent a bingo dabber and play. An energetic environment, music and Indigenous storyteller and artist Sylvain Rivard set the tone for the evening. Rivard was joined by three other artists (Huron-Wendat, Mohawk and Inuit) who called out the winning number in Indigenous languages from the Quebec area.
Bingo at la Guilde was a blast. We met strangers as we played bingo, laughing and chatting all the while seeing who could remember the numbers in the different languages. In the end, we contributed as collaborators to an art project. Our used bingo cards became materials that artists used to craft and sculpt different objects.
Bingo at la Guilde: a Manifesto
1. Be sure to make an offering to the bingo goddess, for your fate is in her hands.
2. Learn the languages as quickly as you can (this will help you win).
3. If you don't know the languages, collaborate with your friends to guess the numbers. 4 minds are better than one.
4. Be sure to engage with the bingo card art, including the g-string, flower pot, and bags.
5. Don't play against Ben, he will win.
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