VIDEO
HIGHLIGHT
Log InSign up
Why do I make art? To build time capsules for my heritage | Kayla Briët
SummaryTranscriptChat

Why do I make art? To build time capsules for my heritage | Kayla Briët

Cultural Connections Through Dance and Music

The Taos Pueblo Hoop Dance

  • The speaker reflects on learning the Taos Pueblo Hoop Dance at age four, emphasizing its historical significance and connection to nature.
  • The dance symbolizes the movement of the Sun and time, providing a magical glimpse into cultural heritage and ancestral perspectives.

Fascination with Time Capsules

  • Time capsules are described as fascinating portals to memories that preserve stories across generations.
  • As a filmmaker and composer, the speaker aims to reclaim their heritage through music and film, creating personal time capsules.

Multicultural Upbringing

  • Growing up in a multigenerational home in Southern California exposed the speaker to diverse cultures, including Dutch-Indonesian, Chinese, and Ojibwe traditions.
  • This multicultural environment led to feelings of inadequacy regarding identity; the speaker struggled to find their voice within these communities.

Discovering Voice Through Music

  • Music became a medium for self-expression, allowing the creation of expansive soundscapes that reflect personal memories and emotions.
  • The guzheng zither is highlighted as an influential instrument with over 2,000 years of history, connecting traditional folk music with contemporary styles.

Exploring Identity in Film

  • The desire to enhance emotional immersion led the speaker to learn film editing techniques and create films by layering visuals with music.
  • Their documentary "Smoke That Travels" addresses fears about losing Native heritage amidst cultural erasure due to historical assimilation practices.

Cultural Preservation Challenges

  • Many indigenous languages face extinction due to forced assimilation policies from the late 1800s through the early 1970s.
  • A quote from the speaker's father emphasizes that being Native transcends physical symbols like hair or beadwork; it’s about how one connects with humanity.

Global Indigenous Struggles

  • Traveling with their film revealed shared struggles among indigenous peoples worldwide in preserving language and culture.
Channel: TED
Video description

Kayla Briët creates art that explores identity and self-discovery -- and the fear that her culture may someday be forgotten. She shares how she found her creative voice and reclaimed the stories of her Dutch-Indonesian, Chinese and Native American heritage by infusing them into film and music time capsules. Check out more TED Talks: http://www.ted.com The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Follow TED on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TEDTalks Like TED on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TED Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/TED