Totem Talk (1997) (22:00) (Vancouver)
In Distribution
by Annie Frazier Henry
Synopsis:
Using computer animation, Frazier Henry translates traditions of Northwest Coast Native art, using live action, natural landscape, archive and animal animations, Totem Talk assembles a world of surrealistic beauty and splendor and teaches us the powerful meaning and symbology of the totem.
*Digitized from UMATIC
VIVO is located in the homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples in a warehouse space at 2625 Kaslo Street south of East Broadway at the end of E 10th. Transit line 9 stops at Kaslo Street on Broadway. From the bus stop, the path is paved, curbless, and on a slight decline. The closest skytrain station is Renfrew Station, which is three blocks south-east of VIVO and has an elevator. From there, the path is paved, curbless, and on a slight incline. There is parking available at VIVO, including wheelchair access parking. There is a bike rack at the entrance. The front entrance leads indoors to a set of 7 stairs to the lobby.
A wheelchair ramp is located at the west side of the main entrance. The ramp has two runs: the first run is 20 feet long, and the second run is 26 feet. The ramp is 60 inches wide. The slope is 1:12. The ramp itself is concrete and has handrails on both sides. There is an outward swinging door (34 inch width) at the top of the ramp leading to a vestibule. A second outward swinging door (33 inch width) opens into the exhibition space. Buzzers and intercoms are located at both doors to notify staff during regular office hours or events to unlock the doors. Once unlocked, visitors can use automatic operators to open the doors.
There are two all-gender washrooms. One has a stall and is not wheelchair accessible. The other is a single room with a urinal and is wheelchair accessible: the door is 33 inches wide and inward swinging, without automation. The toilet has 11 inch clearance on the left side and a handrail.
To reach the bathrooms from the studio, exit through the double doors and proceed straight through the lobby and down the hall . Turn left, and the two bathrooms will be on your right side. The closest one has a stall and is not wheelchair accessible. The far bathroom is accessible.
Annie Frazier Henry (Blackfoot/Sioux/French) works as a filmmaker, musician and writer in Gibsons, British Columbia. Many of her films reflect her life-long advocacy for Native youth. In 2003 her documentary The Spirit of the Game won the Milagro Award for Best Indigenous Film at the Santa Fe Film Festival. She also helped Native teens produce It’s Up to Us, named Best Student Film at the 1996 Dreamspeakers Aboriginal Film Festival. In 1999 Frazier Henry served as a juror at the Sundance Film Festival. She has composed musical scores for films, including Loretta Todd’s The Learning Path. She received the honour of Aboriginal Producer, Writer and Director of the 21st Century – presented at the Aboriginal Visions & Voices Symposium. The award was sponsored by British Columbia Film and Heritage Canada. Annie’s films try to reflect the importance of tradition within today’s way of life. Her company, Full Regalia Productions, has produced both dramatic and documentary programs. Full Regalia’s production’s are broadcast nationally and have screened at numerous International Film Festivals.