Discover the Resplendent World of ‘Woshaa’axre Yaang’aro’
By Dolores Quintana
Nestled inconspicuously amidst the industrial landscape of Commerce lies an unexpected gem – artist Mercedes Dorame’s studio, a haven filled with art supplies and personal mementos. In a surprising juxtaposition, the space recently hosted an enchanting display of sea life, featuring a six-foot-tall interpretation of an abalone shell suspended from the ceiling.
For Dorame, a proud member of the Gabrielino-Tongva tribe with deep roots in the Los Angeles Basin and the Southern Channel Islands, abalones hold immense cultural significance. Historically, these precious marine mollusks served as sources of sustenance, fishhooks, and ceremonial regalia. Inspired by witnessing live abalones in their natural habitat off Catalina Island, Dorame meticulously crafted an awe-inspiring installation titled “Woshaa’axre Yaang’aro” (Tongva for “looking back”).
Now on display in the Getty Museum Entrance Hall until July 28, 2024, “Woshaa’axre Yaang’aro” features five majestic shells ranging from 4 to 12 feet tall, gracefully hanging from the ceiling, as reported by Getty.edu. The surrounding walls are adorned with murals that artistically portray the scenic Southern California coastline as viewed from Catalina. Part of the exhibit is an iridescent film hung over the windows, giving the gentle feeling of being underwater as the shells’ colors change like those of abalone. You can find more information about seeing the exhibit here.
Dorame’s captivating piece serves as the inaugural installation of the Getty’s esteemed Rotunda Commission series, spotlighting new works by contemporary artists. With this artwork, Dorame aspires to foster a deeper appreciation for Southern California’s ecology and encourages visitors to contemplate the Tongva people’s perspective and profound connection to the land.
“The title of the installation – ‘Woshaa’axre Yaang’aro’ – conveys the essence of a return gaze. It prompts us to step outside ourselves and perceive from a different vantage point,” shares Dorame. Her profound journey in understanding her heritage began as a student at UCLA, where she served as a cultural resource monitor. This experience involved observing the excavation of human remains and ancestral belongings, often to accommodate development projects, while advocating for cultural sensitivity and respect.
Dorame’s photographic explorations of her Tongva heritage began with a medium-format, twin-lens Rolleiflex film camera gifted to her by her great-uncle. She felt a profound connection to the land, capturing images that showcased signs of Tongva visibility, such as a boulder with a bowl ground out of it or freshwater springs tended by her ancestors.
The realization of “Woshaa’axre Yaang’aro” required Dorame to enlist the assistance of two talented individuals, Anais Franco and Nick Lee, and the design studio Machine Histories. Utilizing 3D-scanned abalone shells, the team meticulously crafted large-scale replicas from high-density foam, capturing the essence of these “important little beings” in stunning detail. Mercedes Dorame eloquently invites viewers to embark on a profound cultural discovery and introspection journey through her visionary artwork. Her installation leaves an indelible imprint, honoring the heritage of the Tongva people and offering an enchanting window into their world of reverence for nature and ancestral connections.
Dorame said, “That’s what inspired the title—this return gaze. How do we get outside of ourselves and see from a different perspective?”
