I ‘Crown Land’ Kēia no Kāua

(This Crown Land was Made for You and Me)
Framed digital print (derived from a vintage photograph of Queen Liliuokalani) on archival sugarcane paper, vinyl cut, QR codes, and Hawaiian red earth.

Aloha ‘Oe – “The quintessential marketing song, attracting tourists to Hawaii from around the world. Fueling a tourist industry that marketed Hawaii in such a way that began to eclipse the true Hawaiian culture. At its origin, it’s a Queen’s farewell to a lover. But for me, it could also be seen as a requiem for her people, her land, and her culture.”

Aloha `oe, aloha `oe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace,
A ho `i a e`au
Until we meet again

Queen Liluoukalani

This Land is Your Land – “I remember hearing this song a million times growing up in Virginia. While I doubt the song is as widely known today… in my youth, it was an anthem that symbolized the pride of a nation. For me, it was an anthem that made a failed promise of equality for all. An anthem that could also be seen as a celebration of the successful colonization of the Americas.”