1. Raven’s Matrix: The Simulation Unveiled
Introduction
This Longhouse mural is the first of six designs I did for the Seattle Waterfront Popups this summer. There are beautiful detailed prints available in the store, if you are interested.
The Longhouse holds a special place in Tlingit culture, serving as a communal space for living, gatherings, ceremonies, and storytelling. Growing up, my father, an artist himself, taught me the basics of formline design, which I have always found deeply inspiring. My connection to the Longhouse is both personal and cultural, and this mural is my way of honoring that heritage.
The Longhouse mural wrap in Seattle
The Story and Symbolism
At the heart of the mural stands an enigmatic bentwood box with its lid removed, emitting glowing binary code that emanate and flow like the rays of the sun once released by Raven. This represents the original story of daylight where Raven releases the sun, moon, and stars, but with a modern twist. My background in computer science and fascination with ’90s computer culture inspired this image, harking back to the idea of simulation theory—the concept that we live in a simulation. The binary code flowing from the box symbolizes the digital nature of our world and represents the source code of our reality, as the simulation was initiated by Raven. This idea is further emphasized by Raven holding the sun in its beak, reimagined as a blue pill, a reference to “The Matrix” movie, where the blue pill represents the choice to remain in the simulated reality. Traditionally the spherical object would have represented the sun that Raven stole from the clan chief.
Raven holding a blue pill in place of traditional sun
The bentwood box nestled between the Eagle and the Raven features an intriguing, ambiguous bird figure. Traditionally, bentwood boxes gifted during potlatches often showcased such ambiguous designs or even Gonakadeit (sea monster) figure. This allowed the receiving clan to interpret the figure in their own unique way
The Enigmatic and ambiguous bentwood box
For instance, if this box belonged to the Chookaneidi clan, which is part of the Eagle moiety, it could be seen as an Eagle chest. Conversely, if it were in the possession of the T’akdeintaan clan from the Raven moiety, it might be interpreted as a Raven’s chest. This flexibility in interpretation made these traditional boxes perfect for re-gifting during ceremonial potlatches, adding a layer of mystery and personal significance to each exchange. I incorporated this tradition into the artwork, along with spirit faces on the shoulders of the totemic figures to honor our ancestors. The secondary and tertiary colors used—cyan and magenta—differ from the traditional turquoise and red but still maintain the traditional black form lines. This was a choice for the entire series to again reference 80s and 90s tech culture that had such an immense impact on my upbringing.
Design and Process
The mural features traditional Tlingit motifs, such as the Raven and the Eagle, combined with urban graffiti elements like vibrant colors, bold lines and cartoon like figures. I started with sketches, drawing inspiration from my studies under Nathan Jackson, a renowned Tlingit master carver. Using cel-shading techniques, I added depth to the 2D elements, bringing the mural to life. The process was meticulous, involving layers of digital color and careful attention to detail. Working within the constraints of the mural wrap project for the popups at the Seattle waterfront, I needed to integrate the window frames and an electrical panel box that would house the solar panel components for these popups. This inspired me to depict a scene with a bentwood box as the central component. Above this box on the mural is a window, and I wanted figures that would fit along the side of this window, which is where the eagle and raven come into play.
Detail of Raven, showing the celshading technique up close
The inspiration for this mural comes from one of the original stories I first learned, accompanied by a song my dad and sisters performed in a drum group. The song, “Tsu Héidei Shugaxtutaan,” roughly translates to “opening this box of wisdom” This mural depicts the interior of a traditional Tlingit longhouse. Instead of the original vertical house posts though, I have brought them forward as the characters of an eagle and a raven, placing them in the foreground. These figures are not just decorative; they symbolize the two moieties of the Tlingit people, representing all Tlingit individuals.
Establishing perspective for the project and source of lighting for shading
One of the biggest challenges was ensuring the mural accurately represented Tlingit culture while incorporating modern elements. Dealing with a tight deadline and structural requirements that were still in flux made the process challenging, but overall rewarding. The mural has been warmly received by the local community. It has sparked conversations about Tlingit culture and the importance of preserving our heritage. I will be doing a Meet the Artist event in late August, reinforcing the murals as an educational tool that promotes cultural awareness.
Working with container constraints like windows and electrical boxes
The color palette of “Raven’s Matrix” draws heavily from the synthwave aesthetic, characterized by vibrant neon colors and a retro-futuristic vibe. This choice of colors not only adds visual energy to the mural but also bridges the gap between the ancient and the modern. The blues, pinks, and purples create a dynamic contrast against the traditional black form lines, symbolizing the fusion of past and future.
This mural series is more than just a piece of art; it’s a reflection of my journey as an artist and a Tlingit tribal member. It represents my commitment to preserving and sharing our culture through modern artistic expressions. “Raven’s Matrix: The Simulation Unveiled” is a philosophical exploration of reality, uniting all Tlingit people in the shared understanding of their origins. The synthwave-inspired palette pulsates with the energy of an ’80s vision of the future, inviting observers to question the nature of existence itself. By integrating traditional elements with modern infrastructure, this mural stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of Tlingit culture in the digital age.
A Framed print of the Longhouse Design
Looking ahead, I plan to explore more themes related to indigenous cultures and urban art. My next project in Seattle will be a Neon Series where I will double down on the synthwave 80s hacker influence so stay tuned.
I invite you to visit the mural, follow my work on social media, and support my future projects. Together, we can continue to celebrate and preserve the rich heritage of indigenous cultures through art.
Links
Next Mural Description: 2. Daring Dragonflies: A Frog’s Playful Pause
Head back to the Seattle Waterfront Popups blog
Check out the awesome prints available in the store