Jeffrey Gibson‘s immersive installation POWER FULL BECAUSE WE’RE DIFFERENT is now on view at MASS MoCA in Massachusetts, running from November 3rd, 2024, to May 4th, 2025. This newly commissioned exhibition, filling the iconic Building 5 gallery, celebrates identity, community, and resilience through a vibrant exploration of the concept of “two-spirit.” The term, embraced by many Indigenous communities, represents a gender and spiritual identity that transcends the binary of male and female.
Gibson’s installation, following his acclaimed representation at the 60th Venice Biennale, features seven oversized garments adorned with beads and found materials. These garments are suspended on tipi poles or worn during performances, creating a kaleidoscopic experience of color and pattern. Drawing from both Indigenous regalia and club culture, the garments pay tribute to the past while embodying hope for the future.
A central theme of the exhibition is the exploration of two-spirit identities, with a documentary and new video installation that blends contemporary drag culture with traditional narratives. The space is further enhanced by mirrored walls and vibrant, geometric glass performance stages, creating an immersive, club-like atmosphere. Throughout the exhibition’s 18-month run, a series of performances by Indigenous creatives from North America will unfold, celebrating the diversity and strength of Indigenous and queer communities.
Collaborators for the project include musicians, performers, and activists, alongside video contributors who have worked closely with Gibson to craft this powerful, inclusive space.
Read our interview with Jeffrey Gibson as he explores the intersection of Indigenous traditions and contemporary art, the shifting role of history in his practice, and his thoughts on how institutions can better represent Indigenous diversity.
Courtesy of MASS MOCA
