Collaboration: Jenny Fraser and James Luna: TANDANYA
Documentary directed by Michelle Blakeney
PERFORMANCE BY JAMES LUNA: KNOW YOUR POINTS
WRITING BY James Luna
“TAP IT DOWN”
(“PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY”)
"I truly believe that it is a gift to be an artist - an artist, a dancer, an actor, a writer. And there's something else I want to share with you as an artist. That “art has saved my life, if not certainly extended it.” In this thing that we call art, I have been able to quell the anxiety and anger inside me, because I have been able to express it. I have explained to myself that no one else could explain to me, about bringing in the good to replace the bad at times when I needed to, and it has allowed me to heal.
When the Villains first played this song for me 'Pacific Coast Highway”, I was totally blown away because I had these wonderful visually and moments about my association with PCH. I was fortunate to grow up near the beach and it was a big part of my life, and where I lived, to get to the beach you crossed PCH. In California, that road follows you from the South to the North and she was always on the left hand side, like a friend. I spent many days of my youth under the sun and in the water, with friends, and by myself. I have many memories that are both good and bad about the great Pacific Ocean.
I thought about how many of us Indians on the coast believe when you pass on, you pass through the western gate, to that other life. I thought about Wilbert Joseph Nelson, Willy, my best friend, who recently passed through that gate. The song took on another significance for me. I don't know how to explain a friendship about brother hood, about being from the tribe, about men. Let the healing begin, let the healing begin."
James Luna
transcribed from 'Three Stories' CD
(“PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY”)
"I truly believe that it is a gift to be an artist - an artist, a dancer, an actor, a writer. And there's something else I want to share with you as an artist. That “art has saved my life, if not certainly extended it.” In this thing that we call art, I have been able to quell the anxiety and anger inside me, because I have been able to express it. I have explained to myself that no one else could explain to me, about bringing in the good to replace the bad at times when I needed to, and it has allowed me to heal.
When the Villains first played this song for me 'Pacific Coast Highway”, I was totally blown away because I had these wonderful visually and moments about my association with PCH. I was fortunate to grow up near the beach and it was a big part of my life, and where I lived, to get to the beach you crossed PCH. In California, that road follows you from the South to the North and she was always on the left hand side, like a friend. I spent many days of my youth under the sun and in the water, with friends, and by myself. I have many memories that are both good and bad about the great Pacific Ocean.
I thought about how many of us Indians on the coast believe when you pass on, you pass through the western gate, to that other life. I thought about Wilbert Joseph Nelson, Willy, my best friend, who recently passed through that gate. The song took on another significance for me. I don't know how to explain a friendship about brother hood, about being from the tribe, about men. Let the healing begin, let the healing begin."
James Luna
transcribed from 'Three Stories' CD
INSTALLATION BY JENNY FRASER AND JAMES LUNA
left: midden book. centre: name that beach movie video and print series I by Jenny Fraser. right wall: James Luna campfire video.
