| Aboriginal Architecture, Living Architecture is a feature-length documentary directed by Cree filmmaker Paul Rickard. The DVD is a continent-wide exploration of the traditional and contemporary forms of architecture from seven distinct Aboriginal cultural traditions. The film begins at Acoma Pueblo and explores the 250 terraced dwellings of the oldest continually-occupied city in North America. A local architect, Brian Vallo, takes the viewer on a tour of ancient ruins of his ancestors located in Chaco Canyon. He explains the traditional building methods and designs and how the best of Pueblo architecture is translated into a modern Pueblo cultural center. Taking the advice of community Elders, the building will serve the community and the tourist trade equally. The next community is the Mohawks of the Grand River, Six Nations. Local architect Brian Porter introduces viewers to his company, Two Row Architects, and some of the company's structures. These include schools and an employment centre. He discusses traditional longhouse buildings and their appropriateness for the Woodland environment. The next community is the Far North of the Inuit of Nunavut. Here viewers are shown the methods of creating a snow house commonly known as the igloo. Adapting southern architectural design to the environment is a challenge. Builders in the Arctic are finding ways to combine ancient methods and design to modern needs in the structure of their legislative building. The next cultural area is the Plains and featured here is the classic design of the Crow Nation and the teepee. Local architect Daniel Glenn explains the methods he uses to combine traditional Crow cultural values into modern community buildings. The importance of the circle is paramount and this is reflected within the community college building. The hogan of the Navajo is the next building examined. Again a local architect and a designer, Harrison Martin and Richard Begay, take viewers on an exploration of the design and function of these traditional Navajo structures and how these inspire modern community buildings. The final two communities are the Coast Salish and the Haida. In this part of North America, pit houses and cedar big houses were the classic architectural features. Contemporary artists and designers take the form and function of ancestral buildings and adapt these to community requirements. Throughout the film, each architect and spokesman stress the role of community decision-making in how their community buildings reflect the modern economic and social needs of their Nation. Each community finds a means to make the scare resources work to create efficient and culturally-sensitive buildings. This slow-moving film provides unique insight into the renaissance of Aboriginal design and its enduring integrity in the contemporary world. A major contribution to understanding the Aboriginal designs and structures. A VHS version is also available. |
