Public Program
Curator Talk: Paul R. Davis on the Ditidaht Ceremonial Screen
Installation view. Attributed to Chalatas, Ditidaht peoples. Ceremonial Dance Curtain (thliitsapilthim), ca. 1880-18895. Nitinat Lake Area, British Columbia, Cananda. Textile and paint, 81 x 247 in. (205.7 x 627.4 cm). The Menil Collection, Houston. Photo: Paul Hester
Curator of Collections Paul R. Davis discusses the large painted cloth screen or thliitsapilthim on view in the Menil Collection’s foyer. Among the Nuu-chaa-nulth peoples, whose traditional lands are on the west coast of southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, a thliitsapilthim is the painted cloth screen used for potlatches, ceremonies, and feasts. Along with the dances, singing, and other objects, a thliitsapilthim creates the sacred space for events during which individuals, families, and communities assert their ancestral rights, celebrate important life events, and exchange cultural heritages.
Attending the program:
This program takes place in the main building, located at 1533 Sul Ross Street. Further information regarding accessibility and parking can be found here.
As always, Menil programs are free and open to all.
About the series:
Curator Talks take place on select Sundays at 3 p.m. Menil curators speak on a single work of art or small group of works currently on display in the museum. These informal, 30-minute-long discussions offer the opportunity to learn more about and engage with artworks in intimate gallery settings.