Discovering Carl Beam Political Messages in The Columbus Project
Nadia De Beijer S4836723 Bachelor’s Thesis American Studies Academic year 2016/2017 Radboud University Nijmegen 14 June 2017 Discovering Carl Beam Political Messages in The Columbus Project
Abstract The Columbus Project by Carl Beam consists of twelve collage paintings and two sculptures. He made this in observance of the quincentenary celebrations surrounding the discovery of the American continent by Christopher Columbus. The individual art pieces in this project contribute to the collective memory of this event. It is important to know more about who Carl Beam was and why he constructed art like this. After that the messages that can be discovered throughout the art will make more sense. As a Canadian First Nation, his messages allow for a different voice in the remembered history of the American continent. The works are a combination of postmodernism, First Nation history and culture juxtaposed to that of Westerners. In addition to that the works are infused with political messages due to the imagery that is used. The work was received well by the art world in Canada and can still be viewed in many Canadian museums and art galleries today.
Acknowledgement
I would like to thank a few people for their help during the writing of my thesis. First of all my supervisor Mrs. Dr. Mathilde Roza for acquainting me with Carl Beam and being there to offer advice. Secondly, Stefan van den Berg to help me edit and organize the information clearly.
Key words
Art, Aboriginal, postmodernism, collective memory, identity, history, Native American and First Nation culture, Carl Beam, Canada, art galleries, politics, imagery, Western culture.