Restoring Reciprocity by Kort Maeda

Restoring Reciprocity by Kort Maeda (Fig 7) is a series of collages depicting one’s conflict with ownership of land and self-connection to it. Four collages are hung on tree branches with an LED strip guiding their order. Each black and white collage includes pieces of the built environment, and the subtle hint of green in the background brings out an element of Hawaiian leaves representing her cultural heritage. Maeda connects all the elements artistically to narrate a story of destruction and projects a future of reclamation and cohabitation.

Fig 7. Kort Maeda, Restoring Reciprocity, 2023. Mixed media and gelatin silver prints. Art Building Courtyard, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Rosaline Dou.