The Vārchive Revolution: The Imperative for Indigenous Truth-Telling and Redefining Heritage Preservation

• Published in: Lagoonscapes
• Main Authors: Sentance, Nathan Mudyi, Poll, Madeline, Gissell, Tammi
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Fondazione Università Ca' Foscari 2023
• Subjects: Archives. Climate Change. Climate action. Decolonisation. Faʻafafine. First Nations. Gender Studies. Indigenous. Museums. Paul Gaugin. Samoa; Environmental sciences; GE1-350; Anthropology; GN1-890; Arts in general; NX1-820; First Nations
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.30687/LGSP/2785-2709/2023/02/005; https://doaj.org/article/f2e56414adbb45c89f7d2bcf51924001

The following article discusses Paradise Camp by Samoan-Japanese artist Yuki Kihara, curated by Professor Natalie King which is on exhibition at The Powerhouse, Sydney, Australia throughout 2023. Authors delve into the significance of Paradise Camp as a vital and timely act of truth-telling. They highlight Kihara’s concept and realisation of what she has coined the Vārchive as a means to approaching First Nations archival materials. They explore the Vārchive as both artwork and archival practice which could catalyse a transformative shift within the heritage sector highlighting the imperative for Indigenous interventions within colonial collections. Reflecting on the Vārchive emphasises the need to redefine heritage, to encompass and consider Indigenous communities and landscapes as animate archives and memory holders which are increasingly threatened by climate change.