Without the American Indians, there would be no America as we know it today. Yet our connection to our country’s indigenous people is oddly forgotten, celebrated, stitched and frayed all at once.

The new exhibition, Americans, at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in Washington, D.C. explores the history, culture and significance of American Indian influence through hundreds of artifacts – ranging from sports and entertainment memorabilia to currency, consumer products and packaging –arranged in an illuminated, collage-like grid. With such a visible and lasting impact in our culture today, the show begs the question of how we manage to neglect – and, at times, disrespect – the people who defined our nation’s identity.

 

Duggal is honored to have contributed to the creation of the central gallery in Americans, composed of nearly 200 custom-built, ultra-thin lightboxes in varying dimensions. Agata Renault consulted with NMAI’s exhibition department and Capitol Museum Services while working alongside Studio Joseph, Duggal’s Sugriv Grover and our fabrication team to develop a solution that was equal parts sleek, sturdy, versatile and uniform for the exhibition running through 2022. Duggal also produced a curved, sequentially backlit piece depicting the story of Pocahontas as visitors enter a purposefully dark and intimate space.

 

Stay tuned to Duggal Connect for more on this proud collaboration. In the meantime, see photos below, and visit the Americans exhibition website.