Ancestral Pillars & Storylines
Ancestral Pillars & Storylines
- Creator: Huameng Yu, Louis Chinn
- Location: Kaixo Corner
- Types: installations (visual works), sculpture (visual work)
- Materials: sandstone, brass (alloy), concrete
- Collection: Site-Based Works
"Ancestral Pillars" honors the cultural groups that shaped the early history of this neighborhood recognizing the legacy they left behind and the traditions they carry forward. Together, these etched pillars represent the Basque, German, Greek, Irish, Japanese, Scandinavian, and the Shoshone-Bannock People who are indigenous to this land. One pillar represents the sheer multitude of communities who contributed to the rich tapestry of this region, too numerous to be individually represented. Storylines emerges from the foot of the pillars, forming a path where cultural motifs weave together showcasing how the past is embedded into the memory of the land. Artists Louis Chinn and Huameng Yu, are inspired by the rich and storied history of Boise. The multitude of hands and cultures that have built and shaped this place over many eras has led to a layered tapestry of voices that are both visible and hidden from modern memory. It is a place defined by a spirit of independence, resilience, and legacies of forging unlikely paths forward. The artworks at Kaixo Corner create a map of migration, culture, and ecology, inviting visitors to journey through both space and time, across stories, memories, and dreams. This artwork honors the people who shaped this neighborhood and embedded their presence into the culture and the land.
