Augmented Reality Exhibit to revisit 1923 incarceration
Through the Silence: A pop-up augmented reality experience exploring the Aniknuche Incarceration of 1923 will bring local history and art to life in Blanding over Labor Day weekend, commemorating the Aniknuche Incarceration of 1923.
The exhibit will explore hidden layers of Ute (Nuuchu) local history and public art and will be a unique experience timed with the White Mesa A’nuche Bear Dance
The project commemorates what’s sometimes referred to as the “Posey War,” which began on March 19, 1923, and led to the weeks-long, forcible internment of around 80 Ute women, children, and men in a barbed-wire cage in the streets of Blanding.
It also involved the murder of two Ute men, the loss of access to traditional Ute land in the Bears Ears area, and the coerced enrollment of Ute children in boarding schools.
The digital exhibit tells the story on-location where these historic events took place.
1923. The 100 Years of Silence project, which sponsored the Through the Silence exhibit, seeks to promote healing by sharing the Ute perspective on the incident, and to showcase their legacy of endurance.
Organizers say that never before has the White Mesa Ute community come together this way— through history, art, and storytelling — to tell their version of the tragic events that unfolded in March and April of 1923.
Whether you’re a history buff, art lover, or simply curious about what augmented reality can do, Through the Silence offers the public a chance to better understand the history of the White Mesa Ute community and of San Juan County.
The exhibit will be open on August 29, 30, and 31 at 30 West 100 South in Blanding, where the stockade was constructed.
The exhibit is open noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday, and 9 am to noon on Sunday.
Admission is free but reservations are required, with slots every 15 minutes and two users per slot.
The exhibit is recommended for ages 13 and older. Organizers say this family-friendly experience is perfect for locals, visitors, and curious minds looking for something new
Reserve your spot in advance or walk-in —just make sure to grab a time slot to avoid wait times! Reserve online at https://www.eventbookings.com/b/event/through-the-silence-augmented-real...