Illuminate The Lock: Madweyaashkaa: Waves Can Be Heard by Moira Villiard is a very large screen animation projected onto the 400 x 50 foot wall of the Upper St. Anthony Falls lock wall is synced with a soundscape of music composed by Lyz Jaakola (Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe) and a recorded narrative by Dakota/Ojibway First Nation elder Millie Richard.
Just as the Twin Cities came out of a deep freeze the show opened. It was 12 degrees (3 degrees windshield) when we went but it’s funny how that can feel warm. For about 30 minutes. It is open February 19 and 20 too. It’s free. It wasn’t a hassle at all; parking was easy and close. People are masked and with all of the layers of 
winter clothes, we’re distanced. You do need tickets.
It’s the story of a native woman in the city during a pandemic – told from an Anishinaabe perspective. Grandmother moon (Nokomis) features highly with a call to respect the moon that rises every 30 days. To respect the waters. To respect the nature that is bigger than us and yet part of us.
The voice is soothing. The message is grounding and the images are spectacular.
Mostly Minnesota 