While walking outside I saw a white-breasted nuthatch doing an interesting behavior I’d never seen before: it was perched on the palm tree in the photo, and was repeatedly spreading its wings wide and swaying from side to side, almost snakelike:

When I got home I checked a reference guide, which mentioned this is a behavior that white-breasted nuthatches will do to deter nest predators. I couldn’t figure out exactly why it was doing it when I was there in person, because I didn’t see any snakes or other birds. But I did see a clue in the OP photo, and my reference even specifically mentioned this animal as a nest predator of nuthatches.

So, did everyone else see it immediately and I’m just slow? 😁

This is stunning in person, and had an entire room devoted only to it. If it’s not obvious from the photo, this is suspended fairly high in the air, maybe 10-15 feet. The beading of the words “We Hold These Truths To Be Self Evident” continues around the entirety of the punching bag, but this was the only photo I got that I was satisfied with. This is the accompanying text:

WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT, 2024

Glass beads, plastic beads, nylon thread, acrylic felt, found punching bag

Gibson's series of beaded punching bags frequently contain texts that address structures of power. Drawing on Indigenous craft and clothing traditions, he transforms a symbol of physical aggression into a pathway to empowerment. Gibson adorns the bag here with beadwork and fringe evoking powwow regalia, especially in bead-and-jingle-adorned dresses worn by women. The beadwork features the first words of the US Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths to be self-evident." Unwritten but implied is the rest of the sentence: "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." The viewer is left to hold that statement with the often-conflicting actions of the nation in the two centuries since its writing, especially toward Indigenous people, people of color, and other marginalized groups.

If you happen to be in Los Angeles, he has a special exhibit going on at The Broad right now that’s fantastic! And it’s free on Thursdays if you can’t afford the ticket.

The Beachwood Police Department reported on May 2 the man checked out the hundred books from the Cuyahoga County Public Library Beachwood Branch, and posted a video of him burning the books on social media.

"In light of our church's steadfast commitment to racial justice and reconciliation and our historic ties with the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, we are not able to take this step," [bishop] Rowe wrote. "Accordingly, we have determined that, by the end of the federal fiscal year, we will conclude our refugee resettlement grant agreements with the U.S. federal government."

This guy makes terrariums for a living, so the artistry in all his videos is so interesting to me.

This is part of an exhibit on indigenous futurism at the Autry Museum of the American West, called Future Imaginaries. The pictures don’t do it justice, it’s very beautiful to see the stitches in person.

Here’s the information from the accompanying plaque:

Trek (Pleiades)

Marie Watt (Seneca Nation)

2014

Reclaimed wool blankets, satin binding, thread, and embroidery floss

The quilted pattern in Marie Watt's Trek (Pleiades) echoes the nine diamond-like formations found in some Native basketry designs. The number nine also corresponds to the nine brightest stars of the constellation Pleiades, which derives its name from the Seven Sisters of Greek mythology, who were transformed into stars by Zeus to avoid the hunter Orion's unwanted advances.

The Starship Enterprise, delicately embroidered over the diamond pattern, references both lengthy voyages found in Indigenous ancestral stories alongside modern space travel, each intersecting time and space, the historical and contemporary, the real and mythical.

Forgot to add: southern CA, California scrub jay.