Ish Meets a Mermaid is a short film based on a reimagined Ojibwe story, directed by Jonathan Thunder, produced by Vera Bianchini, co-written by Tashia Hart, with cinematography by Jeff Saunders. This exhibition reveals the artistry of the cast and crew who brought Ish Meets a Mermaid to life.
As viewers enter the exhibition, they are guided through the journey of the film’s creation with behind-the-scenes moments from production, original props, storyboards, costumes, and stories shared by the cast and crew, finishing with an in-gallery viewing of the film itself. By expanding our view outward from the finished product, the exhibition reveals the many layers of artistry, collaboration, vision, and labor required to produce a project like Ish Meets a Mermaid. This exhibition encourages the viewer to follow their curiosity about the process of filmmaking, and recognize the invisible creative work that goes into an art form as accessible as film.
Artists
Jonathan Thunder director, co-writer, and co-star
Vera Bianchini producer
Tashia Hart co-writer
Read more about the artists in the sidebar
Explore the audio tour, extended content, and ongoing virtual exhibition on Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app.
Part of our 2026 “We Hold These Truths” programming.
Funding for this program provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.
