CULTURAL FORTITUDE
The concept of "Cultural Fortitude"
came about after seeing the Washington Monument and then completing
a two week residency in Mesa Verde several years ago. (Mesa
Verde happens to be a World Heritage Cultural Site and contains
a wealth of knowledge about the Puebloan architectural style.)
I wanted to reinterpret the monument with reference to the fact
that this design had been common in the United States even before
the European invasion. The alcove ruins throughout the southwest
had buildings similar in shape, called tower houses.
What I did was replicate the obelisk feature, with two walls
creating a tower house. The front was designed to give the impression
of a cliff's edge. On the top of that, I made a round Kiva to
acknowledge its importance from the beginning. This was also
to serve as an acknowledgement of the development of the Puebloan
architectural style from pit houses to the Puebloan structures
that we are more familiar with in modern times.
The Kiva has played an important role throughout history. In
the beginning it was a gathering place where the children would
learn about the responsibilities of their culture and the making
of their crafts that served as utilitarian tools. These items
are now considered highly collectible, and are still being produced
by the Puebloan culture today. In modern times, as the ceremonies
became more elaborate, the children still learn about their
responsibilities within the confines of the kiva. As a result,
this particular structure has played a prominent role throughout
time as the place of learning and preservation of a belief system.
Therefore, it still remains the stronghold for teaching in a
traditional way.
On the front of the piece, I placed petroglyph symbols from
Mesa Verde. The ancient symbols are messages left to us by our
ancestors. I also inset modern cloud symbols into the piece
to recognize the past and the present in our art forms since
petroglyph symbols really are an art unto themselves. Together,
the petroglyph and clouds on this piece represent an answer
to our prayers as the clouds form to bring the rains for our
corn to grow tall and healthy. Finally, I placed the corn as
the central focal point on the piece to emphasize the importance
of its role in helping mankind survive for many centuries. The
cultivation of heirloom crops in a harsh desert region is an
annual ritual in Puebloan cultures. It symbolizes the struggles
and the ability of a people to believe and hold hope within
their hearts.
