The National Mall in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Nora Naranjo-Morse
Santa Clara Pueblo, b. 1953
Always Becoming
Mud mixture (soil, sand, straw, and water), clay, stone, black locust wood, bamboo, yam vines, and pigment
26/5840
Naranjo-Morse and her family return annually to explore how this family of contemporary clay sculptures, hand-built on site in the summer of 2007, is morphing over time. To the artist, these living art pieces together represent growth, transformation, and Native people's relationships with the land: "Each sculpture speaks to the idea that a sense of self and of place are important."
Now in phase II, the sculptures—Little One, to the right, Father in the center, and Mother, on the left—have been reshaped and repurposed by the weather over several seasons. Insects, birds, and small animals find shelter in the sculptures, demonstrating that even on busy Washington, D.C. streets, nature thrives.
Erected by Smithsonian Institution.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Environment • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 2007.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It was also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named Nora Naranjo-Morse (here, next to this marker); Eastern Meadow (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Nora Naranjo-Morse (a few steps from this marker); a different marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Lunar Calendars (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Nora Naranjo-Morse (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Meadow (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Wingapo (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Broomsedge (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Cardinal Direction Marker: South (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Traditional Croplands (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Eastern Redcedar Murαhk (mah-dok) (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Sunflower Wαdxaweew (wah-ha-way-oh) (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Cardinal Direction Marker: West (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 265 times since then and 8 times this year. Last updated on February 10, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 13, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
