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, 2007
Mud mixture (soil, sand, straw, and water), clay, stone, black locust wood, pigments
26/5840
Commissioned from the artist, 2007
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 changing over time. To the artist, these living art pieces represent growth, transformation, and Native peoples' relationships with the land: "Each sculpture speaks to the idea that a sense of self and of place are important."
Moon Woman (left) and Mountain Bird (right) are now elders. This intergenerational sculptural family speaks to stewardship and the passing of knowledge and traditions. According to the artist, "They represent a past from which we continue to learn. The question becomes, what do we do with this knowledge from the past, and how do we take care of what we have with conscious grace and purpose?"
[Spanish translation:]
Pueblo santa clara, n. 1953
Eterno devenir, 2007
Mezcla de barro (tierra, arena, paja y agua), arcilla, piedra, madera de de falsa acacia, pigmentos
26/5840
Comisionado del artista, 2007
Naranjo-Morse y su familia regresan todos los años a explorar cómo esta familia de esculturas contemporáneas de arcilla, construidas a mano in situ en el verano de 2007, va cambiando con el tiempo. Para la artista, estas obras de arte viviente representan el crecimiento, la transformación y las relaciones entre los pueblos indígenas y la tierra: "Cada escultura pone de manifiesto la idea de que es importante tener un sentido de la identidad y del lugar".
Mujer luna (izquierda) y Pájaro de montaña (derecha) son ahora ancianos. La familia escultórica intergeneracional representa el resguardo y la transmisión de conocimientos y tradiciones. Según la artista: "Representan un pasado del que seguimos aprendiendo. La cuestión es… ¿qué hacemos con este conocimiento del pasado y cómo cuidamos de lo que tenemos con una gracia y un propósito deliberados?".
Erected 2020
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Environment • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 2007.
Location. 38° 53.274′ N, 77° 0.998′ W. Marker is in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in The National Mall. It is at the intersection of Maryland Avenue Southwest and Independence Avenue Southwest, on the right when traveling west on Maryland Avenue Southwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 482 Independence Ave SW, Washington DC 20024, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Cardinal Direction Marker: South
Other markers no longer nearby. Nora Naranjo-Morse (has been replaced with this marker); Cardinal Direction Marker: South (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 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); a different marker also named Traditional Croplands (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Meadow (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Sunflower • Wádxaweew (wah-ha-way-oh) (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Wingapo (was within shouting distance of 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); Eastern Redcedar • Muráhk (mah-dok) (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Sassafras • Wináhk (Wee-nock) (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 330 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 3, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
