The National Mall in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Nora Naranjo-Morse
Santa Clara Pueblo, b. 1953
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 13, 2019
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."
Moon Woman, on the left, and Mountain Bird, on the 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?"
Erected by Smithsonian Institution.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Environment • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 2007.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 53.272′ N, 77° 1.002′ W. Marker was in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It was in The National Mall. Marker was on Maryland Avenue Southwest west of 3rd Street Southwest, on the right when traveling west. On the grounds of the National Museum of the American Indian. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 339 Maryland Avenue Southwest, Washington DC 20024, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Nora Naranjo-Morse (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Nora Naranjo-Morse (a few steps from this marker); Cardinal Direction Marker: South (within shouting distance of this marker); Traditional Croplands (within shouting distance of this marker); Eastern Meadow (within shouting distance of this marker); The Growth of Social Security (within shouting distance of this marker); Cardinal Direction Marker: West (within shouting distance of this marker); Cardinal Direction Marker: North (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southwest Washington.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 13, 2019
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 239 times since then and 10 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.