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,
this page online
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 by Smithsonian Institution. (Marker Number 26/5840.)
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′
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cardinal Direction Marker: South (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Nora Naranjo-Morse (a few steps from this marker); Traditional Croplands (a few steps from 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); National Native American Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away). 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 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 138 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 3, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
