“An Acoma Legend”
This napkin holder will be permanently displayed at Cubby’s in the Old Market at 601 South 13th Street, Omaha, NE 68102, as of September 28th, 2009.
To view the process it took to create this napkin holder, click here!
The following are some pictures from the artist reception on 09/28/09 at Cubby’s. Unfortunately, I was only able to stay for a few minutes, but it was great to see everyone again.
I’d like to thank Diane Mattern and Angel Murtaugh for introducing me to concrete.
This napkin holder is covered with a concrete sculpture stained with metal surfacers and patinas.
I used brass and bronze, with a tiffany (acid based) patina plus some dye oxides (similar to water colors).
The sculpture was later sealed with a water-based finish to protected the material, and make it water proof.
The Concept: An Acoma Legend
Theme: Native American Legend of the creation of Summer and Winter
To view pictures of the evolution of each section of the napkin holder, CLICK HERE.
Here is a portion of “An Acoma Legend”
“In the evening, as was his custom, Shakok, the Sprit of Winter, and husband of Co-chin-ne-na-ko, returned from the north where he spent the days playing with the north wind, and with the snow and sleet and hail. He came in a blinding storm of snow, sleet and hail. On reaching the town he knew that Miochin was there, and called out to him, “Ha, Miochin, are you here?”
Miochin advanced to meet him. “Ha, Miochin, now I will destroy you.”
“Ha, Shakok, I will destroy you,” answered Miochin.
Shakok stopped, and as Miochin advanced towards him the snow and hail melted and the fierce wind turned into a summer breeze. Shakok was covered with frost, icicles hung all about him, but as Miochin advanced towards him the frost melted, the icicles dropped off, and his clothing was revealed. It was made of dry bleached rushes (Ska-ra-ska-ru-ka).
Shakok said, “I will not fight you now, but will meet you here four days from now and fight you till one or the other is beaten. The winner shall have Co-chin-ne-na-ko.” With that Shakok left in a rage. The wind again roared and shook the very walls, but the people were warm in their houses. Miochin was there.
Next day he left for his home in the south. Arriving there he made preparations for the meeting with Shakok. He first sent an eagle to his friend Yat-chum-me Moot, who lived in the west, asking him to help him in his fight with Shakok. Then he called all the birds, insects, and four-legged animals that live in summer lands. All these he called to help him.”
To read the “An Acoma Legend” as told by First People, visit their site CLICK HERE.
