Convergence
recycled sucker rod, Corten, basalt, granite, earth- 10.5 x 35 x 18 feet
People's Park, Spokane, WA
Installed November, 2020 |
Slideshow photographs 1-3 by Joel Riner
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Located on the ancestral fishing grounds of the Spokane Tribe, Convergence celebrates fishing technologies utilized for over 8,000 years. This installation, opening up to the powerful river, involved collaboration with Spokane tribal councilmembers and elders as well as tribal youth, with the goal of connecting path-goers to the past, present and future of human connection to the Spokane River. Constructed almost entirely from natural and recycled materials, this stylized fishing weir was designed to be installed with minimal disruption to existing soils. A closer look at the surrounding boulders will reveal pictographs drawn by tribal youth and corresponding Salish language engraved within.
Convergence was commissioned by Spokane Arts and the Spokane Park Board- City of Spokane, Washington. Special thank you to the Spokane Tribe, Wellpinit School District, and the community of Peaceful Valley.
Youth Pictographs
Students of all ages from Wellpinit School District contributed drawings representing their culture, families and interests. The 16 images that can be found surrounding this sculpture are a selection of their efforts. Collectively, they share the cultural past, present and future of this land through the lens of today’s Spokane tribal youth.
Traditionally, pictographs were created from pulverized soft red Ochre rocks mixed with fish or animal oil and painted onto stones. The Spokane Tribe used these images to communicate important information about a particular area or landmark, such as directions, resources, names, historical records and more. The pictographs were usually seen along well-used trails. For more information about each design and the artists who created them, download the pdf below:
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