Heap of Birds

Summary

The artist Edgar Heap of Birds discusses his sculpture '12 Trees', which represents a calendar and medicine wheel, symbolizing support for Native American endeavors. He explores themes of history, culture, and identity through his art, using natural forms like trees and incorporating text as a design element. The piece aims to educate and provoke thought about Native American history and contemporary issues, encouraging community engagement.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The artist's proposal for the Denver Art Museum involves creating 10 tree sculptures to represent the months of the year, inspired by the medicine wheel.
• 🌲 The trees in the artwork symbolize the importance of nature and the artist's connection to the land, with juniper trees from Oklahoma being particularly significant.
• 🔄 The concept of the tree with a fork represents strength and support, which the artist sees as a metaphor for supporting the endeavors of Native people.
• 📜 The artwork incorporates extensive research and history, aiming to educate viewers about the history of Native Americans, especially in Colorado.
• 🏞️ The location of the artwork in Denver, at the foothills of the mountains, holds cultural significance for Native Americans.
• 👥 The sculpture is intended to be interactive and communal, providing a space for people to gather and reflect.
• 📝 The use of text in the artwork serves as a design element, with the physical shape, sound, and rhythm of words being as important as their meaning.
• 🖋️ The artist's process involves distilling complex emotions and ideas into simple, powerful language, often using three or four words.
• 🌐 The artwork addresses broader humanitarian issues and is not limited to one culture or place, reflecting the artist's international perspective.
• 🔁 The sculpture is designed to be open-ended, suggesting a continuity of history and culture, and a space for future interactions.

Q & A

What was the original proposal for the Denver Art Museum?

The original proposal was to have 12 trees standing up, representing a calendar form of a medicine wheel.

Why did the artist decide to change the number of trees from 12 to 10?

The artist decided to make the circle have only 10 trees to represent the months of the year, rather than 12, to create a modern sculpture that is not an actual religious icon.

What is the significance of the juniper trees and prairie in the artist's work?

The juniper trees and prairie of Oklahoma have been a part of the artist's life and have become an archetypal form in his paintings, symbolizing a connection to the land and his experiences.

How does the artist relate the sharpness of the stones to art as a weapon for Native American rights?

The artist was struck by how sharp the stones were even after being cut a thousand years ago, and he found that actual art would be the weapon to use today to fight for Native American rights.

What does the artist mean when he says the trees with fork poles will exist as a support for all the endeavors of Native people?

The artist sees the forked trees as a metaphor for strength and support, suggesting that the sculpture will stand as a symbol of support for the ongoing efforts and struggles of Native people.

How does the artist view the life cycle of trees and how does it relate to human life?

The artist sees the life cycle of trees, particularly the changes in fall, as a representation of the human life cycle, moving from one physical state to another and affecting the emotional and psychological state of individuals.

What materials and techniques were used to create the standing trees for the sculpture?

The trees are 12 feet tall, made of wood, covered with rag paper, and have diagramming on the outside. The artist worked on them over a period of two to three years.

What historical events and impacts are addressed in the artwork?

The artwork addresses the history of Native Americans in Colorado, including the Sand Creek and Ouachita massacres, the imprisonment of Cheyenne leaders, and the impact of these events on the artist's family.

How does the artist use language and text in his artwork?

The artist uses text as a design element, considering the physical shape, sound, and rhythm of words. He believes that text can be a structure in the mind, a memory, and an expression, similar to other artistic elements like color and shape.

What is the role of public art according to the artist?

The artist believes public art has a responsibility to address the public and be inclusive, engaging viewers and prompting them to reflect on the message and history presented.

How does the artist describe the experience of people interacting with the sculpture?

The artist describes the sculpture as creating a safe, healing space that cradles people, encouraging interaction and conversation, and providing a sense of affirmation.