To the Heavens

Posted by Disoriented (Grinnell, IA, United States) on 25 March 2008 in Abstract & Conceptual and Portfolio.

Taken at the National Museum of the American Indian. One of the more beautifully designed museums featuring smooth surfaces, curved arches, and a ceiling of concentric circles. I took this shot of a sculpture that was kneeling pointing a bow and arrow upwards. So I positioned myself to try to capture it and the ceiling as well.

12/24/08: Grading is done. I'm packed and ready to go. I'll be off for vacation in San Francisco for a few days with family and friends. Happy holidays everyone!

KINDA' SORTA' FAMOUS?: I am happy to inform you that my shot of the glass canopy of Kogod Courtyard was featured as a banner for the blog of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery called Face to Face.

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Comments (10)

massimo from Rome, Italy

Excellent shot and original point of view
I invite u to take part of a new web project: the weekly photos project
the theme of the week is "unusual perspective" and this shot is perfect
massi

25 Mar 2008 8:09am

@massimo: Thanks for the invitation Massimo. I'll check it out for sure. =D

niña kristine from New York, United States

fantastic! that is one great bullseye shot! great perspective you got there.

25 Mar 2008 4:27pm

@niña kristine: "Bullseye!" That was the word I was looking for to describe the picture. Thanks!

Garibaldi from Sala al Barro, Italy

Nice!

25 Mar 2008 5:09pm

@Garibaldi: Thanks Garibaldi!

danthro from Suburbia, United States

great composition and perspective.

25 Mar 2008 8:25pm

@danthro: Thanks Danthro!

Jarrard from Athens, GA, United States

That's a bullseye if I've ever seen one.

26 Mar 2008 5:40pm

Ronnie 2¢ from London, United Kingdom

Nicely controlled pic of what looks to be an ace sculpture there. I guess the idea is for him to be aiming for the sky . . must be a very moving place to visit.

27 Mar 2008 8:54am

@Ronnie 2¢: Thanks again Jarrard and Ronnie 2¢! I really ought to use my camera's "other" features such as voice memo recording so that I can take the artist's name and title of the piece.

But you're right on target about the tone of the museum. It is an amazing cultural, social, and political institution. There's a celebration of heritage, culture, and history, but on the other hand, it's a history of mourning, loss, and unspeakable violence. One of the more somber moments is a projection on a huge black wall of the names of various Native American nations that are now extinct. You do get a very deep sense of the magnitude in which various native peoples are erased from history only to be remembered in words, memories, and, quite literally, as a projection on a screen. It's quite a visceral contradiction.