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Mudhead Kachina


Mudhead Kachina
Información de la foto
Copyright: David Sidwell (dsidwell) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2629 W: 188 N: 1983] (9727)
Género: Gente
Medio: Blanco y negro
Tomada el: 2005-05-02
Categorías: Arte
Cámara: Sony DSC-f828, UV
Details: Tripod: Yes
Versión de la foto: Versión original
Fecha enviada: 2005-05-13 15:15
Vista: 5391
Puntos: 18
[Normas para las notas] Notas del fotógrafo
Long ago, when the Hopi people ("Indians" from Northern Arizona) were in the midst of terrible drought, they heard the mountains shake and suddenly, masked dancers came into the village. They called themselves the Kachinas. They danced and the rains came. From this time on, the Hopi have dressed like these kachina to honor them. Kachina are not seen as gods, but as powerful super-beings from a different tribe. As long as the Hopi dance the dances taught them by the kachinas, rain will come, and it usually does in August and September.

To help their children learn of the Kachinas: their names and functions, the Hopi make these dolls. They are not toys, nor are they used as such. Now they are works of art that tourists can purchase!

This kachina doll comes from the museum at Utah State University. Oddly, USU, though quite far from the Hopi lands, has one of the largest collections of Hopi artifacts to be found in the U.S.

This is a mudhead kachina. He is usually funny and acts like a clown during the dances, but not always. Between dances, the mudhead kachina plays with children or adults, and can be obscene, too.

My grandfather was adopted in the Hopi tribe years ago, and so my family has many ties to the people and the area.

If you ever go to the area, or have the chance to purchase a Hopi kachina doll like this one (this is over 100 years old), keep in mind that the neighboring Navajo indians make these now, too. Though the Navajo make wonderful things, it is best to purchase kachina dolls directly from the Hopi--or at least make sure you get a Hopi doll and not a Navajo doll. The Hopi usually dye the wood (cottonwood root) instead of paint it. Their dolls are also more accurate and have more details. Many people think the Navajo dolls are a bit garish.

Keeping the scavenger hunt in mind, I thought this would make a good handicrafts entry!
Homerhomer, davido, robiuk, richtersl, singuanti, avigur_11, pamastro ha puntuado esta nota como útil.
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • robiuk Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2082 W: 184 N: 2427] (10380)
  • [2005-05-13 17:25]

You made it look alive, David!
Perfectly composed with that wonderful sidelight and shadow play in the BG.
I appreciate your going with b/w here,
Robi

Hi David. Indeed this is a great find for the scavenger hunt. You have some truly impressive framing and light here. The b/w does its thing and allows us to see the textures on the doll. Also a very good note as I learned all kinds of things! Excellent shot David!!

Hello David,

Great Great picture, the moos is so incredible, i think you had perfectly used the Light maybe too on Photoshop.
i like it a lot.
cheers
greg

I've already seen that before. Those statues are pretty nice. And your b&w shot is particularly a good one.
Regards, David

A very interesting note about this strange sculpture. You made a good job with the light and seperated the sculpture from the BG with this large spot of light on the wall. A very good job. David, this is something new that I have learned from you.

Hello David, thank you for this very instructive comment on the Kachina dolls. The picture is of "studio" quality. I guess this museum of Utah State University must be very interesting and have a big "Hopi Indians" department.

David, i like the white and black idea. Good composition. well Done!!
Sergio

David,
My second critique is for this picture now. The option you did is excelent and because the mother of my mother was also "Indian" by Manaus in Brazil. Possible a emotional commentary but also a great picture by you.

Great work and vision!
You communicate your work with great quality and personal creativity.
Luis

  • Great 
  • jmdias Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1810 W: 179 N: 2412] (9608)
  • [2007-08-20 18:12]

david

good shot showing a piece of art. The light and option for B&W was good here.

Jorge

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