I enjoy walking among the totem poles here in the Grand Hall when I stop in for a visit.
This portion of one in closeup has character.
From the far end of the hall, this totem pole is framed by the staircase going up. And there's a sculpture down there at the left. You may have spotted it in yesterday's post.
This is a plaster cast sculpture by the artist Bill Reid, called The Spirit Of Haida Gwaii. There is a bronze casting of this sculpture at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, and another in the Vancouver airport. Another sculpture by Reid is elsewhere in the museum, and I'll show you that before we're done.
It's an impressive and big sculpture.
I love the totem pole...and that sculpture!
ReplyDeleteIt is impressive. What story does it tell? MB
ReplyDeleteI think totem poles are cool. I've often thought about the figures I'd put on one for me.
ReplyDeleteI have seen the Reid sculpture in Washington. It is really really impressive and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGreat looking art! The Grand Hall must look really impressive looking down on it from the staircase.
ReplyDeleteSo many Artworks, it is a delight !
ReplyDeleteFor some reason that last photo made me think of George Washington crossing the Delaware.
ReplyDeleteI bet this sculpture is even more impressive to see in person.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous sculpture! The figure on the totem pole reminds me of Coventry's "Peeping Tom".
ReplyDeleteJane x
Linda: it does command attention!
ReplyDeleteMB: it contains figures from the traditional beliefs of the Haida tribe working together.
Bibi: mine would feature bears and wolves.
Stuart: I have seen pics of that and the other one.
Tamera: oh yes it does!
Karl: thank you!
Revrunner: now that you mention it, yes!
EG: it is, yes.
Jane and Chris: I will have to google that one!
wow. how interesting!
ReplyDeleteGreat art!
ReplyDeleteGood morning, William. I love these pictures as I love that hall. It is grand and you capture it. Thanks. And thanks for all your kind comments to me. So glad you are enjoying my Morocco!
ReplyDeleteThat sculpture is intriguing and quite unusual... I really like it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great museum! I would love to visit some day. So glad you are sharing your visit with us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for providing the closeups. That's what I wanted to see.
ReplyDeleteI love that sculpture.
ReplyDeleteThese are fantastic William.
ReplyDeleteThe great Bill Reid. The collection is marvellous.
ReplyDeleteI love these totems and the sculpture. They really work in the space, but I guess that was the point.
ReplyDeleteTotem poles are just so intriguing.
ReplyDeleteMarvelous! Makes me want to go to this museum.
ReplyDelete@Tex: I think so!
ReplyDelete@Jackie: indeed!
@Merry: thank you!
@VP: that looks like the consensus.
@Judy: thanks!
@Birdman: you're welcome!
@Sharon: it's very appealing to me.
ReplyDelete@Luis: thanks!
@Ciel: nice to know he's known beyond these borders.
@Barbara: the architect really knew what he was doing in creating this space.
@Annette: they are.
@Linda: museums are a place I'd be happy in any day of the year.
That plaster cast is fabulous! And the totem poles too. ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt would be wonderful if hose totem poles could tell about the scenes they have seen in the past, I think.
ReplyDeleteThat last sculpture is truly impressive.
Very interesting post with great photos!
ReplyDeleteI've seen your comments on several blogs that I also follow. I figured I'd come over and check your blog out. I'm really glad I did!
This is a grand hall indeed with an outstanding collection. You've provided a fine sense of the art it contains and the setting. What a great resource. Do the First Nations people feel good about how this is done?
ReplyDeleteInteresting statue but the totems are my fave!
ReplyDeleteLove the totems!
ReplyDeleteFantastic.
ReplyDelete@RedPat: that's appearing to be the consensus!
ReplyDelete@Jan: in part, the stories do get told through them; we just have to listen.
@Pat: I've seen your comments periodically too; I'll check your page out!
@Kay: I think these days museums treat the First Nations better than, say, a century ago. There's more consultation and respect.... something I can't say for the way the federal government at the moment treats First Nations.
@Cheryl: they're certainly eye catchers!
@Norma: I thought you'd think so!
@Mari: thanks!
Are you talking about Washington DC William, where the original Spirit Of Haida Gwaii is? We go by the embassy it if it's the one I'm thinking about, right next door to the Neuseum. I'd love to stop and walk around to find this sculpture if that's what you were referring to. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteYes, the embassy has it, but I don't know off hand if it's inside or outside. The other version is at the airport in Vancouver, but that's indoors.
DeleteHello again, thank you for letting me know about the sculpture, and I'll have to remember what you said. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteAmazing! BTW - how do people see your comments on comments without coming back to the blog and checking the comments for comments? If you see what I mean. All a bit much at my time of life.
ReplyDeleteI'm bad at coming back to posts after a few days, hence why I find myself answering a comment years later.
DeleteThese are quire wonderful and very interesting scuptures and totems.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteWhoops...meant to say quite...hate it when spell check can't figure out what I meant to type
ReplyDeleteI hate that too, but it happens.
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