In Anchorage, Alaska, Native American sculptor Donnie Varnell has used manga style in a pair of totem poles. The unusual idea raised at least one eyebrow:
Anchorage School Board member Mary Marks, who’s Tlingit, remarked at the time that the images Varnell had proposed — a boy and a girl each interacting with a wolf in an almost cartoonish rendering — were untraditional and “caused the hairs on my neck to go up.”
But Varnell, who is part Haida and studied with several traditional pole-carvers, hasn’t exactly thrown tradition to the winds. Many Native American art works include references to contemporary culture.
The poles, which combine the manga style with a more “traditional” look, will be installed at Ptarmigan Elementary School in Anchorage.
I had the unique priviledge of being able to watch Donny carve and paint the totem poles and was present at the unveiling Mondy afternoon. I think it’s wonderful to combine traditional Haida with modern images the children can appreciate. Donny’s maternal relatives were there to do a Haida dance to bless the poles, and to show the children the pride in their culture. Hopefully this will connect the children to both worlds. Donny is of both worlds, it makes sense his art would reflect both as well.
I am disturbed by the idea of totem poles being accepted on school property. Totem poles do exhibit great art and cultural history of Native American peoples, and as such have their place. However, they go beyond just “art”. The “totem” to many Native Americans was their guardian spirit. Totem poles depicted the various guardian spirits who were protecting the family or tribe that they overlooked. They were a vital part of the religion of these various tribes. That is where I have a problem using Federal funds to place totem poles on a state/federally funded school ground. The United States Courts have found on many occasions that separation of church and state requires religious symbols and artifacts to be kept from schools and school grounds. If you argue that totem poles represent art and only art, then you could also argue that the icons depicting Jesus, Mary and many other Saints in the Russian and Greek Orthodox faiths are just that, too. And as art which holds great cultural significance to the Greek and Russian people, then we should be displaying that in our schools as well. As they are icons of Judeo-Christian faith though, I doubt many people would even seriously consider placing these symbols in our nation’s schools. To conclude, the idea of separation of church and state encompasses all religions, not just the Judeo-Christian ideals.
Donnie’s sculptures are truly amazing and are a unique blend of cultures. It was fascinating to see the children of Ptarmigan Elementary react to the poles and feel their excitement. Traditional-style houseposts, while amazing, would not have peaked the children’s interest as these have. I applaud Donnie’s efforts in bringing his culture to the young to appreciate.
The Ptarmigan elementary school has as it’s mascot the timberwolf. This in itself shows the level of logical reasoning being imparted to the students there.
I am an artist whose concept for the public artwork was declined in favor of Varnell’s poles. I also attended the unveiling, as did many of the students and teachers which was important because it was well after regular school closing hours.
Having caveated myself, I also offer these insights: These two poles are sited facing the school entrance with their carved out backsides facing the community like patients in hospital robes. The spiritual qualities of the proprietory ovoid designs made in poles by master carvers are diminished if not completely lacking in these two carvings, one of which has been painted to look as though it has those little daisy shape anti-slip bathtup mat stickers all over it. The other one depicts ptarmigan that look like little sperms, or the race of schmoos from the last century comic strip L’il Abner.
The dance associated with raising a pole is supposed to be initiated by the carver, who demurred to his sister-in-laws, which is ridiculous. Varnell is a caucasian ‘native’, whose marital relationships gained him the status he seems uncomfortable with. If there is a proper religious element in this carving, it is lost in the manga treatment and seems ersatz.
The totem poles at the federal courthouse in Anchorage exemplify more closely the contradiction the previous correspondent mentions. Apparently, PC trumps the constitution for those on the art panels responsible for these commissions.
I find the negative comments regarding Donnie Varnell’s totem poles fraught with ignorance of the culture and sour grapes. First of all, anyone with even a basic knowledge of Haida culture would find Mr. Runyan’s “Separation of Church and State” argument ludicrous. Totem poles are not religious icons and the carved figures do not represent “guardian spirits”. I’ll save you a history/cultural lesson, but I would suggest that you “do your homework” before you jump up on your soapbox. As for Mr. Ricker’s comments, I appreciate the fact that he revealed that he had submitted a proposal that was not accepted. At least that helps explain that his comments were , in part, obviously motivated by a big dose of sour grapes. But, it isn’t just the sour grapes. It is apparent that he has limited knowledge of Donnie’s background and Haida culture. First his reference to the “spiritual qualities of his proprietory ovoid designs” indicates a fundamental lack of understanding of NWC formline design. Maybe one should do a little research before making such inflammatory remarks. As for the comment of Varnell “demurring” to his sister-in-laws and his status as a Haida, you should know what you are talking about before making personal attacks. Donnie’s aunt and cousin danced for him. Maybe you should ask Donnie why he let them dance in his stead instead of offering your own “psychoanalysis”. Furthermore, Donnie is Haida by blood not marriage. In fact, his family is well known and respected in the Haida community.
I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion concerning works of art. If you don’t like the work, so be it. To me, art should arouse emotional responses. Obviously, these pieces have accomplished that. However, I think it crosses the line when it becomes personal attacks, especially when it is based in ignorance.
Art, like culture, is dynamic. It reflects the world the artist lives in. Work done today that may seem “non-traditional” may very well become “traditional” in the future.
I think Donnie is a terrific artist, and a fantastic contributor to the traditions. Any artist combines a deep sense of individuality with a long tradition. It doesn’t matter one bit how much blood quantum of “Native” that person has, no matter how many elitist, racist, and ignorant comments try to make that be. Any art, at its best, is a spiritual experience deeply connected with the community. Only modern art exalts the individual, while Native art exalts the tradition. I see only a superficial distinction between tradition and individuality. It helps to understand the traditions de Kooning was steeped in, but not necessary to appreciate his work. I believe the same applies to Varnell’s work.
Hooray for Chris Hanson’s intelligent response! Well put, sir.
In addition: Hooray for Donnie’s poles! Hooray for rediscovering and reinterpreting old traditions in such a way that they become alive and personal and accessible and relevant! Hooray for every artist who makes beautiful and good things that enliven our communities! Hooray for all ADHD children of the postmodern era who revel in the cacophony of ten thousand overlapping histories and cultures, who make sense of it all by refusing to demand that anything conform to the ideals of a bunch of windbags!
One final question to ponder: Are they sperms or schmoos? Are they storm troopers? Are they those weird forest spirits from Princess Mononoke? Are they windbags? If you look closely, I think you can actually see that a subset of the population is, in fact, sperm, and to the left of those are schmoos. Around the side, yep, those are the storm troopers. I kinda don’t think there are actually any forest spirits. The rest are windbags.
I am a woman who leads a dance group of 50 or more. We would be more powerful if I would allow more. but we got too big. We’re very powerful but there’e no room for us because all the traditional dance groups were families for the last 100 or more years. I come from a village, I knew and have worked with Donnie on a three totem pole project for a tribe of over 5,000 members. We love Donnie. I worked with him every week when I had to do a report to the Tribal Council that I work for (for the last 15 years) I was in charge of their 3 totem pole project, – it was perfect, the POTLATCH was perfect, And as far as I’m concerned, Donnie Varnell sets a perfect example of what we as Natiive Alaskans are almost starving for: Alaskan Native Artists with the knowledge of actual NW Coast totem pole caring. Cheryl Haven, Ketchikan Indian Corporation Tribal Council Executive Assistant
Donnie worked in my garage for 2 months to work on these totem poles. The girl totem is named after me, and the boy after my brother, Taku. Donnie is a Wonderful artist and has very breathtaking skill. The white “blobs” at the bottom of the boy totem pole are infact spirts of the ptarmigan.