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Museum of Indian Arts and Culture
Cochiti Pueblo Potter
Virgil Ortiz Displays Spin on Tradition with New
Clay Works Series: Vertigo
Santa Fe, NM—The past receives a
current voice with Virgil Ortiz’ newest
figurative work. With pieces whose scale and
style are both unprecedented, the series infuses
cultural understanding and historic research.
Just as his ancestors used clay to comment on
their lives and experiences; Ortiz does the same
and adds a fresh element and spin enlisting
family members to contribute their respective
works in this spectacular series.
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Ben Wittick Photo,
Cochiti Pueblo Figures, Circa 1880’s
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Virgil Ortiz Photo,
Cochiti Pueblo Figures, By Virgil Ortiz
and
Ortiz Family, “Vertigo: A Spin on
Tradition - Reviving the Past” 2011 |
Inspired by Ben Wittick’s photograph, circa
1880, Ortiz recreates the scene using a
photograph of the Charles Bridge he took during
a visit to Prague, Czech Republic in 1999. “When
I walked up to the Charles Bridge, it reminded
me of that photo from the Clay People book and I
knew someday I would recreate it” says Ortiz.
Vertigo opens August 1 and runs through
September 5, 2011 at the Museum of Indian Arts
and Culture located at 710 Camino Lejo off Old
Santa Fe Trail. Twenty-two pieces in all made by
Ortiz and his family are in the exhibition.
In
conjunction with the exhibition is a panel
discussion, Vertigo: A Spin on Tradition ~
Reviving the Past with Virgil Ortiz and family
members, moderated by Charles King, on Sunday,
August 7, 2 p.m. Free with Museum admission.
Seating is limited.
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