Dennis Holloway, An Architect in Northern New Mexico
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on Little Bighorn Competition
Entry in the National Design Competition for an Indian
Memorial at The Little Bighorn Battlefield
National Monument, 1997
"PEACE THROUGH UNITY"
This Project is a collaboration between
Architect-Dennis Holloway, Artist-Ron
Davis,
Artist-Gabriel G. Gonzales (Jemez
Pueblo), and Barbara Bentley
This Entry was selected by the Jury as part of the
traveling exhibition.
VR model of proposed Indian Memorial looking Northwest toward
7th Cavalry Monument.
Model built and rendered with VIDI
Presenter Professional.
This is collaborative team response to the 1997 National Design
Competition for an Indian Memorial to the Native souls who died
at the Battle of Little Bighorn--Custers last stand.
The Proposed Indian Memorial integrates Native American traditional
and symbolic elements into a work of art that is, at once, archetypal
and universal for all people.
The Memorial centerpiece is The Great Bead Loom, composed of 7560
hand-sized specially-produced woven glass beads. Colored red,
white, black, and yellow, the beads represent life, and the colors
and fabric of the human family. Viewed from the 7th Cavalry Monument,
against the backdrop of the distant northern hills, the Loom's
horizontal stripes evoke peace and repose. Sunlight passing through
the red transparent beads will fall on the native prairie as blood-red
shadows.
Double three-pole Tipi Frames reach skyward to carry the weight
of the Sky Lodge Pole. The Great Bead Loom is stretched taut between
the horizontal Sky and Earth Lodge Poles. The triangular arrangement
of poles of each Tipi are inverted (in plan) and represent male
and female prayer pathways to heaven. The Great Bead Loom is within
the double Tipi Frames, a context symbolizing shelter and protection
within a unified community.
The Tipi Frames and Sky and Earth Lodge Poles are made of rust-inhibiting
Cor-Ten steel. The double tripod structure provides maximum stability
and wind bracing. Six concrete piers bearing on non-expansive
soils support the Tipi Frames, and minimally disturb the native
prairie during construction.
The humility of Native American peoples before the Power of the
Great Spirit is epitomized in The Great Bead Loom. This Memorial
to the sacrifice and oppression of all Native Americans will serve
all of humanity as a prayer for universal peace.
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