The Future Begins Now
Dimensions15.5"x12"
Classifications3D Object
Object number2013.003.01
DescriptionBronze statue on a black circular quartz base with black felt on the bottom. The statue is made of bronze and has been shaped to look like a right hand from the middle of the forearm down. The hand is holding up a muskrat by its middle. The muskrat is holding a clump of soil in its paws. The clump of soil is connected to the middle of a a turtle's shell. The turtle appears to be coming out of the water and only the top of the shell and the turtle's head are visible. The turtle is looking back over its left side at the muskrat. There is a green patina on the turtle's head and on the crevices of the shell. There is a blue patina where the water is represented. Carved on the water section under the muskrat's face is "Clyde B. Slavin 2004". Informational letter in physical file and saved in H:\Collections-Ethnology Division\2013 Acquisitions\2013.003.001 G Clyde Slavin\2013.003.001\Notes reads, "The Future Begins Now, One of the first times I heard the Potawatomi Creation Story was at a Regional Council Meeting. At the first Family Festival, my daughters Michelle and Rebekah attended with me. On the plane trip back to the NW, I made my first sketches of the sculpture representing Our Creation Story. Even though my intent was to carve the figure in wood, my first rough cuts did not come out well. The plans and first attempts were put aside and gathered dust. While visiting a gallery in Troutdale, Oregon I found a place to learn and produce sculptures. This piece was my first sculpture in bronze. Previous works had been in wood. After some study of the story and what is portrayed by our Grandfather and the animals, I decided that there would need to be feelings presented. The Muskrat represents to me an individual who has totally committed to completing a task that others found less important. When Muskrat floated to the surface it was oblivious that a sacrifice had been made and dead or alive Muskrat deserved to be treated with respect. Therefore, Muskrat was gently lifted and handled carefully with a full hand (not with two fingers or a stick trying not to touch a dirty creature). The ball of dirt from beneath the water represented life, not just to our Grandfather, but also all the other animals that need land to live. Turtle is resting in water that laps upon its shell. Turtle offered its back for the soil from beneath the water, but was still curious about what Grandfather was doing with Muskrat, so Turtle is trying hard to see. I live in Vancouver, Washington wtih my wife Kathy. My occupation is Optometry. Working with ideas and materials to represent those ideas is a pleasure. Clyde B. Slavin, O.D. Vancourver, Washington Citizen Potawatomi". The time stamp at the top of this (facsimile) is 04/02/2010. Another note (not scanned, but in physical file) reads, "Clyde Slavin Bronze Creation Story Statue At the first family festival in 20?? Clyde was there with two daugthers and Rocky shared the creation story. After the festival Clyde flew back and on the flight he started sketching what rocky[sic] had explained to him about the creation story. Later on down the road Clyde met someone who was doing a class sculpturing in bronze and that thought of rocky[sic] sharing the creation sotry at the festival in 20?? Came back to him. Address: 519 NW Wildwood Drive Vancoover[sic] Washington 98665 503.338.4114 360.909.3776".Collections
Finding AidBronze statue (15.5”x 12”) made by Clyde B. Slavin in 2004 depicting the Potawatomi creation story with the muskrat and turtle. Note from the artist reads, “The Future Begins Now, One of the first times I heard the Potawatomi Creation Story was at a Regional Council Meeting. At the first Family Festival, my daughters Michelle and Rebekah attended with me. On the plane trip back to the NW, I made my first sketches of the sculpture representing Our Creation Story. Even though my intent was to carve the figure in wood, my first rough cuts did not come out well. The plans and first attempts were put aside and gathered dust. While visiting a gallery in Troutdale, Oregon I found a place to learn and produce sculptures. This piece was my first sculpture in bronze. Previous works had been in wood. After some study of the story and what is portrayed by our Grandfather and the animals, I decided that there would need to be feelings presented. The Muskrat represents to me an individual who has totally committed to completing a task that others found less important. When Muskrat floated to the surface it was oblivious that a sacrifice had been made and dead or alive Muskrat deserved to be treated with respect. Therefore, Muskrat was gently lifted and handled carefully with a full hand (not with two fingers or a stick trying not to touch a dirty creature). The ball of dirt from beneath the water represented life, not just to our Grandfather, but also all the other animals that need land to live. Turtle is resting in water that laps upon its shell. Turtle offered its back for the soil from beneath the water but was still curious about what Grandfather was doing with Muskrat, so Turtle is trying hard to see. I live in Vancouver, Washington with my wife Kathy. My occupation is Optometry. Working with ideas and materials to represent those ideas is a pleasure. Clyde B. Slavin, O.D. Vancouver, Washington Citizen Potawatomi".