20th Century Totem
by Marian Rasfeld
This assemblage sculpture was inspired by Totem Poles, which were created by North American native people, especially in the Pacific Northwest, to honor their culture, events and experiences.
The Totem commemorates many facets of 20th Century culture.
There are references to artists such as Warhol, Pollock and Calder; and nods to pop culture and music.
Also included are bits of technology that were once the latest thing, but are already artifacts. Discs, film negatives, slides and other items are unrecognizable relics from a distant past to some younger viewers. What was once State of the Art, is now, just Art!
Recycled materials used to build the totem include plastic containers, metal, paper and cardboard Faces found in the materials add to the intrigue, as the Totem rises from the earth to the sea to wings flying through the air.
We reflect on how fast our technology and culture continues to change, and aim to find new uses for discarded materials.
