Late March 1994
Journey "Fetish" Goes To Space
Tucson, Arizona
ICC - NASA astronaut Thomas D. Jones will carry symbol on his
first shuttle flight in April. It is an "Earth Ball," designed by
Hopi artist Gerald A. Dawavendewa.
Jones, 39, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of
Arizona, contacted Eugene H. Levy, dean of UA Faculty of Science,
about taking a meaningful UA memento with him on his shuttle
flight.
The UA consulted with Mark Bahti, a Southwestern American Arts
authority and Tucson businessman, who recommended a "fetish
protection set" especially designed to carry on a journey.
Dawavendewa, graduate of the UA graphic program and now on
staff at the Arizona State Museum, designed an original painting
on white buckskin depicting a Hopi view of the sky. In the
painting's center is a depiction of the sun (Taawa). Radiating out
from the sun are symbols for the six directions, the earth, moon,
planets and stars, all encompassed by a rainbow - the symbol of
life.
Fetishes designed by Navajo artist Roy Davis will be placed in
the center of the painting with an accompanying feather and
wrapped as an "Earth Ball." Davis carved each of the six animal
fetishes from a specific stone. Each animal represents one of the
six directions.
After the shuttle flight, the Earth Ball will be returned to
the UA for exhibit.
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Michele Lord + If you have come here to help me,
+ you are wasting your time.....
+ But if you have come because
+ your liberation is bound up with mine,
milo@scicom.alphacdc.com + then let us work together.
Aboriginal Woman
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