Public art sparks spirited conversations. But conversations coming from the recently completed bison murals in Mancos have degraded from the beauty, relevance and cultural significance of the artwork to the genitalia of the animals. The artwork on two sides of an industrial building, seen from U.S. Highway 160 on the west end of town, pays homage to the importance of bison to Colorado Utes. The finished artwork is not to the building owner\u2019s taste. And he wants it down. Now.<\/p>\n
Locals in Mancos, population 1,221, have a lot to say about the situation. Off the record, that is. Complicating conversations is that owner Jury Krajack has a downtown stretch of rental properties. No one wants to chance retaliation. This gets in the way of transparent talk about how this situation snowballed to where it is now.<\/p>\n
Locals will say, though, they appreciate the murals. Previously a chipped Pepto-Bismol pink, the building was painted a smoky, rusty sandstone, a backdrop that blends seamlessly into surrounding landscape. Movement is captured in the swish of a bison\u2019s tail. Broad, majestic shoulders show power of physique with calves playing in the background. The eye does not go to genitalia \u2013 completely natural in its rendition \u2013 but to the sweeping beauty of these animals key to Ute culture.<\/p>\n
We are among those scratching heads. The artwork is fitting and suits Mancos\u2019 slogan of \u201cwhere the West stills lives.\u201d The murals are stunning.<\/p>\n
Living in Florida, Krajack\u2019s only on-the-record comment is, \u201cIt was not authorized.\u201d As in, by him.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re hearing different stories of how and when the arrangement went sideways. Of note, though, is the owner\u2019s strong reaction and dislike in polar opposition to art lovers who\u2019ve said \u2013 off the record \u2013 Krajack doesn\u2019t like the hind part of the animal in front view, along with the genitalia.<\/p>\n
Scoring muralist Chip Thomas for this project was a feat. Thomas is renowned for The Painted Desert Project, a constellation of murals on the Navajo Nation. Thomas, also a physician, has dedicated his life\u2019s work to health care and the beautification of the reservation. If Thomas set out to match artwork with \u201cwhere the West stills lives,\u201d he nailed it.<\/p>\n
When asked about his preferred outcome, Thomas said: \u201cIt\u2019s really up to the community. I\u2019ve invested the work with love and let it go.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 1887, British photographer Eadweard Muybridge documented a bison running. When Thomas\u2019 work was done, he projected Muybridge\u2019s bison over the murals, bridging some history. A finishing touch, a thoughtful commemoration we would like to have witnessed.<\/p>\n
Yes, this is private-property-rules country. And Krajack owns that building. We\u2019d just like a compromise brokered so the murals can stay. Gifts to the community.<\/p>\n
The irony of it all is too much. White men eradicated the bison. A white man would like to eradicate this art.<\/p>\n
One in-town resident said the owner would have preferred a cattle-drive scene, more cowboy than Indian. A cattle-drive mural already graces the west side of a liquor store. Wouldn\u2019t a Native American nod complement what\u2019s already there?<\/p>\n
Someone who does not have a stake but a perspective is Margaret Hunt, former director of Colorado Creative Industries Division under the Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Hunt said: \u201cPublic art adds meaning to our creative districts and uniqueness to our communities. When so many cities look the same, what better symbol than an image of a bison?<\/p>\n
\u201cMurals help a community tell the story about its unique identify and what it values. A sad part of our history is what happened to Native American people and the way of life we trampled. It\u2019s just unfortunate that it continues to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
T.J. Zark, president of the Mancos Creative District, said, \u201cThis is an ongoing situation and we can\u2019t comment at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ideally, this turn of events inspires other property owners to offer space for public art. We see the bison murals as adding value to this property. Already, locals and tourists stop and take pictures. And we\u2019re talking about what these murals say about this community, and the differences that stir inside us.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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