David A Kravitz
Kravitz_02B-2263141
CAPTION: Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/Isanti Dakota/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) sings tribal songs in the Potomac Atrium of the National Museum of the American Indian, located at the southeast end of the National Mall (corner of Independence Avenue and 4th Street SW) in Washington, DC. (38.88841262004224, -77.0165209024935) February 26, 2025.
RESEARCH: Here we see Mr. Zotigh in the Potomac Atrium. The round room and high dome represent a central gathering and ceremonial space (www.smithgroup.com/projects/national-museum-of-the-americ...). The circle of sandstone visible in the middle of the atrium represents the heart of the museum and connects the N-S and E-W axes of the building (worldarchitecture.org/architecture-news/czpgh/national-mu...). The multi-colored light ray visible on the far wall is created by one of the acrylic prisms high in the opposite wall that face true south and represent the importance of the sun for Native cultures (americanindian.si.edu/sites/1/files/pdf/press_releases/NM...). Finally, Mr. Zotigh is fulfilling one of the primary purposes of the museum – educating the public about Native cultures (americanindian.si.edu/).
PROCESS & PROGRESS: The limited research I have done has substantially deepened my understanding of the museum’s building and grounds. Many of the photographs I’d previously taken are relevant to what I’ve learned, but the research has suggested the need for additional photographs (e.g., of the surrounding landscape and the cardinal direction-markers/rocks) if I were to complete a more extensive documentation.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Two photographers caught my attention for opposite reasons. Deborah Luster presented her photographs in round frames, giving the viewer the impression of looking at the scene through a telescope that peers into the past. This is an interesting approach that has never occurred to me. Ken Ashton walked along M street to document the different neighborhoods through which it passed. I’d already considered a similar approach in Arlington County – walking the 6 miles of George Mason Drive (N to S) and the 4.8 miles of Wilson Blvd (E to W). This would be a continuation of my project in PHT101, in which I contrasted poor and wealthy neighborhoods defined by elementary schools with many or few students receiving free lunches.
Kravitz_02B-2263141
CAPTION: Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/Isanti Dakota/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) sings tribal songs in the Potomac Atrium of the National Museum of the American Indian, located at the southeast end of the National Mall (corner of Independence Avenue and 4th Street SW) in Washington, DC. (38.88841262004224, -77.0165209024935) February 26, 2025.
RESEARCH: Here we see Mr. Zotigh in the Potomac Atrium. The round room and high dome represent a central gathering and ceremonial space (www.smithgroup.com/projects/national-museum-of-the-americ...). The circle of sandstone visible in the middle of the atrium represents the heart of the museum and connects the N-S and E-W axes of the building (worldarchitecture.org/architecture-news/czpgh/national-mu...). The multi-colored light ray visible on the far wall is created by one of the acrylic prisms high in the opposite wall that face true south and represent the importance of the sun for Native cultures (americanindian.si.edu/sites/1/files/pdf/press_releases/NM...). Finally, Mr. Zotigh is fulfilling one of the primary purposes of the museum – educating the public about Native cultures (americanindian.si.edu/).
PROCESS & PROGRESS: The limited research I have done has substantially deepened my understanding of the museum’s building and grounds. Many of the photographs I’d previously taken are relevant to what I’ve learned, but the research has suggested the need for additional photographs (e.g., of the surrounding landscape and the cardinal direction-markers/rocks) if I were to complete a more extensive documentation.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Two photographers caught my attention for opposite reasons. Deborah Luster presented her photographs in round frames, giving the viewer the impression of looking at the scene through a telescope that peers into the past. This is an interesting approach that has never occurred to me. Ken Ashton walked along M street to document the different neighborhoods through which it passed. I’d already considered a similar approach in Arlington County – walking the 6 miles of George Mason Drive (N to S) and the 4.8 miles of Wilson Blvd (E to W). This would be a continuation of my project in PHT101, in which I contrasted poor and wealthy neighborhoods defined by elementary schools with many or few students receiving free lunches.