Wanapum Journey of Design and Fabrication: Traditions and Values Diorama

Traditional activities portraying the Wanapum in a contemporary manner reflect that they have been here, on the Columbia, since time immemorial—and they are still here.

The Traditions and Values diorama embodies a point of view and philosophy rather than a specific location.  The landscape, the mountains, the river, the plants, animals and people continue the enduring major elements in the Wanapum lexicon, but here is a contemporary execution of traditional activities and how they are practiced today. Each mannequin, dressed in appropriate garb, has features sculpted from, and based on, the faces and figures of individual Wanapum.  Rather than a careful reconstruction of some past event with historic clothing, these are the Wanapum as they are now.  The sound of a plane flying overhead reflects the military activities now based on their traditional homeland.  The river is shown as it would have been if there were no dams stopping its flow.

Bianca shows Jan area of mural composition

 

  

 

Traditions and Values Diorama foreground under construction

 

 

Alexandra Sia creates backlit graphic effect

 

Carl and Simone Schlichting preparing and installing artifact mounts

 

L-R Chris Sia, Alexandra Sia, Carl Schlichting, Carol Christianson, Jan Vriesen, Frank Smekar

Mural: Jan Vriesen of Jan Vriesen & Family Art Studio

Plants, grasses, and the diorama foreground:  

Martin Rosnowski of Niche Design LLC; Frank Smekar of Creative Display Installations Inc; and Brad Sickmeyer of Scenic Creations

Animals:  Nathan Scott and Fred Dobbs of Sculpture By Nathan Scott;

painted by Martin Rosnowski of Niche Design LLC

Salmon sculpture by Dan Cline of Daniel Cline Sculpture/Sculpture By Nathan Scott

Specialized Lighting, Soundscape and Interactives (hardware and software): Christopher Sia, Alexandra Sia, David Jones of CPS Electronics Ltd

Mannequins heads and hands: Melanie Furtado Studios, Sculpture By Nathan Scott

Mannequin Forms and artifact mounts by Carl Schlichting, Simone Schlichting and Andreas Schlichting. 

The interactive monitor productions: André & Associates, with videography by Johnny Buck, Nick Johnson of Hey You Media, Christopher Sia, Alexandra Sia and Bianca Message.

Showcase Fabrication: Formations Inc.

The drying rack, the fish platform, the clothing and all replicas were made by the Wanapum, who also supplied all the artifacts that sit in the showcases in front of each traditional activity.