Concrete Totem
The Story
It started 58 years ago with this little Totem from a souvenir shop Mackinac City, Michigan
This Totem. It's nothing special. However what it symbolizes to me is pretty special.
I got this when I was 5. It was from Mackinac City. From one of those "Indian Trading Post" souvenir shops. I was fascinated by the Indian stuff, the bows and arrows, the birchbark canoes, as well as the little log cabin incense burners, cork pop guns, slingshots and of course Totems. I didn't know at the time that all the symbols meant something...I just liked them.
All the trading posts had this same smell I thought even when young. Presumably the leather goods and incense ; )
We had several family vacations up north
A place we called Blackies ( because of the dog) just south of Mackinac City on the lake.
On one of these trips I don't know how or why but on one occasion my parents gave in and bought me a Totem. I probably asked a few hundred times before they caved ; )
I don't have everything I had when I was 5 but I have this...I kept it!
I still don't know what the symbols mean. I'm learning though.
But what does my totem symbolize for me. A family vacation, new things, minnows in the creek, playing, campfires, yellow bug lights, surrounded by your whole world in a way only a young child can experience. I had my little brother and two sisters, my mom and dad and my two sets of grandparents all at this one place ...you see that was my whole world at the time. So when I look at my totem I remember some really good times. And remembering then helps me to make it a priority to create good times with those I love.
Which leads me into Totem Chapter 2.
The Concrete Totem
Love at First Sight
These two totems were the first ones I ever saw of this particular statue. I saw this piece on line when I was looking for ideas for totems... epically concrete totem. It's 6 ft tall, 6.5 on a pedesta. Large enough to be a feature piece outdoors or inside. I really like the hand carved, traditional looking totems as well as some contemporary takes on tradition.
But I thought a concrete totem would be cool ...it would outlast me ; )
I liked this design a lot....everything about it...the carving, the proportions...and the Human Face!!!
So I searched every now and then for concrete totems.
Little did I know I'd be casting my own Concrete Totems and making people aware of this magnificent sculpture
Love at Second Sight
The one on Etsy sold, this one is for sale on 1st Dibs
The Fiberglass Mold
While checking out Facebook Marketplace one day I see an ad for a concrete mold for a totem pole. I look closer at the picture. My heart starts racing as I see the unmistakable cheek bones and braids of the Concrete Totem of my dreams.I purchased it and began in earnest trying to piece together the history of this sculpture. My research thus far leans towards this. These particular concrete statues are pretty rare. Or there are some out there but not any photos on the internet of them.
The statues depicted may have come from the mold I have. Or these molds may have been produced commercially for concrete statuary business many years ago. Probably the 60s or 70s.
The research continues. In the meantime I'll be preparing the mold to cast a few limited run of Concrete Totems. The new ones will have re bar and wire mesh and built with a high quality cement mix.
They'll certainly outlast any of us...and that I find very satisfying : )