David Lopez (Ten Crows)

Date2014

MediumPhotograph printed on aluminum

Dimensions36 × 36 in. (91.4 × 91.4 cm)

ClassificationsPhotography

Credit LineGift of the artist

Object number2017.8.6

Label TextMoving Forward, Looking Back: Journeys Across the Old Spanish Trail is a multidisciplinary artistic project focused on identity, based on memory, and inspired by travel. Intrigued by the expeditions undertaken by the Spanish explorers in the Southwest of the United States in the 19th century, and driven by her quest for insightful knowledge of that world and its remains, the Spanish photo-journalist Janire Najera took the Old Spanish Trail accompanied by her camera, her assistant Matt Wright, and a 1984 RV named Orwell.

They call him Ten Crows in Abiquiu, but he is really an eagle. Most of his family members are eagles; the crows are from "la otra banda." But he calls himself David Lopez, at least that was the given to him by the people who baptized him. His father was Elfido Lopez y Valdes and his grandmother was Montes Vigil and Valdes, so he comes from a long lineage of people with Spanish surnames.
There are not anymore indigenous people in this community, but there are many who remember that their ancestors of this pueblo were native Americans. Today they all speak Spanish, the same as his ancestors, and this is the language he grew up with.
David has been researching and educating people in Abiquiu for many years and now he is encouraging them for change, for recognition. At the age of 62 he feels prepared to fight for the recognition of Abiquiu as a pueblo.
He says that in the area they are really proud of their Spanish ancestors but that their soul can't be understood in the Roman Catholic sense brought by the first settlers; "our soul is on the ground and starts with water from our holy mountain. And that water is what sustains us here and is where is all starts."

Status

On view

Location