Siitala: Life in Balance, World in Bloom

FAIN: GE-50033-08

Museum of Northern Arizona, Inc. (Flagstaff, AZ 86001-8348)
Kelley A. Hays-Gilpin (Project Director: September 2007 to July 2009)

Planning for a traveling exhibition on Hopi culture as explicated through Hopi eyes.

The Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) and the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office (HCPO) are planning an exhibit about the Hopi world, entitled S?itala: Life in Balance, World in Bloom. The Hopi term s?itala (see-tah-lah) describes the ?land brightened with flowers,? a concept that metaphorically expresses the reciprocity between humans and the natural world that is necessary for all elements of life to thrive. S?itala will explain Hopi ideas about art, environment, and human aesthetic activity based on the authority of nearly 40 Hopi cultural specialists and artists who have contributed to thematic development and exhibit content. MNA is requesting $40,000 of a total project cost of $75,174 (direct costs) to convene an advisory team of Hopi cultural specialists, museum professionals, archaeologists, and anthropologists to produce draft text, begin exhibit design, and complete other tasks outlined in the narrative