Background
Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of the American Indian opened up to the public on September 21, 2004 and is located in Washington, DC on the National Mall. The museum houses one of the largest collection of Native American artifacts in the world and hosts over 1.2 million visitors a year. Initially designed by Native American architect Douglas Cardinal and further developed by Jones, House, and Sakiestewa, “this extended collaboration resulted in a building and site rich with imagery, layers of meaning, and connections to the earth. The building is aligned perfectly to the cardinal directions and the center point of the US Capitol Building dome, and is filled with details, colors, and textures that reflect the Native universe” (NMAI).
Critic’s Review
“The many organic, curved surfaces inside and outside the museum reflect Native Americans’ relationship with the natural environment. These curves and the natural materials used, combined with the landscaping, create an informal, relaxed atmosphere that supports considering the past, present, and future of the first Americans” (Metropolis).
Artworks
The museum houses a variety of art works including: The collection of the former Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation. The collection also includes more than 800,000 objects, as well as a photographic archive of 125,000 images.
Additional Reading
National Museum of the American Indian
‘Nation to Nation’: Full of the intriguing, often maddening details of history