Statue causes stir on campus

Racist interpretations of a Native American statue Keene State College received as a gift have sparked a series of dialogues.

The Commission on Diversity and Multiculturalism conducted two Speak Outs, the first on Nov. 5 and the second on Nov. 13.

The Speak Outs covered the issues raised by the statue, which include its possible inaccuracies and the placement of the statue on campus.

"This sculpture could and did indeed trigger negative feelings," commission member Ruth Parent said. "As a campus we should decide if, how, where and in what context this sculpture should be displayed."

The bronze statue, "King of the Maquas" by Jud Hartmann, was given to the college by Robert Hubbard as part of a 56 piece donation. The piece is relatively small, only 45 inches in height and depicts a muscular man's body and a strong, chiseled face. On the statue's chest is a large tribal tattoo. Woven into his hair are feathers and he holds a sizable gun in one hand.

"It's like looking at this strange comic book character Superman," said sophomore George Barber.

Other problems that have been cited in relation to the statue are interpretations of its name. At the first Speak Out, , entitled Abenaki Ways, guest speaker Donna Moody said some loose translations of "Maquas" are derogatory terms such as "coward" and "cannibal," and are offensive to some.

"It may not be something we see in everyday life or hear about, but it's there," commission member Kathleen Maceda said.

According to Dean of Arts and Humanities Nona Fienberg, the piece had the potential for difficulties from the beginning because of what it depicted.

"The question of visual representation of American Indians has a deep present and complicated past," she said.

Fienberg said the Facilities/Planning Advisory Committee has not made any decision as to where to place the statue and it is currently being kept in storage at an undisclosed location.

However, the battle rages on as to where an appropriate place would be to place the statue. Options for the president's garden and Thorne art gallery have been shot down already.

Because of the issues surrounding the statue, the Diversity commission and those at the Nov. 13 Speak Out agreed that an outdoor placement would reflect the views of the college in general and therefore perpetuate a stereotypical image.

"There is this deep question of exhibition, possession and voyeurism and Jud Hartmann has landed on it," English Department Chair Mike Antonucci said.

Art Department Chair Rosemarie Bernardi said she wouldn't want the statue in the gallery because it is "not strong contemporary art."

However, many suggested it be displayed as a teaching method and only seen by those who wish to see it.

"I think because one little statue has done this it needs to be on display with what happened here," Bud Winsor, Assistant Director of Physical Plant said. "It's made me incredibly curious about the whole thing."

Barber agreed, noting the only thing the college can do with the statue is learn from it.

"I take faith in the teaching staff that it [statue] can be in storage and used as a teaching tool," he said. "If we use it in that way it's a person's choice. If it's put out there we're subjecting people to it.