Buffalo Dusk by Carl Sandburg
The buffaloes are gone.
And those who saw the buffaloes are gone.
Those who saw the buffaloes by thousands and how they pawed the prairie sod into dust with their hoofs, their great heads down pawing on in a great pageant of dusk,
Those who saw the buffaloes are gone.
And the buffaloes are gone.
The Ghost Buffalo is a tribute to the 60 million buffaloes that were once here and now gone, and to their sacred spirits. Because of calculated extinction by the government and cattlemen they were reduced to only a few dozen. Thanks to tribal herds, National parks, private conservation and ranches there are currently over 500,000.
For five years I had this idea- herds of adobe buffalo throughout the west, ghost buffalo. I had visions of stampeding herds, and of a huge buffalo spirit like a butte in the desert that spoke to me. A shaman told me of a spirit near me, with a buffalo headdress and a spear.
I had to do it. I was called.
Full Scale Drawing
1. June 1 to Oct. 30, 2016: The full scale drawing, size determined by wall I drew on- 8’X12’ (and a couple more around the corner). Actual male bison are about 6’ tall.
Scale Model of Sculpture Field
2. Many anatomy studies made with traditional micaceous (mica bearing) clay. Scale model of sculpture field I dreamed of building in perspective.
Adobe Clay Samples
3. Tried over 100 tests of formulae to find most workable and durable. Went to every adobe supplier from Santa Fe to Albuquerque. Spoke to adobe experts all over the west. Left the best samples outside over winter.
Ghost Buffalo Anchors Installed
4. Oct. 6, 2016: Ed Crocker, internationally known adobe builder, kindly consulted with me and personally installed the four 10’ helical anchors for the foundation.
Personal Protective Equipment
5. June 5, 2017: Ten boxes of gloves masks and safety vests wrangled by Jeff Lynch of Ritz Safety Equipment.
Welding the Armature
6. June 13, 2017: Caleb Smith welding the armature, based on my model and engineer Jim Hand’s specs.
Mesh Covering Applied
7. June 16, 2017: Crew applies metal mesh covering.
Adobe Dirt Delivery
8. June 21, 2017: 15K lbs. of adobe dirt delivered, from Cerillos Road excavation project.
Adobe Gold
9. Adobe dirt covers the ground.
Armature Arrives
10. June 23, 2017: Armature delivered by sculptor Don Kennell and crew.
Altar
11. Before work every day I offered tobacco, drummed and sang the Buffalo Song.
Connected to the Earth
12. June 25, 2017: Armature is bolted to the anchors.
Trial and Error
13. First coat would not stick to mesh! Libby suggested screening out rocks and pebbles. Laura made wood frames with wire mesh.
Armature Reinforcements
14. June 28, 2017: Inside armature- stuck long screws down to help dirt stay on underside.
Camp Volunteers
15. Many volunteers from the local community assisted with the project.
Very Hot
16. Tent blew down first day in strong winds. Tied a sheet to armature for shade
Mixing Adobe
17. Mixing adobe and screening dirt.
Special Formula
18. Measured water, added weighed dirt, Titebond III, straw and eventually nylon fibers
Tools of the Trade
19. Mix with drill.
Applying Adobe
20. Phillip applying adobe. He also cut wood for horns and tail, took me mica mining, and brought cactus. And always came when I panicked.
First Layer
21. Jul. 7, 2017 – Still working on layer 1. Slow! Eventually seven layers and several inches thick.
And the Rains Came
22. Monsoon season begins. Went from hot to rainy.
Soaked
23. July 14, 2017: adobe won’t stick to dry adobe, but also won’t stick to really wet adobe.
Raincoat On
24. Covered him every night afterwards.
Second Layer
25. July 18, 2017.
Horn Position
26. July 29, 2016: Deanna holding up horns for position.
Layer 3?
27. July 30, 2017: Karen with tail on Buffy.
Black Rock Eyes
28. Aug. 9, 2017 – Eyes made of rocks from local land.
Head to Tail
29. Aug. 14, 2017 – Head and end of tail covered.
Fur Started
30. Work on Buffy’s fur begins.
Solar Eclipse
31. Aug. 20, 2017: T shirt from solar eclipse- amazing!
Falling Adobe
32. Aug. 29 – Disaster! couldn’t stop adobe from falling off- Aaugh! not working! what to do??
Adobe Repair
33. Aug. 31, 2017: Rob shows me how it’s done in the building trade.
Chimayo in Bloom
34. Oct. 2, 2017: Chimayo blooming around Buffy.
More Texture
35. Texture is refined around Buffy’s head and neck.
Almost Done!
36. Oct. 13, 2017: Seven or eight layers.
Foundation Cover
37. Oct. 15, 2017: Volunteer with front loader moves remaining dirt to cover foundation.
Cactus Garden
38. Oct.19-20, 2017: Obi Oberhausen and Cactus Rescue friends install cactus garden.
Adobe Detail
39. Surface detail with mica, to reflect traditional micaceous clay.
Linseed Oil
40. Aracielly painting linseed oil on surface, for added protection and color.
Completed!
41. Done at the last possible moment-typical!
Ghost Buffalo
42. Site facing west.
Buffalo Signage
43. Oct. 21, 2017: Sign installed just before opening.
Four Directions
44. Ceremony – Opening the directions to sanctify space.
Buffalo Song
45. Karen leads the Buffalo Song at the ceremony.
Prayers
46. All participants put their prayers inside, as is done with statues of Buddhas.
Buffalo Fans
47. A good turnout for the opening.
Sacred Melodies
48. Native American flute player at opening ceremony with Libby.
Volunteers
49. Special thanks to Lora
Laura
50. and to Laura.
Navajo Visitor
51. A Navajo man driving by stopped to open the directions in Lakota with me.
Camper
52.Camper.
Two Sisters
53. Two sisters.
Volunteers
54. Father and daughter.
Volunteers at Work
55. Thanks to the many volunteers and visitors who supported the project and made it possible.
Completed!
56. Happy ending – the Ghost Buffalo remains strong to this day. You are welcome to visit him.