#10: Legend of the Coyote and Crow by Lillian Pitt
Play Audio
About the Artwork
Two sculptures by Warm Springs artist Lillian Pitt depict scenes from a Native American legend involving two famous tricksters, Coyote and Crow, in a cautionary tale that warns against naivety. Coyote is crafted from hand-forged bronze and copper and is poised upon a basalt stone inscribed with petroglyphic imagery. Nearby, Crow and his companions are perched on a stainless steel tree. This installation was made in collaboration with artists Ben Dye and Juno Lachman. It was made possible thanks to a partnership with the Bend Park & Recreation District and with generous funding by the Bend Sustainability Fund.
Legend of the Coyote and Crow, narrated by Lillian Pitt
Long, long ago, in the time of the ancestors, Coyote was roaming the rugged foothills among narrow columns of rock. It was there that he spied his old friend Crow perched on the rocks with several of his juvenile crow friends. They were laughing uproariously. Coyote came closer, wanting to get in on the fun.
As Coyote watched, Crow focused his attention on a lone tree in the meadow that stretched out before them. Then, in practiced motion, Crow ruffled his feathers, squeezed his eyelids shut, and with a loud Pop his eyeballs shot out from his head like lightning. The eyes flew across the meadow, circled the tree, and came hurling back toward Crow as he let out a full-throated, “Whu-u-u-u-u-u-u,” whereupon his eyes sailed back into their sockets. The fledglings followed suit, taking turns and laughing as they tried to outmatch each other.
Intrigued, Coyote addressed Crow. “What is it you are doing?” he inquired.
Crow replied, “Why, we are racing our eyes. You should try it.”
Eager to prove himself, Coyote turned toward the tree and strained with all his might to send forth his eyes, but his efforts were in vain.
“Here, let me help you,” said Crow. In a flash, he plucked out Coyote’s eyes, and sent them soaring across the meadow.
Just then, Crow and his companions flew off, caught up with Coyote’s eyes and devoured them in mid-air.
Stranded and alone, Coyote continued crying out, “Whu-u-u-u-u-u-u,” to call back his eyes, but his voice only grew fainter as misery set in.
At last, Coyote rose and stumbled blindly around the rocky landscape until he came upon a clump of blooming yellow flowers. In desperation, he clapped a flower into each empty socket and faced the sun. Slowly, the sky and meadow came into view. He could see again! And there in the distance, Crow and his flock were perched in the tree, laughing.
Play Audio
Find #10: Legend of the Coyote and Crow by Lillian Pitt
