stringtranslate.com

Trail of the Whispering Giants

The Trail of the Whispering Giants is a collection of sculptures by Hungarian-born[1] artist Peter Wolf Toth.[2][3] The sculptures range in height from 20 to 40 feet (6.1 to 12.2 m), and are between 8 and 10 feet (2.4 and 3.0 m) in diameter.[4] In 2009, there were 74 Whispering Giants,[3] with at least one in each of the 50 U.S. states, as well as in Ontario and Manitoba, Canada,[4] and one in Hungary.[5] One in Oregon was removed in 2017 after irreparable windstorm damage,[6] reducing the total to 73. In 1988, Toth completed his goal of placing at least one statue in each of the 50 states, by carving one in Hawaii, and in 2008, he created his first Whispering Giant in Europe, Stephen I of Hungary in Délegyháza,[7] Hungary along the Danube River.[5]

In 2009, eight more Whispering Giants were planned.[3]

The sculptures

(Update February 2, 2015) The Trail of the Whispering Giants is an ongoing project and much of the material here especially the chart below is out of date and too extensive to edit fully this article. A traveler, David Schumaker, went on a quest to identify all the Whispering Giant statues and has documented 57 existing statues and identified 12 that are now missing or destroyed since Peter Wolf Toth began this project in 1972. Schumaker has documented his information on the WEB site Peter Wolf Toth which has the most current information on the Whispering Giants and messages from the artist himself.[8]

The 74 Whispering Giants range from 15 to 40 feet (4.6 to 12.2 m) in height,[4] and all resemble natives of the region in which they are located. Toth always donates the Whispering Giant he creates to the town he carved it in, and never charges a fee for his time. He does require that the raw materials (a large log between 8 and 10 feet (2.4 and 3.0 m) in diameter) be provided, as well as lodging and living expenses.[4] The carvings have been appraised at a quarter of a million dollars each.[4]

Toth uses a hammer and a chisel as the basic tools to create the Whispering Giants, but on occasion will use a mallet and an axe, or rarely power tools.[9] Before starting work on a Whispering Giant, Toth confers with local Native American tribes and local lawmakers.[9] The sculpture that is created is a composite of all the physical characteristics, especially facial features, of the local tribe or tribes, as well as their stories and histories.[9] Toth dismisses the notion that the Whispering Giant sculptures are totem poles or represent Native American art, and has further stated that it would be inappropriate to carve totems because they were traditionally carved by Northwestern Indian tribes and had religious significance, where his carvings are intended as sculptures of Native American people.[10]

"I don't know a thing about carving totem poles, never made one nor expect to. My monument depicts an Indian, not copies of Indian art."[2]

— Peter Wolf Toth, 1974

Currently Peter Toth resides in Edgewater, Florida, where he has a small studio where he carves small wooden statues to raise money to create more Whispering Giants.[5] He travels around America to repair Whispering Giants he carved in the past that have not been kept up, as well as to carve new ones.[5] The latest Whispering Giant carved was in Vincennes, Indiana, in 2009 out of Black Oak, but there are still eight more statues planned to be built.[3]

Criticism

While Toth intends for his sculptures to be a tribute to Native Americans that honors the injustices Native Americans have experienced, some critics view the statues as inauthentic and being based on caricatures and stereotypes of Native Americans.[11] The statues are seen by some critics as anachronistic or racist. The columnist Maurice Switzer has condemned the statues as "ridiculous, offensive" and "lame-brained".[12]

The Trail

References

Bibliography

Notes

  1. ^ Toth p.5
  2. ^ a b Toth, Peter Wolf (1983). Indian Giver (3 ed.). Lincoln, Nebraska: Tribal Press. ISBN 0-960-7044-2-6. LCCN 81-90250.
  3. ^ a b c d e Tree trunk to become Tecumseh monument arrives in Vincennes Thursday, Courierpress.com. September 30, 2009. Accessed September 30, 2009
  4. ^ a b c d e Trail Leads to Ladysmith[dead link] Ladysmith Chronicle, September 14, 2009. Accessed October 10, 2009
  5. ^ a b c d e "Artist's statues honor Indians in all 50 states". Cape Coral Daily Breeze. April 5, 2009. Retrieved December 13, 2009.
  6. ^ a b Pursinger, Geoff (June 15, 2017). "No more Kno-Tah. Statue removed early Thursday morning from Shute Park". Hillsboro Tribune. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Peter Wolf Toth: Sculptures Honor Native Americans, a December 31, 2008 article from Magyar News Online
  8. ^ "Peter Wolf Toth".
  9. ^ a b c Stoical 25-year-old reminder of the honor due first peoples, The Boston Globe. August 24, 2008. Accessed December 6, 2009.
  10. ^ Fischer, Jr., William (July 23, 2018). "Chief Woapalanne - Created by Artist Peter Wolf Toth". Williamsport, Pennsylvania: The Historical Marker Database.
  11. ^ "North Bay's Nibiising sculpture found". North Bay Nugget. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
  12. ^ "Wooden Indians just don't cut it". North Bay Nugget. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
  13. ^ Toth p.55
  14. ^ David Schumaker. Missing Statues
  15. ^ Toth p.59
  16. ^ Toth p.68
  17. ^ a b Sculptor casts a GIANT SHADOW.Orlando Sentinel. September 14, 2005. Accessed November 17, 2009
  18. ^ Toth p.70
  19. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number GA000446
  20. ^ Toth p.73
  21. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number AL000264
  22. ^ Toth p.77
  23. ^ Toth p.82
  24. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number NY000873
  25. ^ "Giant protection".
  26. ^ Toth p.87
  27. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number WV000041
  28. ^ Toth p.90
  29. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number TN000231
  30. ^ Toth p.95
  31. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number 73261502
  32. ^ "Calostimucu's suffered enough". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 2007-03-18. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  33. ^ Toth p.101
  34. ^ Toth p.107
  35. ^ Toth p.112
  36. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number AR000344
  37. ^ "Riverfront Park". Riverfront Park: History Pavilion (Red Brick Pavilion)
  38. ^ Toth p.118
  39. ^ Toth p.123
  40. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number 87730027
  41. ^ Farewell, Whispering Giant
  42. ^ Toth p.129
  43. ^ "Peter Wolf Toth". www.dcschumaker.com. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  44. ^ Toth p.136
  45. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number MS000075
  46. ^ Toth p.145
  47. ^ a b Steelman, Ben (1 December 2005). "Sculptor undertakes giant task". Wilmington, North Carolina: Star-News. Retrieved 2016-06-08.
  48. ^ Toth p.150
  49. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number VA000201
  50. ^ Toth p.155
  51. ^ Toth p.159
  52. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number MD000432
  53. ^ Toth p.162
  54. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number DE000029
  55. ^ "Chief Little Owl, a tiki warrior-style totem pole at Bethany Beach, the southernmost Atlantic Coast beach town in the eastern state of Delaware. The 24-foot statue, a landmark since 1976, was created by sculptor Peter Wolf Toth as part of his "Trail of the Whispering Giants" project of more than 50 wooden sculptures of famous Indians donated at least one to every U.S. state and in some Canadian provinces". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  56. ^ Toth p.166
  57. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number SC000226
  58. ^ Behre, Robert (2005-11-01). "Sculptor to keep Indian in park standing proud". Spartanburg Herald Journal. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  59. ^ Toth p.168
  60. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number MO000021
  61. ^ "Peter "Wolf" Toth's Whispering Giants". Google My Maps. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  62. ^ "Whispering Giant Sculptures - A Waymarking.com Category". www.waymarking.com. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  63. ^ Hoffman, Brian (2015-11-26). "Random Walks in Time: Trail of the Whispering Giants: Tall Oak". Random Walks in Time. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  64. ^ a b "Sculptor Returns To Troy". News-Press NOW. 2010-11-16. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  65. ^ Toth p.172
  66. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number MN000342
  67. ^ Toth p.177
  68. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number WI000116
  69. ^ Toth p.187
  70. ^ Toth p.193
  71. ^ Toth p.196
  72. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number KS000486
  73. ^ Toth p.204
  74. ^ Toth p.205
  75. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number CO000512
  76. ^ Fleskes, Austin (2022-12-03). ""Redman" statue laid down after 43 years of standing tall in Loveland". The Denver Post. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  77. ^ Toth p.206
  78. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number MT000024
  79. ^ Toth p.207
  80. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number AZ000322
  81. ^ Toth p.208
  82. ^ Toth p.214
  83. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number NE000158
  84. ^ Toth p.215
  85. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number WY000053
  86. ^ Toth p.216
  87. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number ID000023
  88. ^ Toth p.217
  89. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number SD000050
  90. ^ Toth p.218
  91. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number ND000040
  92. ^ Toth p.219
  93. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number AK000201
  94. ^ Toth p.223
  95. ^ Peter Toth's Indian Sculpture Meets a Watery Grave Here, The Ogden Reporter. November 3, 1993. Accessed September 30, 2009.
  96. ^ Toth p.224
  97. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number RI000079
  98. ^ Toth p.227
  99. ^ Toth p.228
  100. ^ Toth p.231
  101. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number 87740251
  102. ^ Toth p.232
  103. ^ Wills, Matt, Burlington, Vermont - Toth Indian - Chief Grey Lock. Roadside America. September 11, 2009. Accessed December 12, 2009
  104. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number VT000033
  105. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number NH000283
  106. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number MA000063
  107. ^ "Head portion of a totem pole, honoring Omiskanoagwaiak, a medicine man of the Wolf People, outside Forest Park in Springfield, Massachusetts". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  108. ^ "A totem pole, honoring Omiskanoagwaiak, a medicine man of the Wolf People, outside Forest Park in Springfield, Massachusetts". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  109. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number KY000276
  110. ^ "Paducah's Giant Indian Sculpture 'Wacinton' Honors Chickasaw – PhotoNews247". 2017-10-06. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  111. ^ "Original Artist, Peter "Wolf" Toth, Travels to Paducah to Stabilize Wacinton". City of Paducah, Kentucky. 2016. Retrieved 2016-09-23.
  112. ^ "Rededication of Wacinton Sculpture Set for Sunday, August 21 at 3 p.m." City of Paducah, Kentucky. August 19, 2016. Retrieved 2016-09-23.
  113. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number OH000579
  114. ^ Schumaker, David (2015). "Peter Wolf Toth: Statue #52 Murray, Utah". David Schumaker. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  115. ^ Merrill, Dawn (30 January 2010). "Utah: Chief Wasatch - Peter Toth Carving". Roadsideamerica.com. Retrieved 2016-06-08.
  116. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number NV000190
  117. ^ Schumaker, David (2015). "Peter Wolf Toth: Statue #54 Las Cruces, New Mexico". David Schumaker. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  118. ^ Junaluska - Trail of Whispering Giants (Dedication plaque affixed to the sculpture). Johnson City, Tennessee. 2016.
  119. ^ Fuller, Jessica (2018-10-22). "Renowned sculptor returns to Johnson City to repair 32-year-old piece". Johnson City Press. Retrieved 2018-10-24.
  120. ^ Schumaker, David (2015). "Peter Wolf Toth: Statue #56 Hillsboro, Oregon". David Schumaker. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  121. ^ a b Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number OR000243
  122. ^ "Festivities to greet 'Whispering Giant' at park in Hillsboro". The Oregonian. September 24, 1987. p. W1.
  123. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number OR000224
  124. ^ a b "One of more than 70 "Whispering Giants" wooden sculptures, sculptures by Hungarian-born artist Peter Wolf Toth found in every U.S. state, Canada, Hungary, and elsewhere. This one, in Astoria, Oregon, made of cedar, stands 18 feet tall". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  125. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number HI000012
  126. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number MI000390
  127. ^ Schumaker, David (2015). "Peter Wolf Toth: Statue #60 North Bay, Ontario, Canada". David Schumaker. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  128. ^ Schumaker, David (2015). "Peter Wolf Toth: Statue #61 Ottawa, Illinois". David Schumaker. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  129. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number IL000334
  130. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number NC000280
  131. ^ "Statue of the Cherokee leader Sequoyah, Cherokee, North Carolina". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  132. ^ Schumaker, David (2015). "Peter Wolf Toth: Statue #64 Concord, North Carolina". David Schumaker. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  133. ^ "Mount Pleasant, North Carolina: Buffalo Ranch (Gone)". RoadsideAmerica.com. 2016. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  134. ^ Schumaker, David (2015). "Peter Wolf Toth: Statue #65 Williamsport, Pennsylvania". David Schumaker. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  135. ^ Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Control Number PA001493
  136. ^ Williamsport, Pennsylvania: Chief Woapalanne Statue, Roadside America website. Accessed 1 March 2024.
  137. ^ Trail of Whispering Giants (pamphlet). Edgewater, Florida: Peter Wolf Toth - Home Studio Museum Art World Gallery. 2008.
  138. ^ Way Marking.com
  139. ^ Schumaker, David (2015). "Peter Wolf Toth: Statue #68 Iowa Falls, Iowa". David Schumaker. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  140. ^ Schumaker, David (2015). "Original Iowa Falls statue #28". David Schumaker. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  141. ^ Schumaker, David (2015). "Peter Wolf Toth: Statue #69 Bethany Beach, Delaware". David Schumaker. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  142. ^ Schumaker, David (2015). "Original Bethany Beach statue #22". David Schumaker. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  143. ^ Schumaker, David (2015). "Peter Wolf Toth: Statue #70 Colquitt, Georgia". David Schumaker. Retrieved 2016-06-08.
  144. ^ Schumaker, David (2015). "Original Colquitt, Georgia statue #4". David Schumaker. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  145. ^ Schumaker, David (2015). "Peter Wolf Toth: Statue #71 Buckhead, North Carolina". David Schumaker. Retrieved 2016-06-08.
  146. ^ Schumaker, David (2015). "Peter Wolf Toth: Statue #72 Whiteville, North Carolina". David Schumaker. Retrieved 2016-06-08.

External links