Water Prayer
On the Santa Fe Plaza - A Blessing for Our Future
Desert dwellers have prevailed upon their gods for the blessing of abundant moisture, necessary for survival, since the dawn of humanity.
Northern New Mexican sculptor Douglas Coffin has created a 21st century monument capturing the essence of a universal plea for water.
The installation is intended to grace the historic Santa Fe Plaza and endow it with the ancient, yet modern, spirit of supplication for this vital resource.
“Water Prayer is the embodiment of a powerful idea originated by sculptor Douglas Coffin. It is an iconic form, one that speaks to the hopes and dreams of all of New Mexico’s cultures. What a terrifically fitting statement it would be to have such an impressive monument standing at the literal and metaphorical center of our extraordinary city.” —Hampton Sides, Santa Fe historian and acclaimed author of Blood and Thunder, On Desperate Ground, and other best-selling histories.
Artist’s conception of the Water Prayer installation at Santa Fe’s historic Plaza: The polished stainless steel Water Prayer sculpture features a statuesque human form—representing all of humanity—oriented toward the rising sun. The fifteen-foot-tall figure’s face is upturned toward the sky, interceding for everyone, praying for life-sustaining water. The post-Civil War Memorial Obelisk, which has stood on Santa Fe’s Plaza since 1868, will front Water Prayer to the east. The Obelisk will be encased in transparent media and possibly lie embedded in the earth for observation and reflection. Located between the Obelisk and Water Prayer will be a receptacle for actual prayers and other written messages.
The Water Prayer installation could be enhanced by including hand-of-man and dragonfly motifs on the base. These would symbolize the hand that stretches forth toward a higher power, seeking Divine blessing, and aquatic creatures dependent upon clean water. Poems could be inscribed upon the base, contributed from the three most prevalent groups residing in Santa Fe and its surrounding communities: Hispanic, Native American and Anglo. The sounds of sweet summer rains, thunderous rain storms, and tricking streams can be included for atmosphere. And a dynamic spray of gratitude water could herald the return of precious summer monsoons!
Water Prayer is envisioned to be a fifteen-foot-tall polished stainless steel sculpture representing the spiritual essence of all life forms. The installation could include bronze hand-of-man and dragonfly motifs, inscribed upon its base, as well as poems contributed by the prevalent groups residing in Santa Fe and its environs. Sounds of rainfall, flowing water and thunder storms could complete its dramatic effect.
Photo: Lee Clockman
Douglas Coffin is a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture. He creates both representational and abstract works of high art. His pieces have graced distinguished global venues including the Grand Palais in Paris, France and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. Coffin says, “I created Water Prayer to represent the essence of all humans on this planet—all genders, all races—and their need for water. It is a vigilant reminder of the necessity of water to sustain life in the desert.
Photo: Mark Berndt