The Bell Keepers
Alameda, New Mexico
bruce papitto
"The Bell Keepers" was created for the
Alameda Open Space Park in Alameda, New
Mexico (just north of Albuquerque). The park
is situated on the Rio Grande River. In former
times the river would flood the area
seasonally, often severely. A number of adobe
churches were lost over the generations.
Alameda Open Space Park in Alameda, New
Mexico (just north of Albuquerque). The park
is situated on the Rio Grande River. In former
times the river would flood the area
seasonally, often severely. A number of adobe
churches were lost over the generations.
I imagined the scene of one such loss during
spanish colonial times and depicted that,
dramatically, here in my sculpture. We see a
padre and a citizen of Alameda. Having just
rescued the bell from their flooded church,
they have tied it to a tree bough and carry it
through the flood waters... to safety.
spanish colonial times and depicted that,
dramatically, here in my sculpture. We see a
padre and a citizen of Alameda. Having just
rescued the bell from their flooded church,
they have tied it to a tree bough and carry it
through the flood waters... to safety.
Preparatory 1:3 Scale Model