Wednesday, June 16, 2010

The Moose Myth


The Moose Myth

There is a story told of twin moose brothers, each robust and noble, who shared the Northern Kingdom. One fine day they met in a glade and neither would yield. They charged and impacted with a resounding crash of angry power. In the ensuing battle they entangled antlers in a death lock. Unable to separate, they continued to battle. After days of throwing their enmeshed antlers and bodies about, unable to eat or drink, exhausted, they were on the brink of death. A small child came upon the feuding but now feeble twins and offered to free them, but only if they would promise to live in peace. They thankfully accepted the offer.

Freed, the twins stood on two feet in honor of their human friend and lived their lives striving to solve conflicts with negotiation and compromise. They agreed that one would live by the sea and rule over the Portsmouth waterfront and all the bridges and seaways linking NH to the world. The other mighty moose would rule inland, near the confluence of the Nashua and Merrimack Rivers, majestically protecting the vital and diverse city of Nashua.

Two sculptures celebrate this myth:

Moose Myth Nashua
Bicentennial Park
66 Main Street
Nashua NH

Moose Myth Portsmouth
Market Square
Portsmouth NH

By Donna Dodson & Andy Moerlein

*Update: Foster's Daily Democrat and The Daily Portsmouth covered this piece.

2 comments:

Lisa P. Oswald said...

Donna, I happened upon Moose Myth in Portsmouth, NH last Thursday and immediately recognized it as a "Dodson." Having just read the story behind it now, it is an even more astounding piece. Congratulations.

Lisa P. Oswald

Donna Dodson said...

Thank you, Lisa! It is a team built piece by The Myth Makers, aka Andy Moerlein and I. Currently, this sculpture lives in downtown Concord New Hampshire on Main st in front of the Smile Building. For more information on our team built projects, visit www.themythmakers.blogspot.com.