Kokopelli Ceremonies [Hardcover]

Stephen W. Hill (Author), Robert B. Montoya (Author, Illustrator)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Kiva Pub Inc; First Edition edition (January 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 188577205X
• ISBN-13: 978-1885772053
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 10.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,933,842 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hill and Montoya Draw Upon the Universal Appeal of Kokopelli, December 29, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Salt Lake City, UT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kokopelli Ceremonies (Hardcover)

The figure of Kokopelli is found chipped into desert stone at various ancient sites throughout the American Southwest. It also appears in contemporary forms, painted on canvas, etched into glassware, printed on Christmas cards, and sculpted into candelabra, in presentations that range from the holy to the kitschy. What energizes the frequent appearances of the enigmatic hunchbacked flute player? The authors suggest that the centuries-old drawing power of this archetypal figure may lie in both its protean nature and its spiritual origins.

Hill acquaints the reader with images of Kokopelli as hunter, warrior, healer, gambler, fertility bringer, and even mythological insect who appears in some Native American accounts of the Creation, by presenting a broad review of the available literature on the topic. Wisely, he presents Kokopelli's multiple manifestations without seeking to narrow them to a definitive representation that would deny the complexity of the image. His smart narrative contains a mine of information that yields a pocketful of nice nuggets with each perusal; and his readable style turns them up without a lot of digging.

In stunning visual images that complement the text, Montoya presents Kokopelli as an avatar figure who both generously offers and thankfully celebrates the receipt of the gifts of a bountiful earth. To Hill's scholarly analysis, Montoya adds the cultural insights of one steeped in the kind of ceremonialism from which Kokopelli likely first emerged, and the imagination of a skilled contemporary artist. Their collaboration is a complimentary one in which the text illuminates the paintings, and the visual images add an intuitive content that transcends the text.

Hill is frank about his intention to produce a hybrid text that is concurrently an art book, a study of Native American spiritual beliefs, and a review of Kokopelli literature. The challenge in such an undertaking is to do it seamlessly. How that challenge was met produced my only caveat, and a small one considering the ambitious nature of the project. The book's divisions make it seem a bit episodic, particularly the insertion of a short chapter by art critic James Bialac that might better have been placed in an appendix. At the same time, the holistic approach to the book's subject matter is an essential part of what makes it original and interesting. Hill and Montoya have added an important spiritual component to an art/cultural study without becoming simplistic or sappy, a laudable achievement.

Kokopelli Ceremonies provides some satisfying depth in an area in which much of the available material only skims the surface. Although the book is brief, it contains a well-selected bibliography for those readers who wish to further pursue the elusive Kokopelli through the avenue of cultural studies. For the text-challenged and those who prefer to see beyond black and white, sixteen gorgeous color plates provide a visual feast. Leave Kokopelli Ceremonies out where you can reach for it often--you'll probably make frequent journeys following the elusive notes of the ancient pied piper.

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique..., June 8, 2008

By 

Arcturus70 "Arcturus70" (In the Orion Spur of the Milky Way Galaxy) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kokopelli Ceremonies (Paperback)

I purchased this based on what the other reviewers were saying about it, and each of their reviews appear to be spot on for what they are describing about the book. This is the kind of book that one has to visit several time to gain full appreciation for its content and messages. It is an intellectual as well as a visual pursuit.

The book's text and design are quiet nice, so it is a comfortable as well as informative read. Eyeglass wearers should have no trouble reading the passages or studying the images, which are all clearly rendered and well-spaced. I like the little dancing Kokopelli decorative bars at the top of each primary page. They give the book a sprinkle of light-hearted joy and sense of movement.

Kokopelli Ceremonies contains the following sections:

Introduction: Discusses the author's inspirations for his book and his passion for the "archetypal" ancient flute player, a trickster hero that captures humanity--even today.

Wellsprings of Creativity: Discusses the author's views about the creative human urge, Western culture, and Native American Art. He also ponders the vast appeal of Native American themes.

The Enigma of Kokopelli: Discusses the universal recognition of the flute-player in various cultures and his possible interpretations. The author describes Kokopelli's roles as a trader, gambler, minstrel, hunter, warrior, god, priest, sacred musician, medicine man, insect, fertility symbol, and petroglyphic cultural sign.

Robert Montoya, Pueblo Painter: Introduces the artist, his background and his influences. The author discusses his own collection of the artist's efforts.

Spirituality in the Painting of Robert B. Montoya: Discusses the artist's works and favored themes. The section includes some interesting images like "Deer Night Sky" and "Emergence from Blue Lake." My favorite piece from this section is "We See Yet Do Not Understand," which depicts humanity's search for cosmic understanding, spiritual growth, universal connections, balance, and harmony. I love the rain bird pottery bowl that is in the center of this image and the ladder that stretches to the heavens. Actually, the more you look into this image, the more you can see and feel. [This painting could be the foundation an interesting class discussion in a college humanities and / or psychology class.]

Kokopelli Ceremonies: Offers an interesting collection of pictures to ponder and guiding commentary to consider. My favorites are "Kokopell's Sunrise Song," Kokopelli's Gift to the Sun," "Kokopelli's Sacred Prayers," and "Arrow Priest."

A Kokopelli Bibliography: Offers a huge selection of resources for further exploration.

About the Author & About the Illustrator: More information about this book and its creators.

Overall, I am pleased with the book. The experience of it is refreshing, and I will definitely keep it in my library for future gazing and enjoyment.

3 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An art critic's comparison., October 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Kokopelli Ceremonies (Paperback)

This really is an art critic's comparison and "theoretical development of a character" type of book. It is about Kokopelli and how a particular artist sees his use in ceremonial art of the past. It contains excellent illustrations in color. .