Tikitotmoniki Totems, Contemporary art installation in Pearl District, Portland, United States.
Tikitotmoniki Totems are four painted metal sculptures standing about 30 feet high at Jamison Square, featuring dynamic and organic forms. They serve double duty as support poles for the Portland Streetcar overhead wire system.
The Pearl Arts Foundation commissioned artist Kenny Scharf to create these four totems, which were completed and installed in 2001. This work arrived during a period of artistic renewal in the Pearl District.
The sculptures blend Pacific Northwest artistic traditions with modern interpretations of South Pacific and Alaskan totem designs. You can see this cultural fusion in the painted surfaces and flowing shapes that draw from multiple traditions.
The sculptures are located on a public square and easy to see from all angles without barriers. You can visit the site at any time, as the artworks remain permanently in place.
The totems were specifically designed to function as structural elements of the streetcar infrastructure, not merely as standalone art. This practical integration makes them a rare example of art that also serves necessary city functions.
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