Provocative art about Indians

Artist Jack Daws is an all-American troublemakerA replica of Michelangelo's "David" stands on an American flag with a loaded Uzi slung over his shoulder and an Israeli flag as his shawl. Is David now Goliath?

The artist isn't saying, nor is he interested in clearing up the controversy that surrounded his "Indian Flasks" decorated with Northwest Coast Native bear, eagle and raven decals.

Although the Stranger's art director wanted to put one on the newspaper's cover in 2005, editor Dan Savage said no. "What's it saying?" he asked rhetorically. "Injuns are drunks."

American Indian writer and filmmaker Sherman Alexie said Savage made the right call and added, "Why didn't Daws put the decals on a casino chip? Why not do something new?"

Oh, the flasks are new. They put their fingers in a wound and widen it. Are they art? Is Duchamp's urinal a sculpture?

Daws took Alexie's advice, after a fashion. His "Indian Dice" in red cedar and acrylic paint are winners for the Indians. Any way the dice roll, they come up sevens for the house.