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BACKGROUND IMAGE:
Geoglyphe. Nasza, Péru.
Photo: Alfonso Casabonne.
RIGHT: Textile, kelim.
Nazca-Wari, Peru.
AD 650–850.
Camelid wool, cotton, dye. L: 409 cm.
Museo de Arte de Lima, Pardo
memorial donation.
BELOW: Vase. Nazca, Peru.
200 BC–AD 650.
Terracotta, pigment. H: 7.3 cm.
Museo de Arte de Lima, Pardo
memorial donation.
BELOW: Stirrup vase. Nazca,
Peru.
200 BC–AD 650.
Terracotta, pigment. H: 12.3 cm.
Museo de Arte de Lima, Pardo
memorial donation.
Nazca
LIMA—The Museo de Arte is hosting an interactive exhibition
on the Nazca civilization until October 1, 2017.
Since it was discovered at the beginning of the twentieth
century, this pre-Inca people of southern Peru has fascinated
the world. They thrived between 200 BC and AD
600 in the region between the Andean Cordillera and
the Pacifi c Ocean. Its geoglyphs, aqueducts, textiles, and
elaborate polychrome ceramics have riveted the attention
of archaeologists. Nazca, Under the Sign of the Gods
traces this people’s history and reveals their way of life
and the challenges of survival in the region, as well as
the techniques they used to create their art, the rituals of
their funerary rites, and their mythology. The 300 objects
on display include a group of fi ve hitherto unseen textiles
discovered by archaeologist Giuseppe Orefi ci at Cahuachi,
a major Nazca ceremonial center.
Not surprisingly, part of the exhibition is devoted to
the astonishing geoglyphs of Palpa and Nazca. These immense
drawings etched into the earth apparently played
an important role in rain-making rituals in this semi-arid
region. Even today, the mysteries surrounding them
arouse debate. The exhibition concludes with an examination
of the work of artist Elena Izcue, revealing the infl
uences that Pre-Colombian textiles have had on modern
art and ceramics.
This event is the result of a partnership with the Museum
Rietberg in Zurich, Switzerland, where it will be seen
beginning on November 24, 2017. After that, it will be
presented at the Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn, Germany.
BELOW: Textile, kelim.
Nazca-Wari, Peru.
AD 650–850.
Camelid fi ber, cotton, dye. H: 31 cm.
Museo de Arte de Lima, Pardo
memorial donation.
ABOVE: Vase. Nazca, Peru.
200 BC–AD 650.
Terracotta, pigment. H: 19.5 cm.
Museo de Arte de Lima, Pardo
memorial donation.