LACMA Explores the Ancient City of Teotihuacan

[Judi Lynn]

On view from March 25 through July 15, "City and Cosmos: The Arts of Teotihuacan" will feature nearly 200 artifacts, some of which have never before been showcased in the United States.
By AYDA AYOUBI



Jorge Peréz de Lara Elías/INAH
"Figurine," Teotihuacan, Mexico, ceramic and pigments

An upcoming exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) explores the ancient Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacan that is located near Mexico City, and seeks to find out "how the city worked to create a cohesive civic identity," according to a press release. The show will feature nearly 200 artifacts, some of which have been excavated in the last few years, including sculptures, mural paintings, buried offerings, and objects made of volcanic stones and ceramics. The show will also explore the ancient city's main architectural elements, including three pyramids—Sun, Moon, and Feathered Serpent—residential compounds, and administrative centers. Dubbed "City and Cosmos: The Arts of Teotihuacan," the new exhibition will be on view from March 25 to July 15.



Jorge Peréz de Lara Elías/INAH
"Incensario" (incense burner), Teotihuacan, Mexico, ceramic, mica,
and mineral pigments



Jorge Peréz de Lara Elías/INAH
"Figurine," Teotihuacan, Mexico, ceramic and pigments

More:
http://www.architectmagazine.com/design/exhibits-books-etc/lacma-explores-the-ancient-city-of-teotihuacan_o

and:

http://www.lacma.org/sites/default/files/Teotihuacan-press%20release-2.12.18.pdf

[dhill926]

1. Might have to go see this...

thanks for the info.

[Upthevibe]

2. I'll need to add this to my list. I'm going to see the King Tut exhibition

at the Science Center..This one looks good too...

[TlalocW]

3. I've been to Teotihuacan twice

Once in high school and once in college. Both times, very memorable.

The first time was on an interchange with students in Puebla, Mexico. They came to my town and stayed with local families for two weeks then we did the same. The day we went was a federal/government holiday and an important day in the Aztec calendar (Teotihuacan is not Aztec, but it inspired them). So the place was packed with families have an outing along with Aztec performers - both dance groups and voladores (look for a video on YouTube) as well as many, many members of a new age cult who stood on some of the smaller pyramids trying to leech whatever mystic powers they could. The staircase to the Pyramid of the Sun was impossible to climb because of how many people were on it so another student and I climbed the walls to the top. Fortunately, there were plenty of rocks jutting out that made for excellent hand and footholds.

The second time was the complete opposite of the first time. Overcast instead of sunny, and only one other group of Americans in the whole park. We were beset pretty hard by the trinket sellers, but eventually they left us alone. We all climbed the Pyramid of the Sun (stairs his time), and I went up the Pyramid of the Moon, which was much scarier, especially coming down. Not as high as the Sun but much steeper, and the steps much narrower. I came in a sitting position, lowering my butt onto each descending step. Very quiet, and if I were that type of person, I would say almost mystical.

TlalocW