Lika Mutal, a Dutch artist who has been living in Peru for around 30 years (I forget the exact number) made this piece. Speaking to her about her spiritual connection to the stone in the center (I'll try and upload a picture when I get home) was really fascinating. "The Eye that Cries" was her combination of an artistic response and a memeorial to the victims of the Shining Path, a period of extreme violence between communist groups and the government. In the center is a large stone cradling a smaller stone, from which behind water flows gently. Surrounding the larger stone is a labyrinth of smaller stones representing each victim (most have names, but many do not to represent the unanymous victims). Visiting the memorial is very ritualistic, each visitor takes offerings to give to the stones that they are touched by (we had corn, animal crackers, flowers, etc). For Lika, and many of our classmates, you could begin to feel and remember the spirits of victims in passing through the memorial. I've never been through a space like it--thanks Jamie for putting those pics up!!
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Lika Mutal, a Dutch artist who has been living in Peru for around 30 years (I forget the exact number) made this piece. Speaking to her about her spiritual connection to the stone in the center (I'll try and upload a picture when I get home) was really fascinating. "The Eye that Cries" was her combination of an artistic response and a memeorial to the victims of the Shining Path, a period of extreme violence between communist groups and the government. In the center is a large stone cradling a smaller stone, from which behind water flows gently. Surrounding the larger stone is a labyrinth of smaller stones representing each victim (most have names, but many do not to represent the unanymous victims). Visiting the memorial is very ritualistic, each visitor takes offerings to give to the stones that they are touched by (we had corn, animal crackers, flowers, etc). For Lika, and many of our classmates, you could begin to feel and remember the spirits of victims in passing through the memorial. I've never been through a space like it--thanks Jamie for putting those pics up!!
Posted by: Aralene Callahan | February 12, 2007 11:39 AM