The Stelae in the Duality Mask
Technique: emery and dremel.
The fundamental philosophical principle of the Pre-Hispanic thought "Life-Death Duality" based on an interpretation of ancient Mexico is brought to life in one piece that combines obsidian with the iconographic handling of "The Face of life and death". This Pre-Hispanic dual metaphysical concept has its historical background in Tlatilco in the State of Mexico during the Preclassical period (1200-400 BC).
The artwork expresses in a two-sided mask the existence and death of man and transmits "The Life-Death Duality" that permeated the daily occurrence of the man of ancient Mexico with emblematic figures of Pre-Hispanic cultures: Maya, Teotihuacana and Mexica.
As an ornament of the mask, some Pre-Hispanic animals appear as testimonies of the dual character of the pre-Hispanic worldview. For its part, the papálotl butterfly was associated with fire, because it was believed that these insects were the soulmates of warriors killed in battle or sacrifice, who after accompanying the sun for four years, became butterflies.
Also, turtles appear as they were linked to water among the Mexicas and Mayans. The shell was used as a musical instrument to imitate the sound produced by the rays that preceded the rain. The Mexicas considered them patrons of births, and for the Mayans, their shell described the circular shape of the earth. A snake was included, identified as a cóatl for the Mexicas and for the Mayans Caan. According to both pre-Hispanic cosmogonies, this reptile was linked to the earth and the sky, living in a dual astral plane. Finally, it is important to highlight the use of stepped frets to artistically delineate the corners of both faces of the sculpture.
Overall, the iconography describes the complex Mesoamerican worldview of the opposing forces of the universe to give continuity to the life of Pre-Hispanic man, through the renewal and destruction of nature. The attributes of some deities were antagonistic to strengthen their contradictory dual power, which, by joining, managed to establish a perfect and absolute balance.
If you would like to know more about the symbolism description of the stelae in this artwork please do not hesitate to contact us on info@ocaso-arte-mexicano.com