"This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affectations glow and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn."


Sunday, February 20, 2011

The Olmec - A Mystery in Mexico - and Now, at the de Young

Our newest exhibit, "Olmec: Colossal Masterworks of Ancient Mexico,"   opened yesterday at the de Young.   In our Volunteer Bulletin, it seemed a far cry from the "Art" that speaks to me.....  but today, before my early morning shift, as I wandered through the exhibit by myself, I felt curously drawn to the figures and the "magical" power that emantes from them.The pieces are displayed in an uncluttered way - letting you savour the enormity of the figures.  At the entrance to the exhibition hangs a photo mural of archaeologists contemplating an immense stone head unearthed at a rain forest site. The picture appears posed, but it conveys awe and bafflement on the excavators' part, nicely presaging the visitor's experience of the exhibition.

I was delighted to find not only heroic male figures, resplendent with, resplendent with breastplates, but fantastical creatures.. like this little fellow above.... and this "Cat" below.  These figures were created in 1,200 B.C.!

Love the teeth and paws!

 We do know the people did not call themselves "Olmec," a Nahuatl word that denotes dwellers of the rubber-producing region. Nothing of their own language survives, except perhaps in the still-undeciphered glyphs adorning items such as the stone "celts". Their geographical region was the Southern part of Mexico....their time from 1200 - 400 B.C.




An Olmec Woman...  and a complete, upright figure! (A rareity in the exhibit - as you can imagine, many of the figures are missing parts.)



Here, you can see the scope of an Olmec head, in the site where it was discovered.  I can only begin to imagine the excitement of the Archeologists's who stumbled onto this!


Here, if you look closely, you can see a profile carbed in jadeite.  There were quite a few pieces done in this material - still bright, clear and shining.



I love this group of small figures, all done in obsidian and granite, circling around the one figure in limestone. The columns remind me of Stonehedge...
Are they threatening him?  Worshipping him?


An Olmec baby - complete with his ball! 

I was completely entranced with these figures....in fact, I found my hand reaching out, wanting to to touch them....( a real "no-no" - especially for a staff member)!  But there seemed to be a sort of "power" still emanating from them.  The Olmec vanished into history around 400 B.C.  - no one know why.

Two of my favourite pieces - a Jaguar and a truly unusual giant had which was smiling....were impossible for me to capture.  Perhaps in time.  (This exhibit runs until May.)

Here's a great video to show how some of these heads were actually discovered!  I hope you enjoy my little preview!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

10 comments:

  1. I know what you mean about power still emenating from these ancient pieces. And isn't it amazing that these were done circa 400 bc???

    You always bring interesting visions and history to your posts dear LS. I don't think I've heard of the Olmec people. Thank you for enlightening me ;)

    We'll talk soon, my dear!

    xoxox
    Bs♥♥♥

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  2. wow robin, this is fascinating. you've done a great job with your commentary. the size of that head startled me, and the group of figures together, aka stonehenge in the background, is so intriquing. that you felt the energy is pretty telling.

    thank you. i enjoyed this thoroughly.

    love
    kj

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  3. Wow, that Olmec head is bigger than Sarah Palin's. (just kiddin' Sarah, don't set Todd on me)

    Oh, and Happy Presidents Pets Day - the day after Presidents Day, as I like to call it. In the US, we love our presidents..... pets. See my blog if you’re in the mood for a good ol' irreverent howl.

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  4. these objects are fascinating but especially the group standing around the one figure with the pillars in the background -- i have never seen anything like that - remarkable. it does look like stonehenge!!

    what a great exhibit -- thank you robin for this private docent tour!!

    xxx

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  5. just wonderful. i love figures and artifacts like this and to me there is much power emanating from old things. My dad had many books of ancient findings such as these and i love looking through the few i now have. thanks Robin. it's like a trip to the museum!

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  6. Just a little stop to tell you I love you and that things are so convoluted around here between freezing and all the pre-op tests, trying to save the plants, and preparing for surgery next week is taking all of my time. But you are always present in my life and in my heart. Love from both of us, always.

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  7. Lo, KJ - so pleased you liked my "tour"....it really is a compelling exhibit.

    Love to both,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  8. Nick..hello... I did check out your post on President's Pets! It WAS funny (and irreverent)! I must say - Socks was my very FAVOURITE White House Pet! Meow!

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  9. Amanda, you are so right! Although these figures are so tiny in comparision to the large heads.....they were awesome.....almost frightening in their power!

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  10. Suki - you were in my mind when I saw the exhibit - just had an inkling you would enjoy this! There is also another large head that is smiling.... I searched and couldn't find a photo...... but will keep hunting!

    Love to you and Bibs,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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