“The exhibition is important because it shows the general population the influences that South American culture has on our society, whether we realize it or not,” Roberts said.
The Year of Peru exhibit is student based. It features students’ pieces from Professor Deborah Hutchinson’s small metals class. The exhibit is being run and curated by Art History Professor Dr. Jessica Stephenson’s interns.
It will be located on the 2nd floor of Willingham Hall in the IGI Gallery from March 1 – 31. The art from the show consists of artist interpretation of Inca minatures and khipus, as well as, traditional perspectives on these
art objects.
The Inca people used textiles, shells, gold, silver, and stone to create miniature people, animals, pottery, plants, and musical instruments. They created miniature versions of the world to take on a creator role and exercise the human need to dominate and control order.
Examples of their work include anything from a half inch metal llama to a 13 foot replica of a mountain.
The khipus used touch as their reading tool, similar to braille, where they use a cord and knot system that is complex.
They also use a visual system, containing composition, color and the direction of spin on the string to encode information. The look and feel of the khipus and can be interpreted as jewelry where it can commerate important events. Students use this form of interpretation throughout the show. Gabby Roberts, a curatorial intern, said, “As students we take what we learn when we go out in society to influence the world around us.”
The works in this exhibit were created by students who studied traditional works, and understand the techniques of knotting a khipu and casting a metal miniature.
“The exhibition is important because it shows the general population the influences that South American culture has on our society, whether we realize it or not,” Roberts said.
The art show is one of pride, ethnicity, tradition and appreciation for Peruvian art. The exhibit offers students the opportunity to expand their knowledge on foreign art that has impacted artwork in today’s society.
“Peru and our cultural ties to South America, and the world in general, are a part
of what we learn here at KSU. We learn to expand our diversity and this show is one more way of experiencing that,” Roberts said.
The art show demonstrates students’ initiative to bring awareness to methods
of Inca communication through their artwork. The exhibit is free to the public and the opening reception is March 1 at 6pm.
