Taira, the dawn of art in Atacama – 2017
Llama nursing her offspring, Panel XI.
“Clothed humanity”, detail of the figure on Panel XI.
Photographic sequence of the central panel of Alero Taira on the day of the summer solstice. In the second shot, note how the sun “marks” the belly of one of the llamas.
Photographic sequence of the central panel of Alero Taira on the day of the summer solstice. In the second shot, note how the sun “marks” the belly of one of the llamas.
Photographic sequence of the central panel of Alero Taira on the day of the summer solstice. In the second shot, note how the sun “marks” the belly of one of the llamas.
Descending from the heavens
In Taira, a llama gives milk to her offspring, just as Yakana does in the heavens. Underneath her, humanity appears clothed—the wool has become abundant like the grass that grows around the springs.
During the summer solstice, when the llamas begin to give birth to their offspring, the light and shadow on the Taira panels produce a unique display that occurs only at this time of year. The sun projects a shadow onto one of the llamas, marking the line of its womb as though it had impregnated her. Thus the birth of llamas on land also appears to be linked to the heavens.