Perhaps you might think that the Taino art is quite out of the prevailing West worldview. Nothing could be more wrong, as the reasons that inspired this ancient culture are reflected in thousands of objects, paintings and various views that can be found in any European market. Without knowing its origin, Taino art relates to stylized forms following trident, lines and circles, as well as, complex representations of fauna, CEMIS or local deities. Of course, originally, this artistic expression was not so simple and its expressive complexity was connected to the spiritual richness of the Taino people, which is now the main protagonist in the exhibition scheduled by the Valencian Institute of Modern Art (IVAM, for its abbreviation in Spanish) from the 24th of January to the 22nd of April. Visit the official website (http://www.ivam.es/exposiciones/2871-coleccin-tesoros-del-arte-tano) where you can find practical information of the exhibition. Note that in the Spanish language, words such as “maíz”, “barbacoa”, and cacique “o” canoa are direct loans from the Amerindian people.
But who were are Taino people? Where did they live? What were their beliefs? The Tainos were originated in Venezuela from where they spread throughout the islands of the Caribbean, leaving the last stronghold in what is now the Dominican Republic (in fact the Odebrecht Foundation of the Center of Leon sponsored the exhibition of art in that country). Although there is widespread belief, that this ethnic group was exterminated by the Hispanic colonization troops, recent scientific studies carried out, show that the Central American people have undergone a major process of miscegenation. Without going into this aspect, the ancient pre-Columbian culture, related, apparently to the Mayans developed a rich artistic expression, especially focusing on the sculpture ritual, which is now being exposed at IVAM Valencia.
The Tainos, believed in one god, called “Ya-Ya”, who was the creator of all material and intangible. They based their spirituality (in an ironic conceptual twist) in many rituals rooted in animism. They paid tribute to the souls of the dead and asked, like all ancient peoples, for the prosperity of the harvest, hunting and fishing. They put such an emphasis on procreation cacique elites (Taino word), that they practiced polygamy in order to ensure a prosperous offspring. In this sense, we have received numerous sculptures in which the male genitals are clearly visible, symbolizing the power of genetic perpetuation. Although it was also used wood, most of the rituals sculptures are preserved (The stars of the exhibition), which were made with hard or very hard stones, sometimes, using the contours characteristic of the mineral to create figures. Undoubtedly, the IVAM exhibition is a unique opportunity to learn about an exotic and distant culture for the general public.
Candela Vizcaíno
This beautiful Mediterranean city, offers visitors a wide variety of entertainment options, which include this interesting collection of art. Remember, to book apartments in Valencia in advance. There is a place for all tastes and needs in Valencia.
February 17th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
From 24/01 to 22/04 at the @IVAMonline of #Valencia an interesting exhibition of Taino #art #museum http://t.co/wlm8RkeT