Palmetto Luna Arts will participate in the next First Thursdays on Main Street on June 2, 2014 at 7 PM by creating a representation of Quetzalcoatl –The Feathered Serpent Aztec God. The initiative includes three professional artist, collaborating to complete the head of the snake, and audience participation to form the slithering body of the Aztec god.
Quetzalcoatl, is one of the most iconic deities of Mesoamerican civilizations. The origin of his name comes from the Nahuatl and means “Quetzal”: a bird of beautiful plumage and “Coatl”, which means snake, resulting in what is commonly known as “The Feathered Serpent.”
“Quetzalcoatl is a very powerful icon in pre-Hispanic culture” says Ivan Segura, Executive Director of Palmetto Luna Arts. “He is considered a man, a deity, a priest, a myth or a legend. And he was related to gods of the wind, of Venus, of the dawn, of merchants and of arts, crafts and knowledge.”
During this initiative, Palmetto Luna Arts will be inviting individuals attending the First Thursdays on Main Street to participate artistically in creating the body of the snake. “The cult of Quetzalcoatl transcended among ancient cultures in Mexico and Central America” Said Ivan Segura “This made communications and trade possible among individuals of different social and ethnic backgrounds. This time, we want this Quetzalcoatl to help us bring together the different communities in South Carolina to collaborate artistically.”
Quetzalcoatl at First Thursdays on Main Street is part of Palmetto Luna’s Latino Arts in Motion initiative and has the support of the SC Arts Commission, ONE Columbia and the Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties, which . To learn more, please visit: www.palmettoluna.org or facebook.com/palmettoluna.