exploring the Maya

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

michaelchristopher — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 03:21:33 GMT

My opportunity to travel into the highlands of Guatemala, and ultimately Honduras, commenced with study at Southern Methodist University. I decided to study Maya art history: this decision proved personally profound. Firstly, the art of the various Maya cultures speaks to my artistic sensibilities. Maya art has prodigious complexity and detail, while avoiding the obsession to produce realistic depictions. This inspires my work. Secondly, my study produced many friendships in Guatemala that will ensure further study throughout all Maya sites. When I gaze upon the images that emerged from visiting Copan one theme captures my mind. These images tell the story of the passing of time. They tell of the beautiful touch imparted by 1300 years of time elapsed. They speak to the power this space occupies. The structures and steles, in situ, draped in forests, extend an overwhelming presence and aura, which subsequently graces each of these images. As an artist, who studies art history, I have a keen eye for visual information. Correspondingly, I look forward to this unique opportunity to learn from wildlife photographer Jason Edwards and understand its prodigious value to my artistic progress: I have taken two digital classes and, currently studying 4x5 large format. Printing photos from negatives parallels my BFA in printmaking and I enjoy exploring arts rich in process. Moreover, it remains my position to share knowledge with others. With the thoughtful mentorship, this assignment affords, I trust the journey into Bhutan will produce profound imagery paired equally with profound literature that seeks to provide an impactful cultural experience for the spectator. This is a journey into a sacred world dedicated to preserving its unique culture: the work produced will reflect this otherworldliness, and shall speak of the landscape, the people and their culture with thoughtful reverence.

The Aura

michaelchristopher — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 11:43:00 GMT

The Aura

With the journey’s end drawing near. The decision to visit Copan hardened. We descended from the high lake and arranged transport bound for Honduras. Through the following day, we traversed the highlands of Guatemala, east, towards the great city of Copan. Even with a sound awareness of the Highland Maya, one can never estimate the experience.

Our arrival, after dusk, provided an opportunity to explore Copan Ruinas, a town outside the ancient acropolis, obtain lodging and ponder our dawn trek into the past.

Our walk into the countryside revealed stele along the path. We were walking into a great city of antiquity, one with aura and one with profound presence. As an artist, and student of Mesoamerican art history, I was overwhelmed by the amount of information projected from the structures. My expectations for the profound visual experience stood exceeded.

This experience yields endless textures to savoir, dancing with the patinas aged through time. The corresponding space draped the arborous acropolis as macaws glided through the city. This is a space rich with artistic and historical information. It calls for furthered reverence and furthered investigation. Moreover, it completed the journey through climax. Everything that followed during the journey appeared minute. It was perfect and it was profound.

Photos: The Journey

michaelchristopher — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 03:50:00 GMT