At the Museum of Anthropology, October 5 – December 16, 2012
Bursts of bright light danced across the royal courts, ceremonies, processions and battlefields of pre-Columbian Peru. Reflected by the gold and silver of crowns, jewelry, regalia, costumes and banners, such luminosity proclaimed the divine power and authority of Andean priests and rulers for nearly 2,500 years. Despite the 16th century Spanish Conquest, the importance of the reflective properties, and divine qualities traditionally associated with gold and silver, were not forgotten. New techniques were developed to satisfy the novel demands of the Catholic Church and colonial elite. Later, Peruvian Independence inaugurated a revival of the indigenous use of silver, and the introduction of a new style of silverware celebrating the country’s distinct flora and fauna.
“Luminescence: the Silver of Peru” traces the long history of silverwork and the fascination with the metal’s divine and luminescent qualities. It will display pre-Columbian works to those made by contemporary artists, including national treasures seldom seen outside of Peru. The exhibition is curated by MOA Director Dr. Anthony Shelton, and made possible through the generous support of the Pan American Silver Corp. and the Patronato Plata del Peru.
Associated Events:
Lecture: Daviken Studnicki-Gizbert, “Resource Extraction in Latin America: A Social and Environmental History”
Thursday October 4, 2pm
Daviken Studnicki-Gizbert (History and Classical Studies, McGill) speaks about his research in the social and environmental history of natural resource extraction in Latin America.
Exhibition Opening
Thursday October 4, 7pm
Celebrate the opening of this new exhibition with a live performance by Pacifika, featuring Silvana Kane, vocalist/lyricist, Adam Popowitz, guitarist, and Toby Peter, bassist/drummer.
Curator Tour
Friday October 5, 10am
Join MOA Director and exhibit curator Anthony Shelton in conversation with Jose Torres Della Pina, Director of the Patronato Plata del Peru, as they discuss the themes raised in this exhibition.
Patronato Plata del Perú Lecture by José Torres Della Pina
Friday October 5, 2pm
José Torres Della Pina, a director of the Patronato Plata del Peru, gives a talk entitled “1,000 Years in the Development of Techniques in Peruvian Silversmithing.” This lecture is proudly sponsored by Pan American Silver.
Lecture: Maya Stanfield-Mazzi
Tuesday October 9, 7pm
Maya Stanfield-Mazzi, a specialist in Pre-Columbian and Latin American Art from the University of Florida, speaks about luminescence in Peruvian art and ceremony.
MOA Curator Talk with Anthony Shelton
Sunday, October 14, 1pm
Join MOA Director and exhibit curator Dr. Anthony Shelton for as he talks about the research he undertook to develop this exhibition.
Visiting Artist: Alpaca de los Andes Artisans: Lucia Andrade De Laureano and Clelia Margarita Ricra Ricaldi
Join these textile makers from Peru as they demonstrate their weaving techniques and discuss their work to develop Alpaca de los Andes, a new line of alpaca clothing and accessories.
Artist Demonstrations at the MOA Shop
November 19, 11am – 7pm and November 20, 12-4pm
Public talks and Demonstrations Textile Research Room
November 21-23, 1-3pm
Tuesday Evening “Conversations”
Come and participate in a series of “Conversations” and discussions with members of UBC and SFU’s Latin American Studies Programmes and their special guests.
Refracting Luminescence
October 16, 6-8pm
Jon Beasley-Murray (Chair of Latin American Studies Program, UBC), and Alejandra Bronfman (History, UBC) will co-host this session.
Current Affairs in Peru: Commodities, Conflict and Democracy
October 30, 6-8pm
Maxwell Cameron (Political Science UBC) and Fabiola Bazo (Adjunct Professor, SFU) join Ronald Wright (Historian, novelist, essayist) and Jonathan Manthorpe (International Affairs columnist, Vancouver Sun) in lively conversation.
The Political Economy of Mining
November 6, 6-8pm
Alec Dawson (History, SFU), Mauricio Drelichman (Economics, UBC) and Marcello Veiga (Mining Engineering, UBC) will offer insights to the past and future of mining in the Americas.
The History of 16th and 17th century Andean Silver Mining
November 13, 6-8pm
Kenneth Mills (History, University of Toronto) and Neil Safier (History, UBC) share their knowledge of Latin American history.