Head from a Figure, Xochipilli Macuilxochitl 1521

Curator: Okay, let’s talk about this arresting sculpture. It’s a head from a figure representing Xochipilli Macuilxochitl, dating back to around 1521. Editor: My first impression is its heft, even visually. You can tell it’s a dense, heavy material. The smoothness too – incredibly tactile despite being behind glass. Curator: Absolutely. This carving, now housed at the Met, offers us a glimpse into the artistic practices of the Aztec civilization. We can imagine this piece within the whole history and intersectionality of Indigenous Americas. What do you make of his gaze? Editor: There’s a kind of serene defiance there, isn’t there? A strength that seems both worldly and deeply spiritual. Thinking about it existing during a moment of intense conflict adds a layer of tragedy to that serenity. He stares forward in a state of complete destruction. Curator: Right, Xochipilli was associated with creativity, with dance and art, even hallucinogenic plants! This sculpture probably formed part of a larger depiction and held considerable social meaning within its original context. Imagine the color! The vivid ceremony where this image served to focus and transmit devotion. Editor: Yes! And to see the broken, remnant state speaks to that break within their civilization. This image is surviving, resisting that colonial rupture and still remains. Even incomplete, the figure's presence and artistry pierce through. What do you consider the impact for the contemporary gaze? Curator: It speaks to the power of indigenous artistry surviving and thriving across temporal distances. I always find myself gravitating back to the technical mastery on display, considering not only the conceptual intention behind the sculpture, but the labor, skill and experience invested in the carving and metallurgical craftsmanship. A conversation to explore that indigenous voice. Editor: Exactly. Thinking about how museums participate in constructing colonial legacies, perhaps the opportunity here is how this exhibit might challenge some of the cultural narratives. Well, it definitely got me thinking. Curator: Same. Another Aztec artwork holding powerful resonance in our current times.