Itante Healing Vessel c. 20th century

Editor: Here we have the *Itante Healing Vessel*, created around the 20th century, and currently residing here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It's a ceramic sculpture and it feels simultaneously ancient and playful, wouldn’t you agree? All those layered textures and adornments are so striking. What's your perspective when you look at this piece? Curator: Playful, yes! Like a cosmic ancestor winking at us through the clay. I'm drawn to the rough texture, almost primal. Think of the hands that molded this, connecting us to generations past. It feels like a conduit, doesn't it? The Cham people were masters of imbuing everyday objects with spiritual power. The open mouth, those protruding spikes— what do they evoke for you? Editor: A sense of openness and perhaps even protection? Like it’s warding off bad spirits or inviting in good ones. The layering is fascinating. Curator: Exactly! Perhaps it is designed for spiritual cleansing. Layer upon layer, protection upon protection. Each element might represent a different offering, a different plea for healing. Imagine the rituals, the dances, the incantations that might have accompanied its use. I also wonder, what would we heal from today if we used such a vessel? Editor: That is an amazing point, if we all collectively used the Itante Healing Vessel, what ailment would be cured? Thank you! Curator: And thank you! It's these imaginings, this weaving of personal narrative and cultural history, that keeps art alive, isn't it? Always learning, always seeing something new!