Drinking Cup (Kero) with an Abstracted Masked Figure Possibly 600 - 1000

Editor: So, here we have a ceramic drinking cup, a Kero, crafted by the Tiwanaku people sometime between 600 and 1000. The abstracted masked figure that adorns it feels almost intimidating. What do you make of its cultural significance? Curator: It's compelling how this vessel embodies the intersection of ritual, social hierarchy, and artistic expression in Tiwanaku society. Consider how the very act of drinking from a kero like this would have been a highly formalized event. The imagery, potentially representing a deity or high-ranking figure, reinforces social status and spiritual authority. How do you think the act of drinking from it may influence one's perceived place within the hierarchy? Editor: I hadn't considered the performative aspect of using it. Almost like consuming power. But could the abstraction also function to make it more widely understandable across a diverse society? Curator: That's a sharp insight! Abstraction can democratize an image by allowing for multiple interpretations and reinforcing an existing social order. Think about how such imagery projected Tiwanaku's power but also potentially unified a diverse populace through shared symbols and ritualistic practice. Does it also speak to any contemporary artworks in that regard? Editor: Thinking about how contemporary artists engage with national symbols or iconic figures makes me realize the long history of images functioning as a tool for power, but also collective identity. It’s a sobering realization! Curator: Precisely. And observing this kero grants us entry into grasping how aesthetics, symbolism, and power dynamics were so exquisitely interwoven within Tiwanaku society, and resonate through centuries. Editor: This conversation has truly illuminated the multifaceted nature of this piece, prompting a new understanding of how art serves not only aesthetic purposes but also cultural and societal functions.