Miniature figurine c. 1500

Curator: Here we have a miniature ceramic figurine, a Tlatilco piece dating back to around 1500, housed right here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Editor: It's... well, it's peculiar. The doubled face, the exaggerated hips... It feels deliberately unsettling. Is it meant to represent a specific person, or is it symbolic? Curator: Much of Tlatilco art features depictions of the human form, often with emphasized features. Given the context of early Mesoamerican societies, it's believed that figures like these likely held religious or social significance. The duality of the face could signify a connection to both the physical and spiritual worlds, or maybe duality itself was worshiped. Editor: Duality makes me think about the inherent tensions within pre-colonial social structures. Were these figures representations of power, or maybe critiques of it? It’s difficult to extract intention from so long ago, but I see possibilities for queer or gender non-conforming symbolism, the joining of two faces can evoke ideas of fluidity and the questioning of stable identities. Curator: Interesting, though we have to remember the gaps in our historical understanding. Without written records, the meaning is open to speculation. However, recent museum exhibitions strive to showcase varied theories about art’s role in forming personal identity through time. What would you say the figurine is communicating in this current era? Editor: In a world fixated on homogenous beauty standards, there's a radical power in something that challenges our expectations. She stands against the grain. Curator: Well, thinking about it through a long historical lens, it is pretty evident that ideals change generation after generation. Consider also how museums historically prioritized certain narratives. Only now are we deconstructing past prejudices in displays. Editor: I couldn't agree more. This little figurine, despite its age, serves as a potent reminder that beauty, identity, and power are not fixed concepts, and we need to continue challenging ourselves to explore art, social agency, and theory within and outside of institutions. Curator: It certainly gives us much to ponder! Let's move on to our next exhibit.