Lecture: A Modern Temple of the Andean Gods and Its Icons

Dr. Frank Salomon, Professor Anthropology, University of Wisconsin, Madison

The village of Rapaz, Peru, has something most anthropologists never expected to see: a functioning temple to the pre-Christian deities whose bodies are the snowcapped mountains of the Andes. At the same time, it also houses a remarkable 17th century church decorated with murals inside and out. Dr. Frank Salomon, Professor Anthropology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, examines the ethnographic research, archaeology, and collaborative conservation work that explains how the Andean religious tradition–in all its multiplicity–works through icons and images. The material components of Andean religion include images, khipus (Andean knotted-cord records), costumes, sacrifices, sacred landscapes, buildings and songs. As an ensemble, the religious material culture of Rapaz is a remarkable window onto New World innovations. Free, but tickets are required. Please contact the Meadows School of the Arts Ticket Office at 214.768.2787 to obtain tickets.

Bob and Jean Smith Auditorium