Russell Guerrero 210-999-8406 Russell.Guerrero@trinity.edu

Burning With Glory: Art Historian to Look at Fire as a Symbol in Myth of Mixtec Warlord

Sept. 23, 2003 A Ph.D. graduate student in art history will explore how the Mixtecs, a pre-Columbian people from Mexico, used fire as a symbol in their culture for both destruction and creation.  Elizabeth Olton, from the University of New Mexico, will present “Fire: Beyond Ritual and Kingship in the Codex Zouche-Nuttal,” at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30, in the Chapman Center Auditorium.

As a metaphor and in a literal sense, fire often conjures images of destruction. However, fire has a dual nature, with its ability to simultaneously bring devastation and give life.  The Mixtecs of Oaxaca, Mexico, were aware of these conflicting qualities and used representations of fire in several painted manuscripts called codices.  For her presentation, Ms. Olton will discuss the Codex Zouche-Nuttall, which traces the mythic genealogy of the warlord Eight Deer and his journey toward absolute rule.  Throughout the painted manuscript, Eight Deer’s life and story is amplified by fire, which adds to his mythic quality and also attaches cosmic approval to his pursuit of power.

The presentation is sponsored by the department of history and the Alamo Pre-Columbian Society.  For more information, contact the history department at (210) 999-7621. 



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Last updated on October 1, 2003
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