| © Copyright 2009 James M. Armstrong All Rights Reserved. |
| Quetzalcoatl 2006 25.5" x 17" x 10.5" Kiln-Formed Glass |
Quetzalcoatl, meaning feathered serpent, is the ancient Mesoamerican
deity of creation and destruction. I’m sure, if you asked, all sculptors
would tell you that their works require a sacrifice. A blood sacrifice.
Just as the Aztecs, who worshiped Quetzalcoatl, are well known for their
blood sacrifices, this piece spilt more of my blood than all my other
sculptures. As I was deciding the angles of how the base should be
welded together, a piece of metal slipped out of place and the glass
sculpture came crashing down. I sat motionless in shock. As I gathered
my thoughts I soon realized my hands and wrists were bleeding pretty
good. I couldn't see my face or neck, but felt them and quickly got to a
mirror. They were fine. Good. Now I was faced with my broken
sculpture. I had a nearly finished, custom made, welded steel base for
a piece that I had liked considerably. So I patched myself up, picked up
the broken pieces, and headed back to my kiln to recreate this
sculpture piece by piece, fusing together more of the 1” x 1” glass tile
that I had used before. I like to think it came out even better. I did not
title this piece Quetzalcoatl for the blood it took, but just as the ancient
Aztecs sacrificed blood to this deity, so did I.
deity of creation and destruction. I’m sure, if you asked, all sculptors
would tell you that their works require a sacrifice. A blood sacrifice.
Just as the Aztecs, who worshiped Quetzalcoatl, are well known for their
blood sacrifices, this piece spilt more of my blood than all my other
sculptures. As I was deciding the angles of how the base should be
welded together, a piece of metal slipped out of place and the glass
sculpture came crashing down. I sat motionless in shock. As I gathered
my thoughts I soon realized my hands and wrists were bleeding pretty
good. I couldn't see my face or neck, but felt them and quickly got to a
mirror. They were fine. Good. Now I was faced with my broken
sculpture. I had a nearly finished, custom made, welded steel base for
a piece that I had liked considerably. So I patched myself up, picked up
the broken pieces, and headed back to my kiln to recreate this
sculpture piece by piece, fusing together more of the 1” x 1” glass tile
that I had used before. I like to think it came out even better. I did not
title this piece Quetzalcoatl for the blood it took, but just as the ancient
Aztecs sacrificed blood to this deity, so did I.