Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea

Fiery Pool is an exhibition about the importance and symbolism of water in ancient Mayan culture. Organized by the Peabody Essex Museum, it brings together more than 90 artifacts and works collected from several locations in Central America, including Tabasco and Chichen Itza, Mexico, Altun Ha, Belize, and Piedras Negras and Tikal, Guatemala. 

Presented in several thematic sections, the exhibit explored the significance of water to the Mayan culture and how they are depicted as such. 

Photography is not allowed inside the exhibit area, which is a bit disappointing, but I manage to snap a picture of one of the artifacts: a lidded bowl with the Iguana-Jaguar Eviscerating Humans, from Mexico, ca. 500. 

Other artifacts in exhibit include a gold face ornaments of Quetzalcoatl fro Chichen Itza, Mexico, a ten-pound jadeite head of a diety from Altun Ha, Belize, a lintel with bloodletting rite from Yaxchilan, Mexico, a lidded vessel of a world-turtle from Tikal, Guatemala, and a vomit spoon made from manatee bone, from Altun Ha.

The exhibit runs from February 13 to May 8, 2011 at the main gallery of the St, Louis Art Museum. Entrance fee is $8 for adults. The fee includes the use of an iPod with commentaries of the exhibit and the pieces on display 

St. Louis Art Museum

I spent my Sunday exploring the St. Louis Art Museum in St. Louis, Missouri. Specifically I went there to see the exhibit about Mayan culture called Fiery Pool, but I discovered more. The museum has an extensive collection spanning different cultures and time periods, including artifacts from Mesoamerica, Egyptian mummies, medieval weapons, Asian art, and several Renaissance paintings, among others. 

The museum, located in Forest Park, was constructed in 1904 for the World Fair. 

Admission is free in the museum except for the special exhibits such as the Fiery Pool ($8 for adults). 

How to get there: take the Metrolink train and get off Forest Park station. Go through Balleviere Avenue and cross Lindell Boulevard, walk till you reach Lagoon Drive, then continue to Fine Arts Drive. 

Useful info: St. Louis Art Museum website

Pics, from above: facade of the museum; the Reclining Pan by Francesco di Sangallo, ca 1535; the statue of Apotheosis of St. Louis; a Mesoamerica fertility figure

Let it Snow

As someone born and raised in a tropical country, seeing snow for the first time is a novelty for me. 


[Overland Park, Kansas, outside my hotel]