RETABLO. HORNS AND CLAWS

Horns and Claws Year: 1986 Dimensions: Open: 41.5 x 81 x 19 cm / Closed: 41.5 x 40 x 19 cm The retablo represents the confrontation of two social groups located on either side of an abyss, on whose horizon a red sun can be seen beneath a rainbow; the red sun of dusk that represents famine and suffering. The confrontation visible in the abyss almost literally embodies the title: the claws of sparrowhawks and condors represent the highlands; the horns of bulls, for their part, represent the coast. The two social groups are separated by an abyss in which the clash between birds and bulls takes place. Both groups cheer euphorically, shouting, raising their arms, and rallying with their chants. The confrontation does not take place solely through animals—each group is represented by its best bullfighter within the abyss. The coastal bullfighter has been gored by a bull and is flying through the air; the highland bullfighter, for his part, is unharmed, in a defiant or triumphant position with his arms raised. Both can be recognized by their clothing. The coastal bullfighter wears a blue outfit clearly inspired by Spanish bullfighting, and the highland bullfighter wears a poncho, a chullo on his head, and goes barefoot. The difference between the two groups is evident not only in their clothing and their position in space, but also in their use of different instruments. On the left, for example, waqrapukus predominate, while on the right, brass instruments assert their presence. This retablo was given as a gift by Edilberto Jiménez to Carlos Iván Degregori, who was struck and amazed by the confrontation between "indians" and "mistis" depicted inside it.