food for thought
An Homage to the Earth
by Alejandro López
In a recent talk by preeminent Colombian historian , Diana Uribe , she mentions that the human species stands at a threshold in which we can sense the approach of a new and revolutionary kind of relationship to the earth . However , because it is so new , the emerging paradigm cannot yet be made out clearly . Nevertheless , it portends a rupture with the human species ’ privileged place of “ master of the universe ” which it has enjoyed , certainly , since the onset of the industrial revolution and quite possibly since the bronze age .
The age of the burning of fossil fuels now appears to reluctantly be coming to an end due to the catastrophic and interrelated phenomenon of global warming . Ours is a time in which human beings are quickly losing control of the all-devouring economic and technological “ machine ” that humans have built in the service of the wholesale extraction , sale and consumption of the world ’ s resources ; all of this without regard to the earth ’ s health or our own . Given the imminent collapse of so many of the world ’ s ecosystems and the suffering of those caught in the middle of the climate crisis , it is urgent that we begin envisioning a different paradigm for ourselves — one in which we recognize that the earth is a living , sentient being , much like ourselves , but on a vastly greater scale .
I believe that the new paradigm calls for the adoption of an attitude of reverence and concern for the earth , not only because she gives us all that we need , but , more importantly and quite literally , because she is our mother . As such , she is a magnanimous , powerful , majestic , wondrous , and infinitely intelligent and complex being . Within the parameters of this understanding , it is my belief that we can both provide for our essential human needs while caring for the earth in a loving and responsible manner .
It was in the spirit of this partial understanding that I recently embarked on the painting of a large mural in the town of Española , New Mexico . The mural titled “ Sacred Earth , Caring Community ” focuses on the sanctity of the earth and the caring and kindness with which humanity could choose to engage her . The Española Valley , once the veritable bread basket of this part of the world is now a commercial hub choked by endless traffic , fast food establishments and a growing legion of the casualties of modern American life — homeless and addicted individuals who wander through its streets in a state of stupor .
There is very little in the city ’ s appearance to suggest that we are at the heart of two great life-giving rivers — the Río Grande and the Río Chama — as well as at the center of two magnificent mountain ranges — the Jemez and the Sangre de Cristo . Furthermore , there is nothing to indicate that the lands we inhabit are sacred to the three Tewa Pueblo Indian communities that still reside in this , their ancient homeland . To this day , the Pueblo people carry out their age-old religious ceremonies with intense fervor and devotion . The ceremonies honor the awesome beauty of our planetary home and its endless outpouring of all that is needed to sustain life . One such ritual involves the planting of symbolicallyenhanced wooden “ prayer sticks ” into the ground atop sacred peaks as a special offering to the cosmos . It was my hope that the mural that I intended to paint would function as a prayer of thanksgiving .
Having made the decision to paint the mural , I spent several weeks preparing drawings in which these concerns were front and center of the composition . In them , I also included our valley ’ s scant surviving agricultural practices but especially those that continue to flourish on our family farm . As modest as our agricultural output might be , with time , it may assume a greater importance , particularly
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