Edgar Ortega
Tomar la gran ciudad / Taking Over the City (2019) 1. Sculpture (Plastic horse, wood balustrade and book by Hernán Cortés Cartas de relación) 44 ½ x 8 x 8 in 2. Painting (Acrylic on wood) 15 ½ x 11 2/3 in 3. Prayers That Open Paths (Inkjet print on paper, 90 copies) 2 x 1 ½ in each
During the Conquest, the Spaniards entered Morelos from the east. Cuernavaca was guarded by the Texcocanos and access was allowed through three drawbridges. One of them was in the Amanalco ravine in what is now the Miraval neighborhood, where Hernán Cortés managed to enter with his soldiers. The legend says that Cortés made a pact with the devil so that his horse Rucio would grow wings and be able to enter the city flying. The bridge is known as the Devil’s Bridge and it is an alley with a plaque where this deed is briefly narrated. In this work, the winged plastic horse on a wooden banister refers to a Roman column that rises on the Letters of Relation of Hernán Cortés. The column is accompanied by a 1: 1 acrylic painting reproduction of the plate located in the alley.
The prayer says:
ABRECAMINOS
Fuerza todo poderosa y suprema
Busco tu bendición el día de hoy
Que tu reino llene de luz mi vida
Que tu guardia proteja mi destino
Que tus manos siembren en mí la semilla.
A lo largo de todo mi camino.
Te solicito con humildad
Que me guies por el sendero de lo próspero.
Que tu bendición recaiga en mi vida.
Así como en la de los demás.
Te imploro fuerza eterna
Que mis palabras sean escuchadas.
Destierra toda carencia.
Que se abran todos los caminos.
Que hoy desaparezan todos los obstáculos.
Que las barreras caigan por su peso.
Que así sea hoy y siempre.
Instagram: @edgar.ortega.mendez
