Peru

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Art History

Archaeologists Uncover Nearly 170 Nazca Lines Dating Back About 2,000 Years in Peru

Images courtesy of Yamagata University

Following the discovery of an enormous lounging cat in 2020, archaeologists have uncovered hundreds of additional geoglyphs on the Nazca Lines site in Peru. A team from Yamagata University has spent nearly a decade at the location 250 miles south of Lima, and a field study between June 2019 and February 2020 unveiled 168 previously hidden works. Spotted in aerial photos captured by drones, the drawings feature myriad creatures like birds, snakes, orcas, and people likely created between 100 B.C. and 300 A.D.

Researchers believe there are two types of geoglyphs on the Nazca Pampa, a linear and relief, although only five documented during this mission are linear. Prehistoric populations created the works by removing darker stones from the earth’s surface to reveal the lighter sand below, and the renderings are thought to be part of spiritual, astronomical rituals. Spreading across 170 square miles, the Nazca lines vary in size, although most are smaller than 30 feet in diameter.

Archaeologists have spotted 358 geoglyphs at the UNESCO World Heritage site so far, which is currently being studied to see how the works are distributed across the area. (via ArtNet)

Art

13 Staircases Blanketed with Prismatic Murals Evocative of Andean Textiles Run Through Lima’s Hills

All images by Jeremy Flores, © Xomatok, shared with permission

Artist Xomatok (previously) translates the vibrant, geometric motifs of handwoven Andean blankets, or llicllas, into large-scale works that mark the pathways through the hilly Alisos de Amauta neighborhood in Lima, Peru. Painted during the course of two months as part of the Municipality of Lima’s Pinta Lima Bicentenario, the 13 interventions were a collaborative undertaking by the artist and local residents, who transformed the public staircases that wind through the district into multi-level canvases. The resulting patterns are kaleidoscopic and highlight a spectrum of bright colors and symmetries often associated with the traditional textiles. In a note to Colossal, Xomatok says community members will add to the project as a way to continue celebrating their cultural history, and you can take an aerial tour of the finished pieces on the artist’s Instagram.

Art

A Color Spectrum Stairwell in Lima Painted by ‘Xomatok’

Bringing both color and light to a drab stairwell in Lima, Peru, artist and illustrator Xomatok painted this piece titled “Snake of Light” in the Villa el Salvador district as part of a collaboration with Crehana. You can see more of his light-based mural and design work on Instagram.

Amazing Photography

Spectacular Camera Drone Footage of New Year’s Fireworks Over Lima

Right at midnight on New Year’s Eve, photographer Jeff Cremer sent his camera drone up into the skies above Lima, Peru to capture the sights and sounds of residents shooting off fireworks. A heck of a lot of fireworks it turns out, shot from streets and rooftops across the entire city. Cremer wanted to get a bit closer to the action but smartly kept his drone at about 200m so it wouldn’t be knocked out of the sky by a random firework. Set to Perpetuum Mobile by Penguin Cafe Orchestra. (via PetaPixel)

Design

Sleep Amongst the Condors 400 Feet Above a Sacred Valley in Peru

Suspended 400 feet above Peru’s Sacred Valley of Cusco are three capsules that appear like Space Age airstream trailers. These transparent sleeping pods are intended for unfazed adventures, crafted from aerospace aluminum and weather resistant polycarbonate giving each visitor a 300 degree view of the valley below.

Skylodge Adventure Suites was created by the company Natura Vive, a group of young entrepreneurs who aim to show people of any age or experience level a mountain adventure. As a part of the thrill, visitors must either climb or hike a challenging trail with the help of ziplines to reach their sleeping quarters in the sky.

Each 24 ft. by 8 ft. capsule suite holds four beds, a dining area, and bath, ensuring a comfortable internal temperature and atmosphere with the inclusion of six windows and four ventilation ducts. The pods also have a clear dome at the top of each, which Natura Vive explains also has curtains for privacy “from the curious gaze of the passing condors (your sky neighbors).” (via designboom)