Big art
Thousands of years ago, in Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, there was an ancient civilization called the Aztecs. In 2006, people found this ruin in Mexico City.
A: Cool! What is it?
B: Well, it's a piece of Aztec art; a sculpture of Tlaltecuhtli …
A: ... TLA-what?
B: Tlaltecuhtli. She was the Aztec goddess of the earth.
A: Goddess of the earth? She looks a bit angry. Look at her tongue!
B: Her tongue is a symbol. The Aztecs say that every night, Tlaltecuhtli eats the sun. If she is happy, she gives the sun back every morning.
A: That's a nice story, but I don't really believe it. Look at this. I love this type of Mexican art! These sculptures are amazing.
B: Yes, they are. They're huge. Who's the artist?
A: His name is Sebastián. He's an urban sculptor. He likes making big sculptures. They're symbols of the city. This one is called the “little horse”.
B: Little? I don't think it's very little!
A: He puts his sculptures in busy places so lots of people can see them and enjoy them.
B: Sebastián likes bright colours, doesn't he?
A: Yes. He says colour and shape are very important because they express different feelings. He uses special blocks in his studio. They give him ideas for the colours and shapes in his sculptures.
B: Very creative.
A: He also looks for inspiration from nature. Look inside this cave.
B: Wow, are those crystals?
A: Hm
B: The shapes and angles are incredible!
A: This is a model of Sebastián's new sculpture. It's a coyote. A coyote is a wild dog.
B: Yes, I know. The coyote was very important to the Aztecs, too …
A: Really? That's interesting. They're building the coyote in the middle of the city.
B: It's a nice symbol of Mexico; of the past and today.
A: You're right!
B: Now that's big art!
