Tu Camino | Atilio Murga | Zona 5, Guatemala City, Guatemala. (2012)
Role: Artist/Creative Director
Category: Temporary
Category: Temporary
Materials: Dyed wood powder, wood shavings, straw, and seeds.
Duration: 2 days (design and fabrication)
Description: Community-based artwork in the form of a carpet was created for the Parrish of Santa Ana’s annual procession during Holy week and on Black Saturday.
The principal motifs of the original carpet design are Golgotha, a prominent symbol in Christian tradition, and the Catholic Rosary, which embodies the faith's spiritual heritage. Additionally, the design incorporates several smaller symbols of significance: the Dachshund pays tribute to the family crest; Guatemala Golden Coneflower, in its depiction, signifies the forthcoming resurrection of Christ, with the imagery of the blood of Christ at its core; and a green jewel, emblematic of Guatemala's national bird, El Quetzal, adds further cultural resonance to the overall composition.
The fabrication and installation process spanned a total of six hours, engaging the efforts of family members, neighbors, and visitors from various communities who came together in a spirit of collaboration.
The carpet, artfully designed to welcome the solemn procession, is held in high esteem and considered sacred. It is a privilege reserved exclusively for those who bear the Virgin Mary during the procession, as they embody the profound sorrow she endured following the loss of her son.
Catholicism has played a fundamental role in shaping the cultural landscape of Guatemala and Latin America for centuries, serving as a central pillar of their social and cultural identity.
Throughout Holy Week, the city transforms as artists from across the nation lay down miles of intricately created carpets along the procession routes, a tradition steeped in history and reverence.
