Confrontación (Encounter)

By Daniel Hernandez

Confrontation is inspired by the Aztec legend, The Fifth Sun. According to the legend, the Gods met to give rise to The Fifth Sun and offered their lives for the sun, throwing themselves into the fire. One of the Gods, Axolotl, refused to sacrifice himself and decided to go into hiding. He transformed himself into a two-bodied agave plant, using his extraordinary power to transform himself into anything he wished. When he was discovered, he took the shape of a double-split cornstalk. Once again, after being discovered, he plunged into the Xochimilco Lake, taking the form of a Mexican salamander called axolotl. This engraving alludes to the axolotl clinging on for its dear life, preparing to confront the inevitability of death.