The Animals of the Popol Vuh

This portfolio is about the group of animals that are depicted in the pages of the Popol Vuh, the book of Mayan mythology. In it, the serpent, bats, ants, birds, tapirs and other animals play a role in the creation of the world.

Some of the works were made following closely the Popol Vuh writings. Other were made freely, letting imagination run and in occasions even with a slight political humor.

The art works were made using the technique named by Alicea as "fused paper".  This technique uses very thin handmade paper layered one on top of another while wet, fusing together upon drying.  The portfolio include a series of 23 works which are unique, and for which 16 are shown here. Year 1997.

The Dog and the Morning Star 33 ½ x 22 ¾

Raxón, the Blue Bird #2 23 ½ x 35

Three Dogs Complaining Over Mistreatment 23 x 33 ¾

The Cutter Ants and The Garden of Xibalba. Consits of three art works, each one measuring 23 ½ x 34

Four Birds Taking on Flight 23 x 33 ½

Red Dog Looking to the Right 23 x 33

The Coyote who Died in a Corn Field 23 ¼ x 34

Four Tapirs in Space 23 ¼ x 34 ¼

Cucumatz, Prodigious King 23 1/2 x 32

Tapirs 23 1/2 x 32

Hoh, The Raven 23 x 33

The Cutter Ants 23 x 33

The Cutter Ants and the Yellow Flowers 23 ½ x 34

The House of the Bats 29 ½ x 42