Hanaqpacha Intiq Sombran

Hanaqpacha Intiq Sombran (2004)

Jennifer Zackin initiated this installation while living in Cusco in 2004, bringing a U.S. Air Force military parachute to Peru specifically for the project. She collaborated with Mariano, Santiago, Benito, Lorenzo, and Nicolas from the Q’ero Nation, who created over 1,000 pom-poms. Traditionally, these pom-poms adorn ch’ullos—woven hats worn by Q’ero men.

For the Q’ero, the parachute symbolized Inti (the sun), a central figure in their belief system. Together, they recreated a traditional Inti pattern from Q’ero textiles using the handmade pom-poms, arranging them on the parachute in a way that could only be fully seen from directly below.

Collaborators: Mariano Quispe Flores, Santiago Quispe Qhapaq, Benito Apaza Lunasco, Lorenzo Qhapaq Apaza, Nicolas Flores Apaza

Featured in:

• Pachamama Hanaqpacha K’anchay, ICPNA, Cusco, Peru (2004)

• Killamanta Kutimusaq, Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield, CT (2006)