Chane Community
The Chané community inhabits in Campo Durán, Salta, Northern Argentina.
One of their most prevalent traditions is the Arete Ceremony: a sacred ritual dedicated to the gratitude to ‘Mother Nature’. It is their way of paying tribute to the land and the fruit of their work. For this celebration the elements that takes center stage are the masks, each of which encompasses a complex symbolism. For the Chané, these masks represent the balance between man and nature, and are intrinsically linked to the myths of the group. During the ritual, they will be inhabited by the spirits, preventing those same spirits from usurping the soul of any of the participants. If the spirit to be represented isn’t correctly depicted in the mask, it will lack strength. Therefore, the execution is a process that demands such precision and skill.
All masks are hand-carved with a knife from found wood of Silk Floss trees and hand painted with natural pigments derived from their enviroment. The technical knowledge involved in the process is transmitted from generation to generation, perpetuating an ancestral know-how that focuses in the respect for nature and the environment: work without damaging.
The production process brings the families together, participating and collaborating to reach the final result. Finally, unique pieces emerge: in texture, gesture and shape. They evoke the memory and spirit of native animals of the mountain and the surrounding region of the Salta province.
These hand-carved wooden masks are made by the Chané native community in Salta, Argentina. They represent the local fauna and rich wildlife, as well as numerous characters from the symbolic Chané universe. All masks are hand carved in reclaimed Palo Borracho wood (silk floss tree) and hand painted with natural pigments. They symbolize the deeply rooted relationship between the Chané community and the local environment.
Decorating with these pieces of art provides a unique and magnetic aesthetic. Combine Chané masks with paintings, tapestries to create an original and personal art wall.
Dimensions: 5 in. x 3 in. x H: 5 in.
Material: Reclaimed Silk Floss wood
Technique: Hand-carved and hand painted using natural pigments
Origin: Salta, Argentina
Care: Clean with a dry cloth. Avoid water, humidity, bumps, scratches and direct exposure to sources of intense heat.
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