Welcome to Jaco
Jaco has five entrances off of the main Costanera highway. The photo here is of the first entrance from Herradura. Don't let the Pinga Grande scare you. I've studied Pre-Columbian art, Aztec and Mayan and I don't remember ever seeing that! I'm sure they are suppose to relate back to the Mayans or whatever...
Just where did these statues originate? I loved to know. Please Educate me.
The statues are not as vulgar as the monstrous condos popping up everywhere. Built mostly by Nicaraguans and Guatemalans. Don't get me wrong, these people are fabulous workers and most are honest, just looking to make some money to send home. I just wonder what will happen to all this new construction when the "big one" hits. You know, Continental Shelf/Slope and all...
Check out this site: http://home.iitk.ac.in/~vinaykg/Iset466.pdf
The Guanacaste area hasn't moved in about 120 years. Limon area was not so lucky back in 1991.
You don't hear hear much about this from developers and the like.
This is the front side of the project on the highway. This particular projects boasts of having hot tubs on all the balconies!
Just one more reason to live the life of Pura Vida! All Costarricans already know this. After all, it is their country. AND, for those of you that think I am being negative, I prefer to consider myself an artistic realist.
Just stating the facts, ma'am.
Postsript: Someone made a comment that called me on the "vulgar" connection with the statues and the huge construction project going up. Read comments if your interested. For the record, art is art. Hot tubs on balconies,,, is vulgar in a struggling country.
19 comments:
Build it and they will come...
Crazy. As absurd as a hot tub in JacoHotAsHell. What would one even DO with a hot tub there? Hard-boiled eggs? Shrimp cocktail? A load of "whites"?
Glad you're back!
Beth.
"the mayans or whatever"...
inferring these statues are vulgar...
That is totally offensive to indiginous people. It's one thing to be negative and its another to be insulting.
YOU are inferring vulgarity. Though if you'd like to explain semantically how whatever relates to vulgarity, I'm all ears.
The last two comments about vulgarity are well noted. In fact, I seriously doubted my making that "vulgar" connection to the statues and the construction. I don't think the statues are vulgar but I guess it didn't read that way. Some do, however.
How can I back up and undo what's done. I'll work on that...
I appreciate your input and I'm glad I struck a nerve.
AND ANOTHER THING, want to know about the REAL indiginous people of Costa Rica??, there are plenty of websites out there. Let's talk about the Cabecar Indians, Bribri Tribe, the Borucas,,, there are eight different INDIGINOUS tribes here. I doubt one of them made THOSE statues.
(interesting article about the Cabecar Indians at www.aboardincostarica.com -July)
For the record, I was an art major and I love Mayan and Aztec art. Not sure if these were made in Nicaragua or where but I'll research it. I think I do know who put them there. The same guy that brought "7/11" to Jaco. They had to change the name to 24/7, but that's another story.
I'm sure the "powers that be" are working on a "Welcome to (my) Jaco" sign right now.
To Beth, This is why I don't enjoy blogging much anymore.
So misunderstood. :(
To Arp, the line between vulgarity and acceptable is a blurred jagged line here. I've seen girls in Mas x Menos (grocery) with thongs on.
Actually, the pinga statues are refreshing! It's always about the GIRLS in Jaco...
Thanks for the site on the Tsunami potential..it is very informative.
Sorry, but I think the article was written awhile back. Knowledge is power and although there is that possiblity,,, I would'nt be any where else in the world.
Do YOU know where those statues originated? I've researched and can't find a thing.
For all those others that are reading this, hit "Barry" on the above comment and see where it goes... You'll be amazed!!
Sorry folks, that link goes no where.
Check out the work going on with the Bribri Tribe at The Bridge:
http://www.elpuente-thebridge.org/
Those statues do not look like they are from Central America. Does anyone know? Asian blend perhaps?
Maybe the statues have no historical significance and are not pre-Columbian, Mayan, Incan, Mesoamerican, or WHATEVER and are just Modern Art.
I hope I didn't unintentionally offend anyone named "Art".
Beth.
@Teri: I'm not offended at all by your post - just the anonymous poster (not Beth) making a ridiculous accusation. Upon re-reading my response was totally ambiguous. I'm all for vulgarity in its many shapes & forms.
@Beth: not offended by anything you said :-)
Thanks guys, that post that I had insulted the indigenious was taken to heart. I think those statues insult Jaco.
They are not authentic statues, just "someone's" wishful thinking, not to name names. Maybe the Muni can enlighten me as to "who" put them there. They are definitely not representation of the typical statues around Costa Rica.
I really think they are a joke.
Just for the record I am the original poster. I am native american and found it offensive personally. Is that an accusation ? Hmm, for what?
Personally, I enjoy reading your blog and wasn't attacking you, just expressing how you made me and possibly other indiginous people feel. I think the hot tubs on balconies or anywhere else in Costa Rica are ridiculous. So I agree with your point, just not the correlation.
As for the statues, I have seen them around Costa Rica before. Wander over to Marea Brava an you will see more that are similar lining the beachside and a pair in the parking lot. In fact, you may have been here in 2005 when someone tried to open up a club for gay men off the costanera towards F&M. They placed several of these on the highway and colorfully painted their bodies and pingas to draw attention.
I personally don't know where they originated, and I have heard they also don't know how the perfectly round rock spheres came from either. That doesn't make them any less historical.
Anonymous, thanks for checking back. I know those statues in front of Marea Brava and I have photos. I'll have to dig them up for comparison. THOSE are NOT 'pinga grande' statues. They are the typical statues you see all around Costa Rica and are dearly loved.
The statues around Lighthouse and the first entrance to Jaco (and maybe 24/7 convenience store still) were "especially" made for someone. They are original in THAT sense but I don't think they represent authentic Costa Rican or Nicaraguan (because of the animal head) art. I think Costa Ricans should be offended by those particular (pinga grande) statues. My 'Ticopedia' friend (Tico) says NO, they are 'not Costa Rica' and laughed about it. He confirmed what I have seen.
I drove by Crazy Horse today, looks like it's closed down now too. I have photos of the huge Marilyn statue that used to be at that entrance when it was Hollywood.
I'll post it for you. :)
I really appreciate your response because it made me stop and think. I would really love to visit the indigenous tribes here and you brought that all back up to the surface. I'm in search for "the real Costa Rica".
The statues in front of the gay bar were special made. Wonder who got them when the place closed.
I don't think the Jaco entrance is a good place for those imitation statues with the exagerated sized penises. It's a joke on Jaco and a slur to Costa Rica.
It is vulgar when some people think they can adapt historical art to their whim.
good morning teri.. I clicked on my name too ..nada .. I gave up trying to fill in that Blog profile, it just wouldn't process. As a sidebar,, I too would never think art is vulgar,, but I agree that's not a representative style I have ever seen either ..and I do think the placement on a street is inappropiate, given it's apparent purpose . for shock value not celebration of a ancient culture..but thats just my opinion.. have a great day
Thanks Barry, that's my point exactly. I'm not done with this yet!
Dear Teri
Sorry for responding a little late, but as a curator for the British Museum for over 23 years, I was somewhat surprised to see the photo of an Azomayan Fertility Statue on your blog. It is quite shocking that some of your readers would take offense to the exposed phallus of such a well known fertility icon from an equally well known and important indigenous people. However, I am afraid that these statues appear to fakes, based on the phallic proportions that are obviously way too small. One can easily verify this historical fact by researching the British Museum archives where we have displayed actual cave pictographs of women of that time showing every day activities and enormous smiles on their faces.
Cheers,
Professor Emeritus
Dr. Edward Cacatori
British Museum
Phallus C. Department
London
And there you have it folks! That must be why all the Costa Rican women have such beautiful smiles on their faces.
I googled Azomayan and got nothing. Did you notice the expert is from the Phallus deptartment? I still think that statue matches the ones in the parking lot at Marea Brava. Did you find the photos?
That was a JOKE from a friend of mine. You didn't get it, I'm guessing.
Those photos of the Marea Brava statues were lost when my card died but I will go there and take some more photos so I can post the difference between them. THOSE are not the same as the fakes at the entrance of Jaco. It is an insult for people to adapt historical art, ESPECIALLY when those accept the fake as authentic.
Thanks again for checking back and trust me, I'm not done with this yet!! Teri
Year 2012 - The Pinga Statues are GONE!!
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