Edward James's Cornucopia
Discover the fascinating story of a unique sculpture
DETAIL OF YELLOW HORN FROM THE GARDEN OF EDWARD JAMES (2024-04-18) by Edward James Jardín Escultórico Edward James, Las Pozas
Hesiod's Theogony refers to the origin of the cosmos and the lineage of the gods. According to the myth, the god Zeus was raised by nymphs on Mount Dicte and suckled by the goat Amalthea.
Tradition suggests that one day, while Zeus was playing, he accidentally broke one of the goat's horns, and as compensation for the damage, he filled it with fruit, endowed it with divinity, and gave it to the nymphs.
The myth of the cornucopia, or horn of plenty, has remained in the collective imagination to this day and is used as a national emblem by various countries around the world.
ARRIVING TO CURNOCOPY (2024-04-18) by Edward James Jardín Escultórico Edward James, Las Pozas
Among the structures that make up the work built by the team of artist-builders led by the poet Edward James, the one that stands out most for its unique architectural form is known as The Cornucopia.
Three of the five horns (2024-04-18) by Edward James Jardín Escultórico Edward James, Las Pozas
The structure consists of nine vertical columns, five of which are crowned with horns of varying sizes, the largest being in the center. The tips of these horns rest on the column, while the bases face the viewer, creating a shape reminiscent of a fountain or lantern.
Lower Horns (2024-04-18) by Edward James Jardín Escultórico Edward James, Las Pozas
Four other horns rest their tips on a crossbar that joins the nine columns, while the body rests on vertical columns, ending with the base facing upwards.
DEFYING GRAVITY (2024-04-18) by EDWARD JAMES Jardín Escultórico Edward James, Las Pozas
The curvature of the columns supporting the upper horns gives the appearance of a question mark. A square crossbar rests on this curved line. Finally, the columns supporting the lower horns show diagonal inclinations.
Curnocopia detail (2024-04-18) by Edward James Jardín Escultórico Edward James, Las Pozas
Located next to what used to be the carpentry workshop, precisely where master carpenter José Aguilar and his young assistant, Alberto Ramírez Hernández, made the formwork that molded the concrete for the structures.
This piece captures attention because of the details that can be seen reflected in the concrete.
Cornucopia formwork (2024-04-18) by Edward James Jardín Escultórico Edward James, Las Pozas
The wooden strips that make up the formwork were hand-carved and assembled one by one.
The centering of La Cornucopia stands out in particular due to the complexity of its details; the way it was assembled gives the appearance of a spine.
The concave, groove-like shapes that Don José gave to the wood can be seen imprinted on the horns.
The horns also show an inward curve; however, the Cimbrateca collection does not contain any record of the formwork used to create this visual effect.
CIMBRATECA PROJECT: The Essence of a Legacy
Pedro and Elena Hernández Foundation A.C.
Edward James Sculpture Garden, Las Pozas
Director: Mariana Pascual Cáceres
Administration: Esmeralda Martínez Martínez
Deputy Director of Operations: Juan José López Ríos
Cimbrateca, Conservation and Restoration: Edgar Medina Almazán, Luis Eduardo Reyes Rodríguez
Thanks to the Garden's staff for sharing their anecdotes and to the Citibanamex Development, Art and Culture (DAC) program for its support.
Production: La Espira Producciones
General Director: Adriana Romero Moreno (Adrelll Romero)
General Production: Mauro Nares
Still Photography: José Antonio Guerrero Martín del Campo
Unit Producer: Natalia Melo
Cinematography: Fernando Cadena Lira
Sound Recording: Artemio Dionicio Peña
Google Arts & Culture Development: Arnulfo Fuentes Domínguez
Editing: Luitza Sandoval González
Texts: Aldo Robinson Butzman Suárez (Aldo Robinson)
Homage to the community, nature and surrealist art.
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