Opening this spring at the Asheville Art Museum, Pedro Lasch’s Coatlicue & Las Meninas: The Stanford Edition explores the intersection of European and pre-Columbian art. Using the mirror as both a literal and metaphorical device, Lasch delves into the complexities of presence and absence, colonial histories, and the politics of visibility. By superimposing works of art from early modern Europe with prominent pre-Columbian sculptures, Lasch creates an eerie, spectral presence in his reflective surfaces, encouraging deep reflection on these intertwined histories. The exhibition’s centerpiece is Lasch’s latest creation — a 10-foot black mirror that merges Diego Velázquez’s Las Meninas (1656) with the imposing figure of the Mexica deity Coatlicue. This striking installation invites viewers to contemplate the movement of people, ideas, and objects across time and space, while also questioning the value we place on cultural artifacts. As part of a broader national initiative, the exhibition seeks to spark conversations about migration, community, and the lasting effects of colonialism.
Coatlicue & Las Meninas: The Stanford Edition: April 16–July 13
Judith S. Moore Gallery / Asheville Art Museum, 2 South Pack Square, Asheville / ashevilleart.org