Audiovisual installation in Mexico City against GM corn

Aztec gods against GMOs

Recently, many “green” activists fear the onset of genetically modified foods. To enlist the support of Mexican corn growers, design studio Maizz Visual created Dioses del Maiz, an audiovisual installation that looks like the faces of ancient pre-Hispanic corn gods atop four trees in Mexico City's Parque Park.


Aztec gods against GMOs



Perhaps nowhere else in the world is corn so hotly debated as in Mexico, where corn was first domesticated 8,000 years ago. Corn is not only a staple of Mexican cuisine, but it also has profound religious, social and cultural significance.



Aztec gods against GMOs



To meet the growing demand for maize in the face of an ever-growing population, Mexico is now importing a significant amount of maize from the United States, particularly from Monsanto, the world’s leading supplier of genetically modified foods. Although the country is in a heated debate over the use of transgenic corn, a Mexican court banned the cultivation of genetically modified corn in Mexico last September. Monsanto is currently challenging the ruling.



Aztec gods against GMOs



While proponents of transgenic maize cite the benefits of increased yields through higher resistance to herbicides, drought and pest insects, critics warn that genetically modified maize is jeopardizing crop diversity and the Mexican maize cult. Critics also warn that allowing Monsanto to implement its plans to plant 2.5 million hectares of GMO corn would effectively open the door to mega-corporation privatization of the corn seed market.



Aztec gods against GMOs



The audiovisual installation of Maizz Visual was made to convey to the public the concerns of critics about genetically modified corn. Eight monumental 3D faces depicting pre-Hispanic gods associated with the corn harvest were installed on the trees of Mexico City Park for two nights in front of thousands of spectators.



Aztec gods against GMOs



So, against GMO products now protest Kosiho first and second, the water gods of the Zapotecs; Tlaloc first and second, the water gods of the Aztecs and Olmec Quetzalcoatl, the god who gave the first corn seed to the Aztecs; Chalchiutlicue, the goddess of fresh water and the Aztec corn harvest; and Shilonen, the goddess of the young Aztec corn.

Source: www.ecobyt.ru/