The house was like an eclectic museum frozen in the seventies, filled with the avant garde items of that era which are now as outdated as dippity-do. Every inch of every wall covered with art, each piece having its own story. Secret doors, carvings from exotic islands, pottery from Portugal, glassware from Mexico, relics from French ships, portraits of his lovers, a push button phone, his Nobel prize and other honors. The house being the museum-home of Pablo Nedura.
But two items caught my eye–his salt and pepper shakers, labeled morphine and marijuana, to shake up his guests. You could purchase replicas of these in the gift shop. But his Nobel prize for writing? A Nobel prize is something not for sale.
Pictures were not allowed in Nedura’s home, forcing you to absorb the experience with your entire being. Even though Nedura was poisoned a few days after the political coup on September 11 1973, his vibrancy still bounces off the walls of his home. Read more.
Pablo Nedura, along with writing poems about everyday objects like a tomatoes and old socks, wrote the Cantos General, (General’s Song), the words becoming a battle cry to the Chilean people. The song contains verses that deplore oil companies such as Standard Oil and other entities that were unraveling the fabric of Chilean culture.
Can a poet really change the course of a country, really unite the people? Is that the problem in America, that we need Dr. Seuss to run the country?
After Nedura died, thousands of citizens disobeyed curfews and flooded the street to join his funeral procession.
Other art is on Santiago’s streets. The smell of aerosol paint permeates neighborhoods like Bellavista.
In Santiago, you can also visit the Museum of Contemporary Art, which is otherwise known as I’m Glad This Museum Was Free. Just like quantum physics, modern art is something I don’t understand. Move over Mona Lisa…a bunion is ready to compete with your smile.
The most important museum in Santiago is the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, which corrects the painful history of Chile to tell the truth….instead of the way Pinochet’s regime wanted it to be told.
Some exhibits in the Human Rights Museum are emotionally tolling. They contain accounts of victims being tortured or children’s drawings. The museum didn’t have a warning sign like what was near the dangling feet at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Be prepared to be changed.
Post-it Note Art
Gabriela Mistral is also a beloved poet from Chile. Her words also stirred the hearts of the people. Many of the notes contain messages from fans. See these notes before they lose their stick at the GAM…Centro Gabriela Mistral in Santiago.
Between feeding my creativity, I fueled at my favorite vegan restaurant, Catapilcana. I snapped this photo of the waitress’s reflection being trapped in a bunny mirror.
Seems like it belongs in Nedura’s home…right next to his salt shakers.
Wow. Such an interesting city. The plaque discussing dictatorship could, unfortunately, be displayed today in America.
Unfortunately, the similarities were unnerving.
Love your writing and news of your adventures. I’d vote for Dr. Suess!