Sculptures at El Paso airport celebrate culture, Mexican Aztec dog of the gods

If you love art that celebrates culture, visit the El Paso International Airport to see the new exhibition “El Imperio Ancestral Del Xoloitzcuintle.”

Thirty-one colorful fiberglass sculptures of the Mexican dog breed Xoloitzcuintle were unveiled Wednesday morning by Borderland dignitaries including El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser and Consul General of Mexico in El Paso Mauricio Ibarra Ponce de León. In English, the exhibition’s title means “The Ancestral Empire of the Xoloitzcuintle.”

According to the American Kennel Club, “the 3,000-year-old Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced ‘show-low-eats-QUEENT-lee’),” was recognized by the AKC in 2011 and is the ancient Aztec dog of the gods. The club says that the breed is a loving companion and vigilant watchdog that comes in three sizes and in both hairless and coated varieties.

According to a news release by the city of El Paso, each of the sculptures at the airport at 6701 Convair Road was painted by participating artists and “were created through a collaborative process, with prototypes designed by sculptor Oscar Zamarripa and produced by artist Gilberto Ortega.”

Most of the sculptures are in the airport’s lobby across from the main entrance, with a few more further back on the first floor by the east side patio doors.

The artwork will remain on display through Nov. 1.

The exhibition is presented by the collective KALPIXKI-ART and features the work of 23 artists from El Paso’s sister city, Juárez, Mexico, and Guadalajara, Mexico. Juárez is across the Rio Grande from El Paso.

“We are honored to host ‘El Imperio Ancestral Del Xoloitzcuintle’ at the El Paso International Airport. This exhibit showcases Mexico’s rich cultural heritage and strengthens the artistic ties of our region,” Leeser said in the news release. “We are especially grateful for the partnership with Consul General of Mexico in El Paso Mauricio Ibarra Ponce de León, whose support was key in bringing this extraordinary display to our City.”

At Wednesday’s ceremony, Leeser praised the consul general’s relationship with El Paso and wished him a happy birthday, saying he’d sing him happy birthday afterward.

Leeser said he had been practicing the pronunciation for the exhibition, joking that he knew he got the “cholo” part right.

The exhibition previously was displayed at the Museum of the Revolution on the Border in Juárez and the Consulate General of Mexico in El Paso.

Seventeen artists from Juárez and six from Guadalajara worked on the sculptures, including Sergio Betancourt, Alfredo Espinoza and Benito Santos, the news release said.

Manuel Tejada Gutiérrez, director of event and performance venue Casa Martino in Juárez, came up with the idea for the exhibition, the news release said.