Speeches and Patrimonial Representations Stressed by Contemporary Art: the Artworks Funa, Souvenir and Ekeko by Bernardo Oyarzún

Abstract

This article reviews three pieces of art by the Chilean artist Bernardo Oyarzún —Funa, Souvenir and Ekeko— as an example of the possibilities offered by contemporary art to critically analyze the discourses and patrimonial representations, both in the nationalist paradigm, expressed in monuments of national heroes, and in a post nationalist paradigm, evidenced in sacred objects of indigenous cultures transformed into consumption and touristic objects. Finally, it is postulated that in this critical view the concepts of heritage, memory and human rights are combined.