February 7, 2017
A Visit to Manzana 1
Twice in
the last week, I have visited the Manzana 1.
Before I told you it was a plaza connected to the main plaza, Plaza 24
de Septiembre, and I told you it was an open-air art gallery whose name means
Apple 1. I was totally wrong about the
interpretation of the name.
A former
missionary to the SCCLC, who reads my blog, wrote me that manzana has more than
one meaning. Yes, manzana means
apple. I have heard of Buenos Aires
being called the Gran Manzana, so I always equated that with New York being
called the Big Apple. Another definition
of manzana is block, as in a city block.
So Manzana 1 is actually City Block 1, signifying it is the center of
the city. Maybe Buenos Aires’ nickname
means the big city block.
Manzana 1
was created in 2005, when the old National Police Building, which was
considered a cultural heritage site, was repurposed as a center of art. I haven’t discovered all there is to this
place, just the outer covering. Over the
next months, as I return, I hope to uncover a bit more with each visit.
Basically
it is a backwards “L” with the Cathedral on the east and the old police
building on the west and north. Inside
the building is the Manzana 1 Espacio de Arte, Art Gallery. It is a place where Santa Cruz displays the
works of local artists. I have seen the
art changed every month or two. I will
never say I am a big fan of modern art, but I have learned that it is often a
reflection of the culture it stems from.
I think I need to study the art at the Manzana 1 a little more to understand
the culture of Santa Cruz.
The Plaza
itself has several statues, a famous singer and a pig. There is also a mural depicting the
indigenous culture of Bolivia. There are
two interesting fountains and lots of benches to relax with your friends.
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