Vicki Conley

Kiva
When recently visiting Aztec National Monument in northern New Mexico, I was mesmerized by the large rebuilt kiva at this historical site. The kiva was the center of spiritual activity for these people. When asked, the park rangers said the new kiva ceiling had been constructed as closely as possible like the original. When excavating the site, large sections of the original ceiling had fallen in and served as a model for an accurate reconstruction. As I gazed at the beautiful pattern in the ceiling and extraordinary workmanship, I wondered what happened to the ancient ones. They had a thriving culture spread all over the southwestern United States, from small farming communities to large cultural centers, but by the late 1200s they were gone. Scientists try to explain their sudden disappearance but theories change. They came, they built, they thrived, and they moved on. Exploring their vacated home, I was inspired to design a quilt that incorporated the intricate patterns in their kivas as a way to explore this shifting of time.