Using small palmfuls of white sand, David García meticulously disperses them over the unfinished flower. Beside him, under a large canopy, Ezequiel de León carries out the same task with black sand, creating the backdrop for the forthcoming figure representing death.
Under the careful eye of Domingo González, both artists are putting the finishing touches on the Grand Carpet of Plaza del Ayuntamiento in honour of Corpus Christi, meticulously crafted with natural sands from Teide National Park.
They work almost in silence, amidst the gaze of numerous spectators who arrive to admire and capture photographs of the intricate artwork. Each one engrossed in that small space portraying ‘The Gates of Heaven’, the chosen theme for this year.
A sky painted in diverse hues leading towards faith, the humanization of people, the transition from hatred that incites wars and violence to empathy and humility. “It’s a place we all aspire to reach, perhaps because we are unfamiliar with it. Hence, the depiction of a compartmentalised yet open sky with spaces divided by white lines symbolizing purity, while grand angels watch over a group of cherubs playing among the clouds,” explains González.
The director aimed to illustrate how children and young people should relish their childhood, innocence, and youth while being surrounded and safeguarded by adults.
The cherubs were crafted by the youngest members of the group, who had never before sculpted human figures, “making it a rather challenging feat that deserves utmost appreciation,” notes the director.
As for the larger figures placed on the sides, five different hands were tasked with the job. “This complexity underscores the value of teamwork,” stresses González.
A total of 17 individuals – the youngest being 14 years old – have been juggling their professional and educational commitments over the past two months to engage in crafting the Grand Carpet. With the exception of him and Ezequiel, who have permanent roles at the Perdigón Municipal Art School and the City Hall, the others join in whenever possible, with every minute being precious.
It’s nearly impossible to tally the hours of artistic dedication each person has put into the Blessed Sacrament, but collectively, the team’s efforts could amount to around 3,000 hours over the nearly two months since the carpet’s inception.
According to González, every step of the process presents its challenges. “The larger figures are quite intricate, which is why we have two expert craftsmen, Ezequiel and Jesús Bautista Trujillo, working on them. David, renowned for his flower craftsmanship, also lends his expertise,” he explains. These last two carpet artisans are celebrating half a century dedicated to the Grand Carpet this year.
“There are details people may overlook but are imperative, as a well-crafted face requires meticulous planning of its surroundings,” he remarks.
With only five days until Corpus Christi Thursday, the town is gearing up to showcase its globally renowned fleeting art form, with the Grand Carpet nearly completed save for some finishing touches and minor hitches such as a shortage of yellow and green sands. “These are challenging to procure, but with our reserves, we’ve managed to cope well,” reveals González.
The provision of a large tent, the largest in history, covering the entire square has facilitated the carpet artisans’ work, providing them with more security. “As work progresses on the design, the tent offers comfort and protection from rain, enabling us to advance significantly and witness the near completion of the carpet,” shares the director.
Following last year’s unfortunate incident where a prolonged downpour destroyed almost two-thirds of the carpet, resulting in irreparable damage, precautions have been taken this year to prevent a recurrence.
“That’s why it’s crucial to have most of the work done, as the tent will be dismantled on Tuesday, a process that also requires time. There remains very little to complete on the carpet’s exterior,” mentions González.
Although this year’s weather forecast hints at a possibility of rain on Wednesday, if the director’s timeline holds, the Grand Carpet may well be finished ahead of schedule.
