PACHAKUTI (2002–2003)
EAF Exhibition, Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City, NYC
Inspired by the vibrant saris of women in Rajasthan, India, PACHAKUTI brings bursts of color to the winter landscape of the northeastern United States, when the environment is typically devoid of vibrancy. The work consists of 50 trees wrapped with three miles of rope, dyed in bold hues, with 35 precisely leveled horizontal lines painted on each tree at varying heights. The installation was designed to highlight and animate the barren landscape during the cold months.
PACHAKUTI was conceived in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, while Jennifer Zackin lived near Ground Zero in New York City. Its title, a Quechua word meaning “world reversal,” reflects the upheaval of that time and connects to Zackin's early experiences in Peru. During this period, she began visiting Peru regularly, a connection that has deepened over the years. Zackin and her husband, a native of Cusco, now run an artist residency program in the Sacred Valley of Cusco.
Peru and India are deeply connected through their highland cultures—the Andes in Peru and the Himalayas in India—as well as the enduring presence of ancient traditions in modern times. Zackin's palette, influenced by the vibrant festival clothing of both countries, first embraced these colors in PACHAKUTI.
Commissioned by Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City, NYC, PACHAKUTI was featured in the 2002 EAF Exhibition at the park and serves as a meditation on resilience, transformation, and cultural connection.