LUGARES MAGAZINE Nro. 66
Page. 76 - 79
Text: Soledad Gil


It all began with a tapestry. Héctor Cruz was 19 years old then and had a vague idea about usina his skills to reinterpret the imperial past of his forebears in his own distinctive 20th century style. His first work was in the hotel at the Quilmes rums, a marvel of Tucumán Province that previously had nowhere for visitors to stay, but now has its very own hotel. This project was only a sample, a demonstration of what his original concept could have included; clay pottery, a swimming pool, large open areas, cactus, sculptures and stone walls to reflect those of the ruined pucará (hill fort). He followed this with the Museo de la Pachamama in Amaicha del Valle, 18 km from Quilmes. This time the 10,000 sq. metres were his own and the challenge even greater. But Cruz came out triumphant, amongst the archaeological, anthropological and historical rooms and the statues of the Chaman Indians and gods he was able to reflect the solemn essence of the northern provinces. He complemented this with an 80-room hotel clad entirely in stone (his trademark) that he will be opening shortly. "And, as I never become too attached to my projects, I am already thinking of my next undertaking", he says. He plans over the next two years to have completed the largest tapestry in the world (150m x 10m), which represents scenes of the Calchaqui Indian battles, and a special building to hold it, located in Salta, near Yesera. But don't worry because you wilt hear about it for sure. Cruz never goes unnoticed.