MARFA — Last week, stonemason Hector Santos announced the completion of his sculpture, Fitting In (IV) Agua de Vida (Water of Life), next to Carmen’s Boutique Hotel.
Fitting In (IV) Agua de Vida is an homage to women. The main shape is of a drop of water, and inside is the silhouette of a woman. Santos said he chose the combined imagery because both water and women are essential for life; we can’t survive without water and are born from women. The sculpture is constructed of recycled concrete, which was hauled out of the Marfa landfill, and from renovations at the old Marfa Meats location.
Agua de Vida is a self-funded sculpture designed to be interactive so a person can “fit in” the piece to have their picture taken and be part of the sculpture. The surrounding area has benches and will be landscaped, designed to be a public installation and create a community space. “I think it’s important to have public art that people can interact with,” Santos said. “Most art is viewed from a distance and can’t be touched. I also like the fact that by building this sculpture in Marfa it will add to the town, add to a visitor’s experience and be a community space.”
In April 2022, Santos was driving from California to his home in Vermont after completing his third Fitting In sculpture in Joshua Tree. He took a detour through Marfa, a place he had heard about and always wanted to visit. When he arrived in town, he said he was immediately taken by the slow pace, the ability to walk everywhere, the creativity of the town, and friendly people. He knew right away that this would be a good place for his fourth sculpture. When Santos got back to Vermont, he put a classified advertisement in The Big Bend Sentinel looking for a space to construct a sculpture. After several weeks, he got a call from Elsie Abrams, the owner of Carmen’s Boutique Hotel. Santos designed the sculpture, presented it to Elsie, and in October of 2022 they met up in Marfa to discuss details. On March 29, 2024, Santos broke ground and construction began. The sculpture is next to the hotel on 317 East San Antonio Street.
Agua De Vida is the fourth of the Fitting In series. The first Fitting In is located in Woodstock, Vermont, and is constructed entirely of stone and copper. Fitting In (II) is made of poured concrete and reclaimed slate shingles. It was trucked across the country and resides in Ojai, California. Fitting In (III) is constructed of reclaimed concrete, wood timbers and copper and is in the courtyard of the Art Queen complex in Joshua Tree, California.
Santos said he is first and foremost a practical stonemason — his work typically consists of walls, steps and patios, but his passion for sculpture is what pushes his creativity. “I love doing sculpture, but practical stone masonry is what pays the bills,” he said.
Santos grew up in Northampton, Massachusetts, and moved to a commune in the Turners Falls/Gill area when he was 11. The commune was alive with art, design, music and construction. Santos said he was heavily influenced by all of that activity which gave him lots of inspiration. He resides in Vermont but would like to become a resident of Marfa.