One a Day – 108 Two for One
Pixels Horizontal
Pixels Vertical
- Textiles del Mundo Maya, A.C. es una pequeña agrupación de San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas
- Shown at Casona Rosa
- Centro Histórico, Morelia, Michoacán, México
- May 23, 2013
- Copyright, all rights reserved
I decided to show these two together because – they are meant to be a pair. I took the two versions imagining them as two framed prints, hanging near each other in the same way someone might use an abstract painting – to bring color and imagination into a space.
This fabric is in fact very special. If you look closely at either picture you will see that there are two different layers of color. A vivid red under pins the bands of color that are surfaced over it. It shows through in specific places – like where a deep blue was used. From a distance, the effect of the two colors close together subtly gives the blue a purple cast. In the yellow row, it leads a slightly orange cast and increases the vibrancy of the color. In every row, except the white and the black, the red base provides a special lift to the textile. But, remember – this is not a bit of highly stylized, modern art interpreted in fabric. It is in fact, a very old technique that has been applied very carefully to a specific set of colors by an artist in weaving.
My intent in showing these is to highlight the art in them and lend them the benefits that I can from digital photography, especially when they are shown just as pieces of abstract art. I have several more to show. I hope you will enjoy them.
My special thanks to Violeta Mendoza, of La Cruz – Textiles Artesanales and Textiles del Mundo Maya, who allowed me to photograph these textiles. Her collection is very special and she puts a lot of passion into her selection of pieces. She has pieces from all over the Mayan world, which now spans Southern Mexico and Guatemala. In little pueblos in this region, there are still artists, plying their craft much as their ancestors did centuries ago. I know she has a shop in Patzcuaro, so perhaps she will allow me to take more one of these days – with a little more planning.
As I sit here writing this, I am enjoying another treasure of the ancient world, a fresh tamale. The masa is light and moist, not dry and doughy. The bits of green chile in the chile verde are not blended to paste, they are still individual bits. giving flavor but not over riding the natural flavor of the masa. I was so happy when I heard the low-throated drone of his recorded announcement in front of our apartments.
Enjoy your day!