Cartonería
Cartonería or papier-mâché sculptures are a traditional handcraft in Mexico. The papier-mâché works are also called "carton piedra" (rock cardboard) for the rigidness of the final product.[1] These sculptures today are generally made for certain yearly celebrations, especially for the Burning of Judas during Holy Week and various decorative items for Day of the Dead. However, they also include piñatas, mojigangas, masks, dolls and more made for various other occasions. There is also a significant market for collectors as well. Papier-mâché was introduced into Mexico during the colonial period, originally to make items for church. Since then, the craft has developed, especially in central Mexico. In the 20th century, the creation of works by Mexico City artisans Pedro Linares and Carmen Caballo Sevilla were recognized as works of art with patrons such as Diego Rivera. The craft has become less popular with more recent generations, but various government and cultural institutions work to preserve it.
History
Cartonería, the making of three-dimensional sculptures with papier-mâché, is part of Mexico's tradition of paper based handcrafts.[2] Paper was developed in the region during the Mesoamerican period using the bark of a type of fig tree called amate or the fibers of the maguey plant. The Spanish banned its production after the Conquest, because of its use in religious rites, forcing the conversion to European and Asian produced paper. However, the ban never was complete and the production of amate paper still continues especially in parts of Puebla and Veracruz states.[3]
A kind of "proto-cartonería" was done in the early colonial period. At this time, layers of paper were affixed using animal glue to make versions of religious icons to be used in processions.[4]
Modern papier-mâché was introduced into Mexico around the 17th century as a way to make objects for churches with its use most developed in central Mexico.[1][2] In Celaya, the creation of these figures became a trade much the way metalwork and pottery did, with the work dominated by certain families.[1] Since this time, the technique has been used to make a wide variety of objects for both ritual, festival and decorative use, mostly by poorer indigenous and mestizo communities.[1][3] The paper and cardboard used is mostly waste paper, such as old newspapers and boxes, with decorative elements, such as crepe paper being new.[2][5] Most shapes are created with molds, then painted with acrylics.[5]
Most of the production since colonial times has followed the annual calendar of religious and civic events. Today, this includes figures of horses with wheels for Epiphany, figures of Judas Iscariot to burn for Holy Saturday, parrots for May and clowns for June. For the feast of John the Evangelist, traditional figures include ponies, clowns and dolls with movable legs and arms. For Independence Day in September, objects include play helmets and swords, along with images of eagles and Father Hidalgo. Day of the Dead produces figures such as skeletons which "dance" when dangled on the end of a string, skulls and coffins, with Christmas producing nativity scenes and traditional piñatas with points.[3][5] Year round production includes piñatas for birthday parties, which usually represent figures from popular culture as well as mojigangas, masks, alebrijes and dolls.[6] There is also a significant market for items created for collectors.[5]
Mexico City has the best known production of cartonería, with markets such as
Cartonería work received a boost from the work of 20th century artisans such as
While cartonería figures such as piñatas, alebrijes and skeletons are well-known, one type of figure, dolls has not maintained it popularity as much. The Miss Lupita project was founded by artista Carolina Esparragoza of Mexico City to rescue and promote the making of dolls of cartonería as well as other figures such as lucha libre figures, mermaids, and even Godzillas. The project involves a number of artisans in Mexico which make, promote and give workshops on the making of these doll figures. In 2011, Esparragoza traveled to Japan to give workshops and exhibit figures made in relation to the project at the Sokei Academy and the Sagio Plaza Gallery in Tokyo.[13]
Piñatas
While piñatas are found at parties year round, they are most traditional for the Christmas season, especially during the weeks prior when "posadas" are celebrated. These posadas reenact the search of Joseph and Mary for a place to stay before giving birth to Jesus. The piñata came to Mexico from Europe during the colonial period, although the practice of breaking a container with treats inside originated in Asia. In Mexico, the tradition is that of an old pot with decorations with seasonal fruit, candy and other prizes for children, with these children taking turns to try and break the piñatas while blindfolded. Today, most piñatas are made with cartonería and decorated with crepe paper and other items. The most traditional shape is that of a star with five to nine points. However, for other occasions, such as birthdays, piñatas often are the shape of animals, clowns and figures from popular culture.[3]
Burning of Judas
One of the more important traditions associated with cartonería in Mexico is that of the Burning of Judas on Holy Saturday.
There is one notable artisan of Judas figures, Carmen Caballero Sevillas in Mexico City. She originally created and sold her work at the
Judas figures are still produced and burned in places such as Mexico City, Celaya,
Mojigangas
Similar to those used in traditional festivals in some parts of Europe and Asia, mojigangas are giant papier-mâché figures worn by dancers which can be found in Mexico. Like the Judas figures, these are hollow with wicker frames covered in papier-mâché then painted and decorated. The figures have oversized heads and small bodies which are often of devils, angels or male/female figures. One of the best known mojigangas in Mexico are those that are in the opening parade of the Guelaguetza festival in Oaxaca .[3]
Toritos
Toritos (little bulls) are wood or wicker frames with papier-mâché built in the form of a bull with a tall towers on its back. This tower then holds a quantity of fireworks. During festivals, this bull figure is carried by one or more persons and the fireworks are set off. Areas where this tradition is strong includes Cuetzalan in the north of Puebla state and San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato.[3]
Day of the Dead
Day of the Dead creates a large demand for various paper crafts, mostly to adorn altars to family members and others who have died.[3] Traditional markets fill with various kinds of decorations for the holiday, especially candies, papel picado and cartonería figures.[14]
One major figure done in cartonería for Day of the Dead is the "Catrina" a skeletal woman dressed in the finery of the late 19th century. She is the creation of
The Linares family and alebrijes
The best known cartonería enterprise is that of the Linares family in Mexico City, with an international reputation for forms such as skeletons, skulls, Judas figures and fantastical creatures called "alebrijes."
Despite questions as to whether the tradition would make it into the succeeding generation, not only do Pedro Linares' three sons dedicate themselves to the craft full-time, three grandsons are also involved in the family business and have made their own innovations such as skeletons depicting prostitutes, drug addicts and sports participants.[8] For Day of the Dead in 1986, Felipe Linares was commissioned to commemorate the 1985 Mexico City earthquake. This resulted in called "La Muerte Tembloroso" (Death in Tremors) with over fifty life sized skeletons to represent key incidents with figures such as firemen, victims under rubble, injured people, soldiers and even a looter with a television set. One figure commemorates a person known as "El Pulga" (the flea) a skinny rescuer known for going into small spaces under collapsed buildings. The work was controversial at the time, but it was also used to raise money for the victims in Europe.[8][14] The family continues to work in various spaces all located a few blocks behind the Sonora Market in Mexico City.[14] The business relies heavily on an apprenticeship system to allow for a "common visual language." This allows the various family members to work on parts of a large scale order but for all the pieces to fit together as a whole at the end.[8] The family works collectively to produce not only individual orders, but also major works for institutions such as "The Atomic Apocalypse" piece created for the
The two most common themes in the Linares' work are the animated skeleton and the alebrije. Both are based on the forms and techniques used to make Judas figures and there are early works by the families of human Judas figures with animal heads and wings.
The Day of the Dead season is the busiest for the Linares Family, with interest in the holiday in the United States and Europe translating to even more business for the enterprise.[14] Their animated skeletons are known for their variety with those that dance, ride skateboards and do any number of common occupations past and present such as streetcar driver.[8] They produce multicolored cardboard and paper skulls in various sizes although the most common is about 75 cm tall. These skulls have various themes such as Don Quixote, street vendors of various types, bullfighters and figures from popular culture. They also make a version to imitate the sugar skulls created for Day of the Dead, which are profusely decorated with flowers, birds and other items.[3] Their work has stood out for its ability to reinvent classic themes of Mexican cartonería.[8]
See also
External links
For the Miss Lupita Project [1] and [2]
References
- ^ a b c d Rafael Soldara Luna; Alicia Méndez Juárez. "La cartonería de Celaya" [Cartonería of Celaya] (in Spanish). Mexico: Museo de Celaya. Retrieved February 2, 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d "The Art of Cartonería — December 2009" (Press release). Exploratorium. December 1, 2009. Archived from the original on June 12, 2010. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Herrera, José. "Papel y cartonería" [Paper and cartonería] (in Spanish). Mexico: Universidad Veracruzana. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
- ISBN 9780764358340.
- ^ a b c d e "Cartonería. Judas y calaveras" [Cartonería: Judas and skulls]. Sistema de Información Cultural (in Spanish). Mexico: CONACULTA. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f Martha Valdespino (April 10, 1998). "Es expresion popular la quema del traidor" [Burning the traitor is a popular expression]. Reforma (in Spanish). Mexico City. p. 19.
- ^ a b c d e f Fabiola Palapa Quijas (April 7, 2009). "Llama a revalorar la cartonería de Carmen Caballero" [Call to revalue the cartonería of Carmen Caballero]. La Jornada (in Spanish). Mexico City: UNAM. p. 4. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Masuoka, Susan (January 1995). "Artful Sculptors of Whimsy". Américas. 47 (1): 28–35.
- ^ "Darán curso de cartonería en Museo Diego Rivera" [Will give course in cartonería in the Diego Rivera Museum]. El Universal (in Spanish). Mexico City. May 21, 2010.
- ^ "Abren cursos sobre cartonería mexicana" [Open courses about Mexican cartonería]. Milenio (in Spanish). Mexico City. March 22, 2011. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
- ^ Eduardo Velasco (October 9, 2001). "Preparan jovenes llegada de difuntos" [Preparing youth for the arrival of the dead]. Reforma (in Spanish). Mexico City. p. 7.
- ^ Jorge Lopez (January 14, 2012). "Dedican vida a dar al cartón personalidad" [Dedicate life to giving paper personality]. Reforma (in Spanish). Mexico City. p. 15.
- ^ Fabiola Palapa Quijas (February 19, 2011). "Muñeca de cartón representará nuestra cultura popular en Japón" [Paper maché doll representing our culture popular in Japan]. La Jornada (in Spanish). Mexico City. p. 2. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Lisa Nunez Hancock (November 2, 2004). "Artisan family constructs objects referred to Day of the Dead". NoticiasFinancieras. Miami. p. 1.
- ^ a b Sarayd Luna (November 8, 2002). "Una ofrenda de arte" [An altar of art]. Reforma (in Spanish). Mexico City. p. 14.
- ^ "Jóvenes de Tultepec elaboran catrina de 15 metros para festival" [Youth in Tultepec create a fifteen meter tall Catrina for festival]. El Universal (in Spanish). Mexico City. October 27, 2011. p. 1.
- ^ Juan Carlos Garda; Leticia Sanchez (October 30, 1997). "Ofrendan a sus muertos con tradicion del carton" [Make offerings to their dead with cartonería tradition]. Reforma (in Spanish). Mexico City. p. 1.
- ^ Nurvarit Vazquez (December 12, 2011). "Impulsa arte fantástico" [Spurring fantastic art]. Reforma (in Spanish). Mexico City. p. 28.