Alebrijes_of_Oaxaca Alebrije

1 alebrijes of oaxaca

1.1 development of craft in oaxaca
1.2 carving process
1.3 copal wood
1.4 san martin tilcajete
1.5 arrazola
1.6 la unión tejalapan

alebrijes of oaxaca

alebrije el ciclo de oaxaca jacobo , maria angeles on display @ museo estatal de artes populares de oaxaca in san bartolo coyotepec.


development of craft in oaxaca

butterfly man francisca calva of oaxaca

many rural households in mexican state of oaxaca have prospered on past 3 decades through sale of brightly painted, whimsical wood carvings call alebrijes international tourists , owners of ethnic arts shops in united states, canada, , europe. called “alebrijes” in oaxaca marriage of native woodcarving traditions , influence pedro linares’ work in mexico city.

pedro linares méxico city (distrito federal). in 1980s, british filmmaker, judith bronowski, arranged itinerant demonstration workshop in u.s.a. participating pedro linares, manuel jiménez , textil artisan maria sabina oaxaca. although oaxaca valley area had history of carving animal , other types of figures wood, @ time, when bronowski s workshop took place when artisans oaxaca knew alebrijes paper mache sculptures. linares’ designs adapted carving of local wood called copal. oaxaca valley area had history of carving animal , other types of figures wood, , linares’ designs adapted carving of local wood called copal. adaptation pioneered arrazola native manuel jiménez. version of craft has since spread number of other towns, notably san martín tilcajete , la unión tejalapan, become major source of income area, tilcajete. success of craft, however, has led depletion of native copal trees. attempts remedy this, reforestation efforts , management of wild copal trees has had limited success. 3 towns closely associated alebrije production in oaxaca have produced number of notable artisans such manuel jiménez, jacobo angeles, martin sandiego, julia fuentes , miguel sandiego. 1 of important things fantastical creatures carved of wood every piece removable, s how can tell have piece carved 1 of original great carvers. later carvers didn t learn technique of making each piece fit removed , put in again , again. pieces have more tripled in value. painting on these figures more intense , varied. first copy fantastic forms , bright colors manuel jiménez, carved figures in local copal wood rather using paper. animal figures had been carved in central valleys area of oaxaca zapotecs since pre-hispanic period. totems of local animals carved luck or religious purposes hunting decoys. figures carved children toys, tradition continued 20th century. after craft became popular in arrazola, spread tilcajete , there number of other communities, , 3 main communities are, san antonino arrazola, san martin tilcajete , la union tejalapam, each of has developed own style. carving of wood figures did not have name, name “alebrije” became adopted carved, brightly colored figure of copal wood, whether of real animal or not. make distinction, carvings of fantastic creatures, closer linares’ alebrijes, called “marcianos” (lit. martians) . oaxacan alebrijes have eclipsed mexico city version, large number of stores in , around city of oaxaca selling pieces, , estimated more 150 families in same area make living making figures.

woodcarving, along other crafts in oaxaca, grew in importance state opened tourism. started in 1940s pan-american highway , has continued day construction of more roads, airports , other transportation coincided rising prosperity of u.s. , canada making mexico affordable exotic vacation. oaxacan woodcarving began bought in 1960s hippies. prior 1980s, of woodcarvings natural , spiritual world of communities, featuring farm animals, farmers, angels , like. these pieces, referred rustic (nistico), carved , painted in simple manner. later known alebrijes, carvers such manuel jimenez of arrazola, isadoro cruz of tilcajete , martin sandiego of la union began carving animals youths, while doing other chores such tending sheep. 1960s , 1970s, these carvers had enough of reputation sell work in city of oaxaca. more dealers shipping other parts of mexico , abroad visited rural villages, more exotic animals such lions, elephants , added, , came dominate trade. eventually, traditional paints gave way acrylics well. development encouraged woodcarving artisans’ contests held state of oaxaca in 1970s, encouraged carvers try new ideas in order win prizes , sell pieces state museums.

manuel jimenez 1 of creations

in 1970s , 1980s, carvers in 3 villages sold pieces store owners in oaxaca, 1 carver, manuel jimenez, carving full-time. other carvers used craft supplement incomes farming , wage labor. considered male occupation. in mid-1980s, influence of linares alebrijes becoming popular , wholesalers , store owners united states, began deal artisans in oaxaca directly. desire of foreign merchants non-indigenous animals , newly popular alebrijes affected market. 1990, woodcarving had begun boom households in arrazola , tilcajete earning @ least part of income craft. la union less successful in attracting dealers , tourists. boom had dramatic economic effect, shifting economies of arrazola , tilcajete away farming , towards carving. affected carvings being produced. carvings became more complicated , paintings more ornate families competed against each other. specialization occurred neophyte carvers looking niche compete established carvers. craft continued become established in 1990s more families carved , more tourists came oaxaca building of new roads. of these new oaxacan crafters have extended design smooth – abstract painted realistic animals, mendoza family (luis pablo, david pablo , moises pablo a.k.a. ariel playas), creating new generation of alebrijes.

while sales trend has been positive oaxacan alebrijes, dependent on global market fluctuations , on tourism oaxaca. there decline in sales in late 1980s, possibly due global market saturation , dominance of repetitive, unimaginative designs. sales rose again in 1990s. sales fell again in 2001, when tourism u.s. fell , fell again precipitously 2006 due statewide social unrest. has not recovered since.

the alebrije market divided 2 levels, production of unique, high-quality, labor-intensive pieces , production of repetitive, average quality , inexpensive pieces. have produced exceptionally fine pieces have gained reputations artists, commanding high prices. larger pieces made better carving families. while pieces can bought , ordered artisans directly, sell middlemen in turn sell them outlets in mexico , abroad. successful carving families sell exclusively dealers , may have few pieces available drop-in visitor. . within mexico, oaxacan alebrijes sold in tourist locations such oaxaca city, la paz, cancún, cozumel , puerto escondido . pieces sold internationally go united states, canada, europe , japan, expensive pieces end in ethnic craft stores in urban areas, university towns , upscale resorts. cheaper pieces tend sold @ trade shows , gift shops. tourists buy pieces directly carvers pay twice wholesalers do. . price of each piece depends on quality, coloring, size, originality , reputation of carver. expensive pieces sent abroad. pieces sold retail in oaxaca range $1 $200 usd. commercialized figures of dogs, armadillos, iguanas, giraffes, cats, elephants, zebras, deer, dolphins, sharks , fish. animals painted bright colors , designs , carved exaggerated features bear little resemblance occurs in natural world. anthropomorphism common , carvings of animals playing musical instruments, golfing, fishing, , engaging in other human pursuits popular. fantastic creatures such dragons , chimeras , others carved, carvings of benito juárez, subcomandante marcos, chupacabras (imaginary beings eat goats), martians, mermaids, , helicopters. diversity of figures due segmented market both in mexico , abroad rewards novelty , specialization. in number of cases, carvings return images mexican culture such angels, saints, , virgins, have somber faces if painted in bright colors. devils , skeletons parts of more festive scenes depicting them, example, riding dogs , drinking. foreign customers demand more creative figures little repetition. prices abroad range between 3 , 5 times retail price in oaxaca, median of $100 usd, lowest around $10 , highest around $2,000. 1 of expensive pieces sold carving village occurred in 1995, when doctor mexico city paid isidro cruz of tilcajete equivalent of $3000 usd piece entitled “carousel of americas.” piece took cruz 3 months complete. typical household income of families arrazola , tilcajete averages $2000usd per year, exceptional artists can earn $20,000 per year. 2 thousand year substantially more average in oaxaca , allows families build or expand housing , send children secondary school. however, families carve sideline agriculture providing basic staples. in towns, in tilcajete, economy has shifted agriculture making of wood carvings number of families abandoning farming altogether. however, households in oaxaca, success of alebrijes has not replaced need farm or alleviated need send family members mexico city or united states , work , send remittances home.

despite oaxaca’s reputation production of crafts indigenous peoples, alebrije makers monolingual spanish speakers not identify member of indigenous group although have zapotec ancestors. alebrijes considered novelty items makers rather expressions of cultural heritage. . more traditional woodcarving, such utensils, toys, religious figures , still made older residents, these crafts overshadowed alebrijes. approximately 150 families devote @ least part-time making of alebrijes, carving techniques being passed down generation generation , many children growing around fantastic figures both finished , in process.

due copies other places, certification scheme being considered ensure viability of crafts area. include educating consumers , working reputable stores.

the carving process

woman sanding alebrije in progress in san martin tilcajete

the carving of piece, done while wood still wet, can last anywhere hours month, depending on size , fineness of piece. copal wood used influence made, both because of shapes branches can take , because male , female trees differ in hardness , shape. carving done non-mechanical hand tools such machetes, chisels , knives. time more sophisticated tool used when chain saw employed cut off branch or level base proposed figure. basic shape of creature hacked using machete, series of smaller knives used final shape achieved. details such ears, tails , wings made pieces separate 1 main body.

after carving, figure left dry ten months, depending on overall size , thickness. semi tropical wood such copal susceptible insect infestations, , reason drying pieces soaked in gasoline , baked ensure insect eggs have been destroyed. figure dries, susceptible cracking. cracks filled small pieces of copal wood , sawdust resin mixture before painting. oaxaca woodcarvings painted aniline paints made natural ingredients such bark of copal tree, baking soda, lime juice, pomegranate seeds, zinc, indigo, huitlacoche , cochineal. these colorings used dying clothing, ceremonial paints , other uses. since 1985, carvers have switched acrylics resist fading , withstand repeated cleanings better. however, still use aniline paints have more rustic customers prefer. either way, painting done in 2 layers, solid undercoat , multicolored designed superimposed.

originally, woodcarving solitary activity aspects done 1 person, male. sales soared in 1980s, work began shared among family members. women , children sanding , painting, leaving men contribute less half of work goes figures. despite this, pieces still referred work of 1 person, male carver. there exceptions this. there men paint better carve , in community of san pedro taviche, women collect , carve wood men. in cases, work on pieces done family members. families may hire other relatives or strangers if faced large order. however, established of carving families can have permanent outside , number of these refuse hire outsiders.

copal wood

an alebrije being carved copal wood in arrazola.

almost alebrije carvers in oaxaca use wood of trees genus bursera (family burseraceae), preference species b. glabrifolia, locally called copal or copalillo. tree typically found in dry tropical forests in oaxaca , neighboring states. exceptions isidro cruz of tilcajete, uses “zompantle” (erythrina coralloides) , manuel jimenez family, carves in tropical cedar (cedrella odorata) imported guatemala.

originally, carvers obtained wood local forests on own. copal trees short , squat , not yield wood; every piece used. despite this, success of woodcarving caused unsustainable drain on local wild copal, , of trees near tilcajete , arrazola have disappeared. localized depletion gave rise copal wood market in oaxaca, though many of copal trees in other parts of different subspecies, has more knots. obtaining wood complex exercise because negotiating other municipalities requires navigating complex social, legal , economic norms, , in many cases, state , federal environmental authorities have stepped in try preserve wild copal trees in number of areas. communities have refused sell wood. these difficulties has led black market in copal wood, carvers purchasing of supplies venders called “copaleros.” harvesting copalillo not complex task; trees relatively small , wood soft. trees felled using axe or chainsaw. branches cut machetes. harvesting occurs on ejidal (communal) lands. legal or not, purchase of copal wood other parts of oaxaca putting unsustainable pressure on wild populations in wider area, forcing copaleros go further obtain wood , deal angry locals , police alternately seek bribes , enforce law. eventually, led 6 copaleros control of wood being sold, , these supplies being unreliable. federal government states of figures made illegally obtained wood.

securing supplies of copal wood major concern woodcarvers. despite fact cost of wood not particularly high, despite effort, main issue reliability. issue carvers quality. artisans pay more wood if sure can pass added cost onto customers. number of attempts grow trees woodcarving purpose have been undertaken. copal native tree species area, grows readily without care. takes anywhere 5 ten years tree grow big enough harvested (branches or entire tree). of efforts include reforestation efforts sponsored groups such rodolfo morales foundation in ocotlan, , number of families spend time planting trees during rainy season. have begun copal plantations. however, current needs wood far outweigh these efforts have been able produce.

another effort involves program designed manage wild copal supplies in municipality called san juan bautista jayacatlán. arrangement has economic advantages both alebrije-makers , owners of forests wood produced. has not been developed sufficiently yet affect illegal harvest of wood, organizers hope in time, become more economical , preferred method. difference between program , others works within broader ethnobotanical context promoting management of species within native habitat. jayacatlán located next established biosphere reserve of tehhuacán-cuicatlán. benefit jayacatlán give municipality way exploit copal supplies , preserve biodiversity @ same time. benefit carvers promote reliable source of wood, trademark called “ecoalebrijes” them sell more alebrijes @ higher price. however, wood jayacatlan sold arrazola , not other major center of tilcajete. enthusiasm of arrazola’s woodcarvers stems more having supply of wood notions of ecology.

san martin tilcajete

large alebrije outside shop in san martin tilcajete

of 3 major carving towns, san martin tilcajete has experience success. success due carver isidro cruz, learned carve when thirteen during long illness in late 1940s. work sold locally , noticed tonatiúh gutierrez, director of expositions mexican national tourist council, later government agency in charge of promoting crafts. encouraged cruz carve masks , later appointed him in charge of state craft buying center. cruz worked @ 4 years, learning craft selling , getting others tilcajete connected market. unlike other carvers, cruz open techniques , late 1970s, ten men carving , selling in tilcajete. cruz not taught methods others, able purchase many of neighbors’ works. cruz’s efforts stimulated new styles of carving, such alebrijes, , sale in city of oaxaca. 1980s, there 4 families devoted carving full-time, rest splitting time between crafts , agriculture. through 1960s , 1980s, embroidered shirts, blouses , dresses still well-received craft tilcajete, end of 1980s, families involved in carving alebrijes.

today, carving of alebrijes economic base of tilcajete. every friday on main square “tianguis del alebrije” or weekly market selling wooden figures. event allows visitors purchase items local craftsmen directly. there vendors selling other local products such ice cream well. annually, municipality holds feria del alebrije (alebrije festival), features alebrije sales , exhibitions, music, dance , theatre. there offerings of local , regional cuisine. more 100 vendors attend, selling alebrijes, textiles, local dishes, artwork , locally made alcoholic beverages. sponsored master craftsmen group of tilcajete (grupo de maestros talladoes de tilcajete), includes hedilberto olivera, emilia calvo, roberta Ángeles, juventino melchor, martin melchor, margarito melchor fuentes, margarito melchor santiago, josé olivera pérez, jesús melchor garcía, inocente vásquez, maría jiménez, cira ojeda, jacobo , maría Ángeles, justo xuana, victor xuana, rene xuana, abad xuana, flor , ana xuana, rogelio alonso, works in paper maiche , doris arellano, painter.

some of better known artisans in tilcajete include delfino gutierrez, sisters ana , marta bricia hernandez, family of efrain , silvia fuentes, coindo melchor, margarito melchor , maria jimenez. delfino gutierrez specializes in free-form elephants, frogs, turtles, armadillos , more sold in stores in chicago, california, new york , israel. hernandez sisters sell home , known painting style. fuentes family gained fame efrain’s carving talents. featured in exhibit in santa fe, nm when 13 , work has been featured in @ least 1 book. margarito melchor specializes in cats, , coindo melchor carves elaborate ox teams bulls, driver, , cart filled animals , crops creatures have been described “bird headed women.” maria jimenez , brothers specialize in saints , angels animals. maria best known painter in oaxacan community. says has thirty designs has developed carvings, many of related when made embroidered dresses.

the successful artisan jacobo angeles, work have been prominently displayed @ smithsonian , national museum of mexican art in chicago. can found in numerous museums, art colleges , galleries in world. jacobo learned carve father when twelve, , later mentored elders in , other communities. while alebrijes designs have been innovative , incorporating modern elements, angeles family’s designs focus on representations of zapotec culture. can seen in painted designs, based on influences such friezes of mitla, , other ancient symbols continued use in aniline paints made natural ingredients such bark of copal tree, baking soda, lime juice, pomegranate seeds, zinc, indigo, huitlacoche , cochineal. each year, jacobo travels united states promote oaxacan folk art in general educational institution speaker @ art institutions.

arrazola

alebrijes sale in arrazola

the making of alebrijes in oaxaca established in arrazola manuel jimenez. jimenez began carving wooden figures since boy tending animals in 1920s. late 1950s , 1960s, jimenez’s work being sold in city of oaxaca, led them being shown folk art collectors such nelson rockefeller. late 1960s, giving exhibitions in museums in mexico city , united states , tourists began visiting workshop in 1970s. kept carving techniques strictly within family sons , son in law carving him. reason, 6 families carving alebrijes in arrazola late 1985. jimenez died in 2005. today, jimenez’s works fetch minimum of $100 usd.

many carvers , carving communities engage in specialties in order have niches in more competitive alebrije market in oaxaca. in arrazola, 1 of community’s specialty carving of complex animal bodies, iguanas out of 1 single piece of wood. way community competes through annual festival “cuna de los alebrijes” (cradle of alebrijes), held each year promote figures. fair cosponsored secretary of tourism state of oaxaca. occurs in second half of december, during christmas season, more sixty artisans make figures. goals draw more tourists town @ time , make connections stores, galleries , museums.

like tilcajete, arrazola has number of known artisans. marcelo hernandez vasquez , sisters have been making alebrijes eighteen years, , juan carlos santiago sought out penguins. antonio aragon makes small, finely carved, realistic deer, dogs, lions , cats, , sergio aragon specializes in miniatures. 1 of best known miguel santiago, sells forty pieces year. of these sales individual pieces , others multiple sets such frida kalo surrounded monkeys. sets sold foreign buyers between $300 , $800 usd , have been sent europe, japan , united states. sets take more month make , work considered in high end of market. santiago’s orders extend more 2 years in advance. santiago used work brother , later nephew, today works solo father help. of best known 1 of few female entrepreneurs in market, olga santiago. not carve or paint, rather hires others work while administrates. however, signs pieces. many of carvers , painters young men leave form workshops of own. while workshop not 1 run in manner, hers newest , successful. olga’s client base tourists, brought tour guides, taxi drivers , commission, , wholesalers.

la unión tejalapan

la union tejalapan has not had same success arrazola , tilcajete because have not been able attract many dealers or tourists. however, significant market remains simple rustic pieces (pre-alebrije) , pieces painted traditional aniline paints, la union specializes in. these popular seeking non alebrije pieces such saints, angels, devils, skeletons , motifs related day of dead. alebrije pieces made, painted 1 or 2 colors few decorations. la union artisans make multipiece rodeos, fiestas, , nativity scenes. rustic aspect la union pieces legs can nailed onto torsos. first alebrije carver la union martin santiago. in 1950s , 1960s, santiago worked in united states various periods working agricultural laborer in bracero program. when program ended, santiago found not support family farming , began selling woodcarvings shop owner in oaxaca. arrangement ended after complex dispute. santiago began carving , selling on own 4 brothers , many years santiago family carvers in community.

today there number of others involved in craft. aguilino garcia sells expensive skunks, crocodiles, armadillos, , palm trees. has reputation working slowing makes pieces selling between 100 , 400 pesos in 1998. better known husband , wife team of reynaldo santiago , elodia reyes, have been carving since marriage in mid-1970s. reynaldo nephew of martin santiago. in many other carving families, carves while paints. children not involved in business. while couple make large , medium-sized pieces, specialize in miniatures (around 7 cm), such dogs, cats, giraffes, rabbits , goats around 30 pesos each. because la union gets few tourists, couple reliant on store owners , wholesalers buy them. today major buyers wholesaler in california , store owner in texas.