Alebrijes are everywhere in Mexcio, you just cannot miss them. These colorful painted creatures are made of wood (with sometimes detachable pieces like wings, flowers, feathers etc.) or papiermaché and originate from Oaxaca. Wooden alebrijes were made popular by Manuel Jiménez, a master wood carver from Oaxaca. Got Happy Fish a new friend, couldn’t resist this green wooden bird. Wings are detachable and I love his feet!

*** Alebrijes - Wood ***

*** Alebrijes - Papiermaché ***

Couldn’t resist these cuties above, they measure about 2,5 inches. *** Diese süßen oben sind ca. 7 cm hoch und ich fand sie einfach unwiderstehlich!

These monsters are just too cool, love the one with the special “behind”. *** Diese Monster sind einfach zu cool, lieben den mit dem besonderen “Hintern”.

*** Huichol Art ***

Huichol is a native Indian tribe which lives up today in the Sierra Madre, in the western part of Mexico, close to Puerto Vallarta. “Apart from several previous records the existence of the Huichol had been perceived consciously by the modern world only during the last 50 years. This is very important, because it makes that tribe the last, nearly authentic native indian tribe directly connected to the Azteca history, maintaining the same ageless rituals and beliefs. They are considered by many anthropologists to be an invaluable window to the past.” Contemporary Huichol Art can be seen and found everywhere. “To preserve their ancient beliefs they have begun making detailed and elaborate yarn paintings, a development and modernization of the nieli’ka.” Yarn paintings are created by layering beeswax and pine resin onto wood or clay and then pressing fibers into the “glue”. I couldn’t resist the above mask which was the only artwork I found combining beads and fibre (here glued onto pottery).

Huichol Bead art (also called Chaquira) is relatively new. Beads are pressed into a wax-resin mixture (serving as glue) using such prepared beaded needles as shown above. I asked and finishing the beaded sun will take him about 2 days. The patterns and motives used are derived from their rich ceremonial traditions and shamanic rituals. *** Huichol’s Perlenkunst (auch Chaquira genannt) ist recht jung. Hier werden Perlen mit solch vorbereiteten Nadeln in ein Wachs-Harz-Gemisch gedrückt, das als Klebstoff fungiert. Hab nachgefragt und es dauert ca. 2 Tage, eine solche Sonne fertigzustellen. Die verwendeten Muster und Motive stammen von den reichhaltigen Traditionen und Schamanenritualen ab.

*** Retablos and Mirrors ***

Saw these gorgeous contemporary retablos/shrined mirrors in a gallery. I couldn’t resist the above gorgeous Day of the Dead retablo. The artists creates his figures with plaster and mashed potatoes. Enjoy your meal! Box is made of wood. Quite special!

Wunderschöne Retablos und Spiegel in einer Gallerie gesehen. Obiger Day of the Dead retablos hab ich mir gegönnt. Der Künstler gestaltet seine Figuren aus Gips und Kartoffelpüree. Guten Appetit! Box ist aus Holz. Was besonderes!

*** Muertos ***

and calaveras… Couldn’t pass up on these 2 papiermaché calaveras/muerto heads from Oaxaca. While there are mass produced clay muertos, I saw some unique and delightful ones in various galleries and shops, here are a few. And look what’s dancing in my car now…

Muertos und Calaveras … konnte an diesen beiden Papiermaché-Totenköpfen nicht vorbei. Während es viele Ton-Muertos in Massenproduktion gibt, hab ich in Gallerien und Läden herrliche Einzelexemplare gesehen, hier ein paar. Und schau mal, was nun in meinem Auto umhertanzt…

*** La Bandida ***

La Bandida - a new fabulous boutique in Puerto Vallarta with my kind of things from Mexico, India and more. Reminds me of my favorite shop Sugobo in Frankfurt, I know Susan, the owner would love it!

La Bandida - eine neue wunderschöne Boutique in Puerto Vallarta mit Herrlichem aus Mexiko, Indien und mehr. Erinnert mich an meinen Lieblingsschop Sugobo aus Frankfurt, Susan, die Besitzerin, würde er sicherlich auch gefallen!

*** A few random impressions ***

Loved the contrast of the indians and the Mexican Goths at Jardin Hidalgo, spotted just down the road from the Frida Kahlo Museum. *** Klasse Kontrast zwischen den Indianern und den mexikanischen Goths. Gesehen im Jardin Hidalgo (Hidalgo-Garten), etwas die Straße runter vom Frida Kahlo Museum.

And last but not least, I love children books and found this one at the Frida Kahlo Museum: El Zopilote y la Chirimia (the buzzard and the flageolet ) by Gabriela Olmos and paintings by Valeria Gallo. My Spanish isn’t quite intermediate, so my kind of level. Other than that, the books illustrations are painted in the Huichol’s yarn painting style and it’s a wonderful story, worth the money.

Zuguterletzt noch ein Kinderbuch, dass ich im Frida Kahlo Museum entdeckt habe: El Zopilote y la Chimiria (Der Truthahngeier und das Flageolett) von Gabriela Olmos und Zeichnungen von Valeria Gallo. Mein Spanisch ist mal gerade mittelmäßig und solche Bücher sind prima zu verstehen. Abgesehen davon, hat dieses Buch wunderschöne Illustrationen im Stil der Huichol Garnbilder und und eine wunderschöne Geschichte ist, das Geld wert!

Jardin Hidalgo, Cayoacán, Mexico City

La Bamba - Puerto Vallarta Folk Dancers