"Original" expands to decorative and utilitarian art
With the goal of recognizing, rewarding, and highlighting the artisanal creations of the country's indigenous peoples, the Ministry of Culture, through the National Fund for the Promotion of Handicrafts (Fonart), will bring together 250 artisans from 28 states across the country, specializing in eleven craft sectors.
The first Original Decorative and Utilitarian Art Meeting will take place from June 12 to 15 at the Los Pinos Cultural Complex, the Undersecretary of Cultural Development, Marina Núñez Bespalova, told El Economista .
In recent years, some well-known clothing and accessory brands have begun to copy traditional designs that are considered part of the cultural heritage of indigenous peoples.
"From there," says Núnez Bespalova, "as part of a strategy, we organized meetings of artisans so that they could have direct contact with the public and with professionals interested in having ethical collaborations with the artisans themselves, and thus the first Meeting of Original Mexican Textile Art (in 2021) emerged, which will continue to take place in November in Los Pinos, but in addition, this year we are extending it to Mérida and Tijuana."
The Original Project also expands this year to include folk arts beyond textiles and clothing. "This time," the official explains, "we are convening a gathering for artisans of utilitarian and decorative art, which is the largest in the country. They have already participated in previous gatherings held in small spaces. But now we are dedicating a gathering exclusively for them, and this is the one we are presenting, which begins on June 12th."
"We're opening Los Pinos to host this new Original Decorative and Utilitarian Art Gathering. It begins on June 12th and ends on the 15th, as always. It runs from Thursday to Sunday, and follows the same rules as the other gatherings: direct contact with the artisans, no haggling," he explains.
Marina Núñez Bespalova, Undersecretary of Cultural Development. Photo: Courtesy
Among the arts that will occupy every corner of the former presidential residence, Marina Núñez lists a few: "maque and lacquer work done in Olinalá, Guerrero, and Michoacán; ceramics from Chihuahua, very fine basketry from Sonora, clay from Oaxaca and Guerrero, the famous jaguars from Amatenango, Chiapas; fine woods from Campeche, candle making from Puebla, copper and wood from Michoacán, blown glass from Jalisco," among many others.
But the catalogue is extensive and is completed with pottery, Wixárika art, cardboard and paper, plant fibres, bone and horn, stonework and stonework, metalwork, textiles and glass.
Visitors will find cups, jugs, mirrors, tablecloths, and screens; trees of life, candlesticks, jewelry boxes, pitchers, pots, casseroles, vases, trunks, bags, table runners, tablecloths, boxes, baskets, mats, flowerpots, ladles, cushions, chests, griddles, iron crosses, cutlery, sculptures, mirrors, hammocks, mezcal makers, masks, nativity scenes, cups, bread baskets, tableware, chairs, hats, rugs, tortilla makers, glasses, and other objects that make up an extensive list of handicrafts that maintain a balance between functionality and aesthetics.
"It's a very well-curated variety of crafts, which seeks to showcase the great diversity of popular artists that Mexico has. This is the first time we've done this new Original, and we hope to continue doing it every year. We are one of the countries with the greatest variety of crafts, and this is a first showcase, which will surely grow over the years," said the undersecretary.
He announced that in addition to the exhibition and sale of handicrafts, over the four days there will also be 30 workshops dedicated to promoting traditional art among children and older adults: "Nanas y Tatas" and "Escuincles."
He added that traditional cooks will also participate with a wide variety of dishes from different regions of the country, which will be located in the Cencalli kitchens. There will also be a space for cultural activities on the complex's helipad.
Photo: Courtesy
Marina Núñez Bespalova explained that the event is also an invitation to those who want to stock and beautify their establishments. "We are inviting business owners who want to purchase utilitarian handicrafts such as tableware, plates, glasses, and tablecloths for their establishments, hotels, and restaurants to join us and learn about the artisans' work and place wholesale orders."
"We want business owners to know that we (the Ministry of Culture) work with highly professional artisans who know how to do things very well and who also have an institution behind them that supports them in marketing and any necessary paperwork," he asserts.
The Undersecretary points out that this event is held through a call open to all artisans in the country, directly and without any intermediaries. After an interview and evaluation process, they become part of Original and begin a training process that prepares them to offer and market their products. "Some have been with us for several years, and others will be in an exhibition space for the first time but have already completed their training."
Photo: Courtesy
During the conversation, the Undersecretary of Cultural Development was asked about the advisability of promoting Denominations of Origin to foster the economic development of artisanal communities and their producers and preserve creative rights. She responded:
"This is an issue that has been under analysis for at least a couple of years. Denominations of Origin (DO) are not always the solution to protecting the collective rights of the bearers of these traditions. Because the DO is attached to the land, to the territory, and in the case of artisanal products, the artisans are not always in the territory that originated the cultural expression. They operate in places where certain raw materials are produced, such as agave, linaloe, which is the traditional tree of Olinalá products, but even there a problem arises because the Olinalá tradition also occurs at higher elevations, and conflicts begin to arise between communities. And in the textile sector, it's much more complicated because there are many communities that move; there is a very significant migration process, especially in states like Oaxaca, Michoacán, and Guerrero. For example, the Purépecha communities that have had to move to the United States and continue to make their products there would have problems if those products had the Denomination of Origin seal."
He added that it's not a closed issue, but rather that discussions are ongoing, exploring the possibilities in each case. "What I do want to say is that we already have a Heritage Law that protects collective rights and establishes a series of procedures that must be followed if a third party wants to use an iconography or a technique, and there are also guidelines for establishing collaboration."
Photo: Courtesy
Original Meeting of Decorative and Utilitarian Art
Los Pinos Cultural Complex
From June 12 to 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Free access
Artisans who wish to join the Original movement should write to [email protected] and send photos of their products.
Check the rules
Eleconomista
