the day began with a presentation and discussion on frida. though candice describes her as a surrealist, i see her more as a proto-postmodernist. her feminist, deeply personal narratives infused with cultural and personal symbolism all fall into the realm of post-modernist painting...perhaps that is why contemporary pop culture is so in love with her. we get it.
anyway, from there we traveled to the rural surrounding area of san miguel to the ranchito of maestro esteban valdez. a smithsonian-recognized potter, maestro valdez shared with us his studio, technique, and lovely work. it is truly an amazing experience to be in the presence of a man like this...he is someone who has led a simple family life, and yet created some of the most charming, lively, authentic work i have ever seen. even at 90 and half blind, his steady hand captures the spirit of someone who has spent life working, crafting, and creating with his hands. it is easy to over-romanticize the difficulties of living the rural life he leads...yet, there is clearly a joy that comes from his work and his relationship with the land and his culture. i have rarely felt the admiration and awe i felt in his presence. it was a truly beautiful experience.
from there, we ventured back to the hotel, then to the art store and mercado. as we were waiting for a cab, who pulls up but....chilo!!! and he offers to give us a ride to the art store, since it's near his shop. rockeritas! what a great guy and a fun story to tell. the art store, el pato, was great. i bought a ton of paints and rubdown letters. getting in the mood for art.
then to the market, which is always fun. looking for weird stuff for our journals...and finding it. everything from sequinced fridas to loteria cards showing parts of the body. oh, and blue corn tortillas.
lunch at el tomato, and then back to the room to work on my homework. kind of a drag. but then ryan and therese called, and we went for dinner at ole ole. it was great to see them, and the restaurant was wonderful. garlic mushrooms and dos xx. sweet. i made my first phone call after dinner, and was glad ryan was there to help me figure out the phone card system.
more homework. then sleep. long day.
but a good one.
