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Mexican Art: Pottery, Folk Art, Artists, Diego Rivera And Frida Kahlo
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Published: November 15, 2007
A year before the presidential election, many topics have arisen and divided people across America. One such issue regards the immigration debate, a discussion largely with Mexicans in mind. The conversation about immigration laws and how Mexican-Americans fit into it is vast and complex, but one of the facets of the debate involves recognizing what Mexicans have historically contributed to America and the world.
Besides those who have made breakthroughs in Hollywood like Salma Hayek, Mexico has also had a deeply rich culture for centuries, and a major byproduct of that culture has been the abundance of Mexican art.
One of the most underrated forms of Mexican art, Mexican folk art has existed in some form or another for years. Some examples of that particular form of Mexican art include the mundane, like handcrafted children's toys, to the more consciously important work sold to galleries and collectors. Mexican folk art takes inspiration from the native inhabitants as well as from Spanish customs that have managed to infiltrate Mexican art. Of the known forms of folk-related Mexican art, Mexican pottery remains the mostly widely known type. Originally heated on bonfires, Mexican pottery has developed as a tradition beyond the original, simple wares for holding food. The clay creations began to hold ceremonial significance on different occasions, besides sprucing up a home's atmosphere. People still produce traditional pottery, with villages each boasting a particular specialty in the art. However, for the most part, that form of Mexican art has gone toward commercial ventures rather than domestic use.
A famous artist in her own right, Frida Kahlo regularly worked during her time toward promoting the tradition of folk art held then. As much as she endeavored to preserve folk art decades ago, many contemporary creators of Mexican art have attempted to laud and perpetuate the success of Frida's work, too. Mention of Frida Kahlo inevitably lead to the mention of Diego Rivera since the two important artists married and remained together for quite a few years. The oeuvre of Diego Rivera largely maintains a theme of revolutionary communism, a cause he felt throughout his life and that logically flowed into his own unique contributions for Mexican art. Artists like Kahlo and Rivera display just how influential and important Mexican art proved itself to be in the last century. Their example has, and continues, to inspire those interested in Mexican art in profound ways.
Debate over immigration laws in the U.S. may never completely end, but the public may as well lay any concerns about Mexico's contribution to the world to rest. Centuries-old traditions of earthen toys and pots have shown the rich culture of Mexico to the world over, not to mention larger-than-life contributors to Mexican art in the last century like Kahlo and Rivera. Until people find those offerings to the world adequate to quell the immigration debate, people will, at least, be able to enjoy the latest Salma Hayek film. Then, with enough time, she will point them toward Frida and Mexican art, as well.
Sources:
Buch, Fred. "Diego Rivera." Fbuch.Com. 14 Nov. 2007. http://www.fbuch.com/diego.htm.
"Folk Art Inspired by Frida Kahlo." Casa Mexicana. 25 April 2007. 14 Nov. 2007. http://www.casamexicanafolkart.com/inspired_by_fri da_kahlo.html.
Mullen, Nicole. "Mexican Folk Art." Heart Museum. 2004. University of California, Berkeley. 14 Nov. 2007. http://hearstmuseum.berkeley.edu/outreach/pdfs/mex ican_folk_art.pdf.
One of the most underrated forms of Mexican art, Mexican folk art has existed in some form or another for years. Some examples of that particular form of Mexican art include the mundane, like handcrafted children's toys, to the more consciously important work sold to galleries and collectors. Mexican folk art takes inspiration from the native inhabitants as well as from Spanish customs that have managed to infiltrate Mexican art. Of the known forms of folk-related Mexican art, Mexican pottery remains the mostly widely known type. Originally heated on bonfires, Mexican pottery has developed as a tradition beyond the original, simple wares for holding food. The clay creations began to hold ceremonial significance on different occasions, besides sprucing up a home's atmosphere. People still produce traditional pottery, with villages each boasting a particular specialty in the art. However, for the most part, that form of Mexican art has gone toward commercial ventures rather than domestic use.
A famous artist in her own right, Frida Kahlo regularly worked during her time toward promoting the tradition of folk art held then. As much as she endeavored to preserve folk art decades ago, many contemporary creators of Mexican art have attempted to laud and perpetuate the success of Frida's work, too. Mention of Frida Kahlo inevitably lead to the mention of Diego Rivera since the two important artists married and remained together for quite a few years. The oeuvre of Diego Rivera largely maintains a theme of revolutionary communism, a cause he felt throughout his life and that logically flowed into his own unique contributions for Mexican art. Artists like Kahlo and Rivera display just how influential and important Mexican art proved itself to be in the last century. Their example has, and continues, to inspire those interested in Mexican art in profound ways.
Debate over immigration laws in the U.S. may never completely end, but the public may as well lay any concerns about Mexico's contribution to the world to rest. Centuries-old traditions of earthen toys and pots have shown the rich culture of Mexico to the world over, not to mention larger-than-life contributors to Mexican art in the last century like Kahlo and Rivera. Until people find those offerings to the world adequate to quell the immigration debate, people will, at least, be able to enjoy the latest Salma Hayek film. Then, with enough time, she will point them toward Frida and Mexican art, as well.
Sources:
Buch, Fred. "Diego Rivera." Fbuch.Com. 14 Nov. 2007. http://www.fbuch.com/diego.htm.
"Folk Art Inspired by Frida Kahlo." Casa Mexicana. 25 April 2007. 14 Nov. 2007. http://www.casamexicanafolkart.com/inspired_by_fri da_kahlo.html.
Mullen, Nicole. "Mexican Folk Art." Heart Museum. 2004. University of California, Berkeley. 14 Nov. 2007. http://hearstmuseum.berkeley.edu/outreach/pdfs/mex ican_folk_art.pdf.
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