This Friday and Saturday, December 19 and 20, the plaza at the corner of Calle Rufino Tamayo #800-C and Xolotl across from the Stone Cross — Cruz de la Piedra — will come alive with an exhibition and sale representing some of Oaxaca’s most talented young artist designers. Here you will find all handmade textiles, clothing, furniture, jewelry and ceramics. Artist list below. Don’t miss it!
You haven’t heard from me since Thanksgiving, two weeks ago. That’s because I’ve been flat on my back recovering, calmed by a drug-induced stupor from ample doses of powerful pain medications Oxycontin and Oxycodone.
I can’t remember ever having such surreal dreams, supercharged, electrified, day-glow wonders. My mind took me to worlds I’ve never been, to the middle of a lightening storm of a Fourth of July fireworks show, up in space surrounded by the sounds of a rock band amplified for the universe to hear in one blast. No wonder there’s a black market for these meds.
It was then I realized I was hallucinating, I was on an emotional roller-coaster and needed to get off the drugs as soon as I could. As I sat in the hospital bed posing for the post-op glamour shot in my last post, I had no idea that moving through the recovery would be so difficult. And, I expected to be driving a car after two weeks. Huh!
Today, I get the staples removed. My plan is to return to Oaxaca just before Christmas. We shall see. Meanwhile, I’m down to one oxycodone a day. I must say I could miss that dream I had last night, being somewhere amid an extravaganza of indigenous Oaxaca clothing at an expoventa the likes of which I have never attended before. Gourmet chefs in the adjoining hall prepared the most dazzling buffet of roasted root vegetables, squashes, corn, blue tortillas. The colors were a palette of freshness, goodness, deep magenta, ochre, spring green. Perhaps this is a signal I’m getting my appetite back!
It’s what Blanche DuBois said, “…. I’ve always depended on the kindness of strangers.” Well, not exactly. I’ve been in the wonderful care of dear friends Chris and Jeff in their home. Cindy rescued me for outings when I thought stir crazy is a permanent state of mind. Dear Oaxaca and North Carolina friends called, emailed, visited and sent flowers. My Facebook friends gave me incredible support and lots of value advice. My family connected from California regularly via FaceTime. This helps immensely. Being alone, physical or virtual, during this type of recovery is not recommended.
Even with my partial knee replacement, great physical therapy sessions from Phil, and an excellent Duke Medicine orthopedic surgeon Rhett Hallows, M.D, the discomfort is real. But, the medications put a heavier burden on the body than I expected. Here is my advice:
Most people go home from this “half knee” surgery in two days. I wanted to stay three. I was not allowed because insurance would cover it. I’d say right now, I’ve turned the corner and by New Year’s Eve, perhaps I’ll be ready to dance again.
Today, I’m walking with one crutch, climbing stairs to a second story and eating breakfast.
And, by tomorrow, I will have quit the drugs completely! Hurray. When I will have something else to say, I don’t know.
Posted in Health Care
Tagged addiction, advice, knee replacement surgery, medication, oxicontin, oxycodone, pain
Norma contributes personal essay, How Oaxaca Became Home
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Sleek, Functional Contemporary Oaxaca Pottery with Classical Influences: Innovating Tradition
Oaxaca’s cultural identity is defined, in part, by her ceramic arts. For thousands of years before the Spanish conquest, indigenous artisans were giving shape to local clay to form functional cooking and eating vessels, images of dieties for worship and jewelry for personal adornment.
Now, after six years of operating from various temporary locations, La Tiendita del Barro/1050 grados and Innovando la Tradicion recently opened a gallery to promote its ceramic arts cooperative and new eco-tourism program. It is located at the corner of plaza de la cruz de piedra, Rufino Tamayo 800-C and Xolotl, near the 16th century aqueducts and Calle Garcia Virgil.
I want to say that this is social entrepreneurism, activist art. The program, developed by talented young Oaxaqueños, is committed to sustainable development. Here you will find stunning pottery that satisfies both a classical and contemporary aesthetic. The work is sculptural and refined, smooth and simple. Emphasis is on form followed by function. The result is timeless beauty. The cookware and serving pieces are lead-free and can be used over a gas burner or in the oven.
If you’ve never seen a Oaxaca potter at work, here’s a video of a traditional technique:
Rufina Ruiz haciendo una chilmolera from Innovando la Tradición on Vimeo.
Innovando la Tradicion is organizing half-day public tours to various villages, where visitors will meet potters, participate in hands-on demonstrations, and have an opportunity to buy directly from the artisans. Artisans receive 50% of the participant fees that go toward improving their workshop/studio space. The rest goes toward program administration.
Join Norma’s Pottery Tour with Innovando la Tradicion Monday, January 5, 2015, Cost: 629 MXN pesos
I can’t participate in any of the January public programs already scheduled and I really want to go on this tour. So, I’m inviting YOU to join me for a private tour on January 5. Are you interested? Send me an email. All the funds go directly to Innovando la Tradicion and I will send you registration information as soon as I hear from you! Space for 5 people. Reserve before December 15.
Oaxaca Portrait Photography Workshop starts January 30. Join us!
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Posted in Cultural Commentary, Oaxaca Mexico art and culture, Pottery, Travel & Tourism
Tagged ceramics, clay, Colectivo 1050 grados, eco-tourism, Innovando la tradicion, Mexico, Oaxaca, pottery, sustainable development, tours