While Elpis was locked inside Pandora´s box, a miracle furrowed through her dreams: the possibility of a 360-degree turn for humanity, a change that would make the world a better place. She dreamed of the virtues that abounded back in the days when the world honored the sacred feminine ways: actual times in which life and all of its processes were in tune with Earth’s natural rhythms, the seasonal cycles, the equality of all beings — animate and inanimate, equality among genders, among the most diverse species. When she awoke, she told men and women about her dream and the miracle started to materialize.
Artist Mauricio Cervantes‘ interpretation of Elpis’ dream is manifested through a multimedia art installation at Murguia #103 in Oaxaca’s historic district. The exhibition will be open through Sunday, November 4, 2012.
The space is magical and inspiring. A roofless historic adobe building, living spaces undefined, texture, mood, and altars that are bed frames and yellow chairs adorned with cempasuchitl, the flowers of the dead, ubiquitous during this time of Day of the Dead in Oaxaca. The altars are suspended, floating, reflected, rooted.
Photography workshop participant Helene Haviland and I met Mauricio in the patio of the 17th century once-splendid home hours before the official opening, when the light and shadow were perfect. Art students were putting the finishing touches on a mural. Curator Pablo Rico was taking a break, and Mauricio, always generous with his time, explained the meaning of the installation to us.
There is so much here that is rich for reflection. The cracks in the mortar, the decay, the dreams of the builders, the ability to take what is a shell and reconstruct it into something magnificent, beautiful, and strong. Even stronger. We go to the core in this space to ask, who are we and what is our hope for humanity.
And finally, the camera often shows us what our eyes do not — the many layers of life waiting to be excavated, that we choose our altars, our prayers and the path to salvation. The cut flowers will die, their scent will dissipate, but our dreams live on in the collective ambition to create a better, cleaner, safer world.
Day of the Dead teaches us that life is cyclical and the spirit of life regenerates.
Coming Up: Street Photography starts January 16. Women’s Creative Writing and Yoga Retreat starts March 8. There is always something wonderful happening in Oaxaca to capture.
Oaxaca Matria Therapeutic Art Garden: Cultural Center for Music and More
Matria Jardin Arterapeutico is the manifestation of artist Maurico Cervantes’ imagination. With the help of many, many others plus foundation funding, a decayed, roofless 17th century colonial building in Oaxaca’s historic center has become a cultural mecca. It is at once a moveable art installation, organic garden, educational teaching center, music and arts venue, and inspiration for innovation — a fine example of what to do with aging space with great bones.
Despite a late Sunday afternoon rainstorm (much needed, I might say), Matria hosts Sandmann and The Voodoo Cat, a three-person cabaret-style ensemble for our listening pleasure. Tucked inside the only area with shelter from the sky, Kati Sandmann (vocals, guitar), Dabeat Morales (percussion), and Ricardo Chavez (guitar) perform as if the 40 of us is a sold-out audience of hundreds at Carnegie Hall.
Their range goes from blues to folk to swing to rock with a hint of jazz. Kati’s voice sounds like Edith Piaf or Lotte Lenya, extending from alto to alto soprano. She sings multi-lingual in German, French, Spanish and English. It is at times atonal, dissonant and altogether appealing. I hear Kurt Weill and Berthold Brecht, Bob Dylan, Jacques Brel, Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen, and Ray Charles.
Not too long into the concert the skies opened and out came the umbrellas. The band played on — unflappable. We stayed, enraptured with the sound, and the rain coming through the porous roof. At this moment, church bells sound calling people to Sunday evening mass. The bells blend perfectly with the music. Two standing ovations brought two more songs before the concert ended. When in Oaxaca during the summer, the best advice is to carry a paragua when going out.
The concert ended. The skies cleared. I returned to the courtyard, rain reflected on organic food, in mirrors, in the bathtub lily pond encased in an old bed frame.
Lots of ideas here for gardening and imagining and meditating.
Matria Jardin Arteterapeutico, Murguia #103, between Macedonio Alcala and 5 de Mayo. Check out their Facebook page for upcoming events.
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Posted in Cultural Commentary, Oaxaca Mexico art and culture
Tagged art, cabaret, garden, jazz, Matria, Mauricio Cervantes, Mexico, music, Oaxaca, Sandmann, Voodoo Cat