Maiz y Cacao, Maiz Leaves, Water Color, and Ink, 2016
In collaboration with Christian Perez and Cacao maestras de Puebla,
Maiz y Cacao is a sculptural drawing that represents the value and importance between a resource such as agriculture and cultural traditions in the small town of San Francisco Coapan. Batches of dried corn husks were gathered and dipped in water and flatten with boards of wood before stitching them together. Once the husks were dried again, images of Cacao preparations and drinking of Cacao were drawn with ink and watercolor.
Agriculture plays an important role for the community in San Francisco Coapan and is a resource for the people to survive and thrive on. For example, in Coapan, a vast majority of the land is used to grow corn (maiz). Corn is eaten almost daily and used to make tortillas, tamales, quesadillas, Cacao, and other delicious foods. Many of the rich traditions in Coapan include food. One important tradition involves the making of a drink known as Cacao. Cacao is a traditional chocolate drink that was once only served to kings and is now served during festivals and other events to everyone throughout Puebla. During religious festivals, women gather together to prepare large tubs of Cacao that is whisked with a wooden molinillo and served to community of Coapan. Typically, the chocolate drink is served with painted decorated traditional gourd bowls known as jicaras as they did during Mesoamerican times to help preserve the flavor. To make cacao, you have to be considered a cacao maestra. To become a cacao maestra, they often have to prepare the drink for numerous events. Flower headbands are given to younger generations of women on their journey to learn how to make the chocolatey drink and become maestras. It is a combination of elders and the younger community working together to pass on these traditions and keep them alive. Maiz and cacao are just two examples of the many rich stories, history, food, and cultural traditions that together help shape and run the small town of San Francisco Coapan.
Project done for Rasquache Residency
rasquacheresidency.com
Agriculture plays an important role for the community in San Francisco Coapan and is a resource for the people to survive and thrive on. For example, in Coapan, a vast majority of the land is used to grow corn (maiz). Corn is eaten almost daily and used to make tortillas, tamales, quesadillas, Cacao, and other delicious foods. Many of the rich traditions in Coapan include food. One important tradition involves the making of a drink known as Cacao. Cacao is a traditional chocolate drink that was once only served to kings and is now served during festivals and other events to everyone throughout Puebla. During religious festivals, women gather together to prepare large tubs of Cacao that is whisked with a wooden molinillo and served to community of Coapan. Typically, the chocolate drink is served with painted decorated traditional gourd bowls known as jicaras as they did during Mesoamerican times to help preserve the flavor. To make cacao, you have to be considered a cacao maestra. To become a cacao maestra, they often have to prepare the drink for numerous events. Flower headbands are given to younger generations of women on their journey to learn how to make the chocolatey drink and become maestras. It is a combination of elders and the younger community working together to pass on these traditions and keep them alive. Maiz and cacao are just two examples of the many rich stories, history, food, and cultural traditions that together help shape and run the small town of San Francisco Coapan.
Project done for Rasquache Residency
rasquacheresidency.com
