In my effort to “step away” from the US election news, I went in search of the fourteen chairs of the “Silla Calavera” project scattered throughout restaurants and hotels in the city — a creative and calorie-burning distraction!
Artist: Juana Vicente Ortega Fuentes, decorative painter; displayed at Pitiona restaurant. Title: Levantada de Cruz (Raised Cross).Artist: Fabián Pacheco, metalwork artisan; displayed at Gozobi restaurant. Title: Tradición y costumbre (Tradition and practice). Artist: Francisca Calvo, wooden alebrije artisan; displayed at Pitiona restaurant. Title: Platicando sobre las costumbres de mi pueblo (Talking about customs of my people).Artist: Jesús Sosa Calvo, wooden alebrije artisan; displayed at Hotel Parador. Title: Como ves te ves (As you see you see).
The project arose as an idea to spread the traditions of Oaxaca through artistic creations using an object of daily life — a comforting and comfortable seat, where each artist, through their creativity and respect for the dead, exposes the face of a skull.
Artists: Taller de Barro Zamani, polychrome clay artisans; displayed at Terranova restaurant. Title: Muertos que viven (The dead who live).Artists: Erika Nancy Carrillo Carreño, Montserrat Mandujano, Eliézer Vargas García, artesanas de la Costa oaxaqueña; displayed at Hotel Trébol. Title: Colores de vida y muerte (Colors of life and death).Artist: Colectivo Zegache (Alejandro Mendoza, Eleuteria Pacheco Mendoza, Edith Santo Méndez, Nancy Martínez Gaspar); displayed at Hotel Casa Garay. Title: Dxi tu gúl (Zapotec, unable to translate).Artist: Meletón Lazo, surrealist artist; displayed at Hotel Ferri. Title: Flor de piña (Pineapple flower dance).
Unfortunately, this next chair had been disassembled by the time I arrived, but here, in two parts, the back and the seat.
Artist: Gabriel Sosa, wooden alebrije artisan; seat back at Los Danzantes restaurant. Title: Fiesta de colores (Festival of colors).Artist: Gabriel Sosa, wooden alebrije artisan; seat at Los Danzantes restaurant. Title: Fiesta de colores (Festival of colors).
The artisans, I think with great success, sought to capture and share their roots, customs, and traditions.
Artist: Marcos Lucero, painter; displayed at Hotel Santa Rosa. Title: Bii tugul/Viento de muertos (Wind of the dead).Artist: Juan Lazo, landscape painter; displayed at El Asador Vasco restaurant. Title: La muerte es mas vida (Death is life).Artists: Paulino Ramirez and Eduardo Ramirez, painting and wooden alebrijes; displayed at Restaurant Casa Palmeras. Title: La última luz (The last light).Artist: Alfonso Canseco Peligro, graphic artist; displayed at La Mala restaurant. Title: Siéntate, vamos a tomar (Sit down and let’s drink).Artists: Luis Lazo and family, textile artists; displayed at Hotel Casa Vertiz. Title: Ciclo de vida (Cycle of life).
Yesterday, the chairs were removed from the restaurants and hotels. Tonight, with an inaugural celebration, they went on display at ARIPO until November 15, 2020. For purchase after that date, contact Matlacihua Arte or individual artists.
Wow, I would have loved tagging along with you on this discovery trip! The chairs are all so very special. I often think of Oaxaca and you are my main connection to that beautiful culture. Thank you for your thoughtful and thorough investigations of the many signs of life there! Francie
I’ve said it before, and I don’t mind saying it again. There isn’t another region in Mexico that stand up to the art that is created in Oaxaca. It is just phenomenal.
Thank you! Shannon. These are so beautiful, creative, and done with so much thought. What an amazing and wonderful project! Oaxaca in her many colours! So blessed to have lived there and loved every moment! Missing you, Oaxaca! Missing you Shannon!oxo
[…] on display to the public. And, one of the unexpected delights of tracking down the chairs of the Silla Calavera project, was to see the Day of the Dead ofrendas constructed by the hotels and restaurants also […]
Mexican Peso Converter
View From Casita Colibrí 
Beautiful. You are so lucky to live in such a colorful a and vibrant culture. Wish I was there instead of here in the US right now. ❤️
Yes, I love that art and culture are valued here. Alas, utopia it is not.
Wow, I would have loved tagging along with you on this discovery trip! The chairs are all so very special. I often think of Oaxaca and you are my main connection to that beautiful culture. Thank you for your thoughtful and thorough investigations of the many signs of life there! Francie
Thank you, Francie!
These are amazing!
The creativity never ceases to amaze and delight me!
Always astounded by the creativity of the Oaxacan people! You are indeed lucky to live amongst such incredible artists!
I know; I feel incredibly lucky to have landed here!
What fun, and how Oaxaceño! Thanks for sharing…
Yes, Oaxaqueño they are!
Thanks for sharing Shannon!! I’ll walk up and have a look at the beautifully remodeled ARIPO.
They are beautifully displayed in the courtyard of ARIPO and much easier to see, up close and personal!
What a delight! Now I want to paint one, too. Thanks for finding them all.
I know; they are so inspiring!
Que Padre! thank you
De nada. We are so lucky to be here!
I’ve said it before, and I don’t mind saying it again. There isn’t another region in Mexico that stand up to the art that is created in Oaxaca. It is just phenomenal.
I agree!!!
Well, we could do with some new chairs; these would fit in seamlessly.
Go for it!!!
Thank you! Shannon. These are so beautiful, creative, and done with so much thought. What an amazing and wonderful project! Oaxaca in her many colours! So blessed to have lived there and loved every moment! Missing you, Oaxaca! Missing you Shannon!oxo
Missing you, too! Oaxaca will always be here, awaiting your return!
Such a brilliant artistic plan. Thank you for your WalkAbout to capture this special moment in Oaxaca. Stay healthy. Marilynn
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
I was amazed by the creativity of each artisan!
These are awesome
Yes, even more so, seeing them all together at ARIPO.
Fantastic!!!!
Yep! Thanksgiving coming and missing you and David.
So cool! Love the creativity.
The creativity here never ceases to amaze me!
[…] on display to the public. And, one of the unexpected delights of tracking down the chairs of the Silla Calavera project, was to see the Day of the Dead ofrendas constructed by the hotels and restaurants also […]