art thou?: November 2024

Loteria: Found Object Allegories

Michael deMeng

Oaxaca, Mexico

Oct 24 to Nov 3, 2024

Thursday, October 24, 2024

The alarm went off at 4:30 a.m. today in order to be ready to leave by 5:30 a.m. Denice was kind enough to drive me to the Coach USA terminal on 13th in order to catch the 6:05 a.m. coach to O’Hare in Chicago.

My first flight out of Chicago left at 10:35 a.m. and arrived in Houston, TX, at 1:30 p.m. I had a 3+ hour layover but that was made easy when I met Marilyn and John Werst who invited me into the United Suite as a guest. Free food, a comfortable seat and some good conversation were the payoff for me.

The three of us were on the 4:50 p.m. flight to Oaxaca. When we got on board we found Helen Rogers already aboard so now we were four on the way to the same workshop.

This was different: our flight had to divert its normal route because of the erupting Popocatépetl volcano. Here is the shot I got of what it looked like from my seat.

We arrived in Oaxaca at 6:30 p.m. and all shared a hotel shuttle (collectivo) to our residence for the next eleven days: the Holiday Inn Centro Historico.

Proof that our long association with this hotel works both ways

After dumping off our luggage we met in the lobby where we were joined by Colleen Darling. A short walk away is Del Jardin Restaurant where we sat around, ate some good food and had more great conversation.

I was back in my room by 10:30 p.m. to unpack and hit the hay. Tomorrow will be another day.

Friday, October 25, 2024

This is the view I have from my room each morning. That is de Auditorio Guelaguetza or as it is nicknamed, The Diaper, in the distance. It is the host venue for the Guelaguetza Dance Festival every July in Oaxaca.

Today I did not get up until 7:00 a.m. which is later than a normally get up here in Oaxaca. I went down to the breakfast buffet which is always a delight at the Holiday Inn Historico Central. I was greeted by Marilyn, Colleen and Theresa Reaver. But what was really special is how I was greeted by the wait staff. It may be impossible for Americans to understand how long people hold a job in Mexico but the three ladies who were working the buffet this morning were very happy to see the artists back in the hotel. I got a hug from Patty and a warm handshake from Esis—they make our stay here better.

Eventually we were joined at breakfast by Helen, Amy, and our instructor, Michael deMeng. After a nice table talk I headed over to the ATM with Helen and then we both shopped the mercado (grocery store) for our room and workshop supplies.

I had enough time to do my first walkabout around the hotel area. Be prepared: my number one goal on all my walkabouts is to document the enormous amount of wall art and other artistic efforts in this great art city, Oaxaca Juarez.

WALKABOUT #1

Just a short block away from the Holiday Inn Historical Centro is Jardín Conzatti, a small park with fountains and a great torta truck for food. Here is the art in the trees in the park.

The most dominant wall art in Oaxaca is the wheat paste art from the Colectivo Subterraneos Taller. There will be many examples over the days as I do more and more walkabouts.

This overhead decoration is called papel picado.

A number of us decided to create a pop-up event today not on any schedule (as today is considered the travel day into the city). We rented a van and headed out to Ocotlán de Morelos. This gave me the first opportunity to do something I do on the van rides: I sit in the far back seat on the sidewalk side of the van and shoot what I call

OUT THE WINDOW #1

The Marilyn Monroe Motel

Our goal for this excursion is Ocotlán de Morelos and the four Aguilar sisters, Josefina, Guillermina, Irene and Concepción (and son Jesús) studios where they carry on the famous tradition of painted clay folk figures and scenes. These artisans are world famous and I have seen there work at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, IL.

The Wounded Deer by Frida Kahlo (1946)

The Wounded Dear by me (2023)

My purchase this day by Leopoldo Garcia Aguilar

OUT THE WINDOW #2

Colleen had this idea to visit a field of cempasúchi (marigolds), the official flower of Dia de los Muertos.

Dara Chappie

We not only found a field of flowers but it had what Michael declared “his new favorite mezcal bar in Oaxaca.”

Chapuline alive

Chapulines dead

All of us amongst the cempasúchil

from Theresa's cell phone

OUT THE WINDOW #3

When we returned to Oaxaca, after a quite turnaround, we were out again. We had lunch today at a little market right by our hotel that has great food, drinks and deserts. I ate these huevos (eggs).

WALKABOUT #2

A group decided to walk to the zocalo so Marilyn could go to her jean jacket store where she gets a jacket every year.

I decided to use this wall art to shoot some street photography. These are the two that worked.

Miles Davis

I made a stop at the shop we refer to as The Teapot Shop (it used to have one hanging over its door at is previous location). I got two really cool vintage tin frames that I am eager to use in my project this week (more on that later).

I walked back to the hotel mostly with Colleen Darling. It is always special to spend some time with this remarkable woman who has had so many adventures in her life. I learned this year about how she lost her keys at Altamont (yes, that Altamont) and after the concert went nuts she had to have someone hot wire her car to get home.

After we got back to the hotel again, I heard the sounds of a near by comparsa (parade). This turned out to be a parade of high school kids so I walked along for most of the route.

While the new folks are going to walk down the alcala to the zocalo tonight, I decided to stay in my room and check out game one of the World Series. I want to rest my legs for what should be a long walking day tomorrow. As it turned out, that was a pretty good decision as the Dodgers won game one on a walk off homerun in extra innings.

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Up for breakfast today at 7:30 a.m. as we are scheduled to meet in the lobby by 9:30 to take a walking tour.

Mija

Wayne and Michael

Colleen

The workshop

WALKABOUT #3

The walking tour only went two blocks before turning right but I saw a bright shiny object straight ahead and that was the last I saw of the group until lunch time.

No translation necessary

I walked to Miguel Manualidades to buy some support for the tin frames I bought yesterday. Then I walked to Frida Kahlo Art to get some blue metal Pinto Paint that I have purchased years before that I love.

I walked back to the hotel to dump off my stuff by noon and met Theresa. The two of us walked together to lunch making a stop in the Santo Domingo.

Today’s group lunch on the zocalo was at Tr3s 3istro, a second floor location with a view of the action. Today I had traditional Mole de Cadesus based on a suggestion from Colleen. It was delicious but we were unsure what the meat was: one rumor was it was goat. All I know is that it was tender and super tasty.

Walkabout #4

At the base of the zocalo there was this art installation of very impressive statutes by Alberto Aragon Reyes.

In the afternoon we walked a short distance to the Museo de los Pintores Oaxaquenos.

There even was an assemblage

Next stop was the Basilica Soledad Church.

Most of the group went for ice cream outside the church but I just had to get something to drink.

Our third stop was the Museo de Arte Prehispanico de Mexico Rufino Tamayo.

Got to meet the artist of this ofrenda/sand painting

Then we all walked back to the hotel to get ready for tonight’s welcome dinner at Casa Crespo. This restaurant is just across the park from our hotel. Tonight we had a chef’s special made up of great dishes from various regions of the Oaxaca and Mexico. It was an absolute triumph of a meal.

The welcome dinner toast

The last thing that happened to us was that we left the restaurant and walked across the street into the park where there was a la calenda. In typical fashion there was two competing bands on either end of the celebration.