how old are alebrijes

How did alebrijes start?

Pedro Linares (1906-1992), a renowned indigenous Mexican artist, first created vividly colorful papier mâché sculptures called alebrijes. The inspiration for Linares' sculptures has an origin as outlandish and fanciful as the figures themselves. As the story goes, Linares became very ill when he was 30 years old.

What were alebrijes originally made of?

The Alebrijes are imaginary creatures that have elements from different animals such as dragon bodies, bat wings, wolf teeth and dog eyes. Colorfully painted, they were originally made with papier mache but nowadays they are also wood carved.

Did the Aztecs create alebrijes?

The Alebrijes are spirit guides, as they were depicted in the 20-day cycle of the Zapotec calendar. Being strongly connected with nature, the Aztec people created these symbolic creatures mixing two living animals with anthropomorphic characteristics.

Where were alebrijes invented?

Mexico CityThe first alebrijes to be called as such were created by Pedro Linares in Mexico City in the 1930s. A piñata-maker by trade, Linares fell into a delirious sleep while ill and dreamt of a forest of fantastical creatures with mismatched features—each one of them calling out the word alebrijes.

Are alebrijes evil?

While the story is a myth, it is retold over and over throughout Mexico. And, while Linares is credited with creating the alebrijes we see today, his work most likely evolved from the country's traditional papier-mache figures that have been representing evil or the devil in Mexico for centuries.

What does alebrije mean in English?

The word Alebrije means “imaginary” or “fantasy,” describing a style of animal carvings with exceptional paint schemes. As a creative arts therapist, I found this symbolic art form to be fascinating as I came to know about its origins.

How long have alebrijes been around?

Alebrijes originated in Mexico City in the 20th century, in 1936. The first alebrijes, as well as the name itself, are attributed to Pedro Linares, an artisan from México City (Distrito Federal), who specialized in making piñatas, carnival masks and “Judas” figures from cartonería (a kind of papier-mâché).

Do alebrijes protect you?

And those who have the dragon are passionate people. An alebrije is bound to protect you and scare away evil spirits. One of the towns in Oaxaca where you can find personalized alebrijes is San Martin Tilcajete.

What is the purpose of an alebrije?

Nowadays, the alebrije is considered an important element of Mexican surrealist art, mainly made of cardboard, paper or wood and believed to protect one's home from evil spirits. They often take the form of fantastic animals or creatures of mythical origins.

What type of wood are alebrijes made of?

copal woodWhile the traditional method of making alebrijes is still in practice, the more common and sought after alebrijes are the ones made of wood, specifically copal wood. Artisans in Oaxaca had already been creating wood sculptures of animals and other types of figures for centuries when they learned about alebrijes.

Why is Mexican art colorful?

These colors are created from plants, insects and minerals, all naturally occurring in Mexico at the time. Together these original hues proved so much brighter than what was known in the Old World: that new dyestuffs proved more valuable than gold.

What wood is alebrijes made from?

Almost all alebrije carvers in Oaxaca use the wood of trees from the genus Bursera (Family Burseraceae), with a preference for the species B.

What wood is alebrijes made from?

Almost all alebrije carvers in Oaxaca use the wood of trees from the genus Bursera (Family Burseraceae), with a preference for the species B.

What type of wood are alebrijes made of?

copal woodWhile the traditional method of making alebrijes is still in practice, the more common and sought after alebrijes are the ones made of wood, specifically copal wood. Artisans in Oaxaca had already been creating wood sculptures of animals and other types of figures for centuries when they learned about alebrijes.

What are alebrijes protectors of?

An alebrije is bound to protect you and scare away evil spirits.

What kind of paint is used for alebrije?

latex based house paintOriginally, alebrijes were painted with water-based paint that faded or rubbed off, but now producers have switched to latex based house paint. The pieces are rarely sealed or treated for insects.