What are alebrijes in Mexican art?
Alebrijes (Spanish pronunciation: [aleˈβɾixes]) are brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical (fantasy/mythical) creatures. The first alebrijes, along with use of the term, originated with Pedro Linares.
Why are alebrijes so popular?
More recent predecessors in Mexican culture, artists Julio Ruelas and graphics artist/commentator José Guadalupe Posada, created fantastic and sometimes terrifying images. Alebrijes, especially the monsters, have gained a reputation for "scaring away bad spirits" and protecting the home.
Where did the term alebrijes come from?
The first alebrijes, along with use of the term, originated with Pedro Linares. … Upon recovery, he began recreating the creatures he saw in cardboard and papier-mâché and called them Alebrijes. Have you ever heard of Alebrijes? Me either until a few months ago visiting Pixar Animation Studios learning about Pixar Coco.
What is alebrije carving?
Alebrijes are carved from the copal wood. The tree referred to as copal is native to Mexico and has many uses beyond alebrije carving. The sap or resin can be used for a variety of medicinal purposes including treating scorpion bites, relieving cold symptoms, headache, and acne.
What powers do alebrijes have?
Powers and Abilities Due to their animal forms, they also have their abilities, behavior and instincts. As winged Alebrijes have the ability of flight, while Alebrijes with a strong scene of smell can track down who and what they want to find with it's sent.
Why are alebrijes important to the Day of the Dead?
Alebrijes sculptures are meant to guide spirits on their journey to the afterlife. Alebrijes are traditionally a fusion of several different animals, and Angeles and his team chose animals specifically for what they represent in Mexican culture.
Do Mexicans believe in alebrijes?
Alebrijes are not actually something Mexicans believe in. Them being spiritual guides in the afterlife was just Pixar taking creative liberties with a very popular type of folk art in Mexico.
What do the alebrijes do in Coco?
They are depicted as spiritual guardians. One the most imposing of the alebrijes in Coco is Pepita, a mashup of a lion and an eagle that guides Mama Imelda, Miguel's great-great-grandmother who is key in getting him back to the Land of the Living.
Do alebrijes protect you?
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 does alebrije mean in English?
The word Alebrije means “imaginary” or “fantasy,” describing a style of animal carvings with exceptional paint schemes.
What is considered disrespectful in Mexico?
Mexicans often "hold" a gesture (a handshake, a squeeze of the arm, a hug) longer than Americans and Canadians do. Don't stand with your hands on your hips; this signifies anger. It is considered rude to stand around with your hands in your pockets.
Are alebrijes good luck?
They give good luck wishes with this charming cricket, handcrafted of copal wood with various intricate parts that assemble together.
What are the four elements of an alebrije?
Pedro Linares' original alebrijes were hybrid creatures, containing qualities from the four elements — Earth, Air, Water and Fire.
What is the story behind alebrijes?
The origin of the Alebrijes can be traced to Pedro Linares, an artist who lived in Mexico City in the 1930s. Linares said that in 1936 he was very ill and then became unconscious. While in a state of unconsciousness, he began to hallucinate and see visions of a forest with strange animals.
What is a spirit animal called in Spanish?
An alebrije is a sort of spirit animal, meant to guide you through your life.These animals are guides, protectors, and mischief makers.
Why do the skeletons in Coco have eyes?
Eyes. Pixar has given the skeletons in their upcoming film Coco eyes to help make them more kid-friendly.
How are Alebrijes connected to the Day of the Dead?
Alebrijes are represented in Mexican folk art as vibrant, fantastical creatures that often resemble dragons, lizards and other mystical creatures. In the animated Disney film about Day of the Dead, Coco, alebrijes are “spirit animals” that guide the spirits of ancestors on their journey.
What is the most important thing in the celebration of Day of the Dead?
Altars. The centerpiece of the celebration is an altar, or ofrenda, built in private homes and cemeteries. These aren't altars for worshipping; rather, they're meant to welcome spirits back to the realm of the living.
What is the importance of skeletons Day of the Dead?
Why? Mexicans honor their ancestors on Day of the Dead, but they're also reminding themselves that death is just a part of life. Hanging out with skeletons reminds people that one day they will be skeletons—but not for a very long time!
What is the story behind Alebrijes?
The origin of the Alebrijes can be traced to Pedro Linares, an artist who lived in Mexico City in the 1930s. Linares said that in 1936 he was very ill and then became unconscious. While in a state of unconsciousness, he began to hallucinate and see visions of a forest with strange animals.
What is the Alebrije parade?
The 2009 parade featured more than 130 giant alebrijes made of wood, cardboard, paper, wire and other materials, and marched from the Zocalo in the historic center of the city to the Angel of Independence monument on Paseo de la Reforma. Entries by artisans, artists, families and groups each year have gotten bigger, more creative and more numerous, with names like
What is the Alebrije Festival?
There are usually also vendors selling other local products such as ice cream as well. Annually, the municipality holds its Feria del Alebrije (Alebrije Festival), which features alebrije sales and exhibitions, music, dance and theatre.
What is an Alebrije?
Alebrijes ( Spanish pronunciation: [aleˈβɾixes]) are brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical (fantasy/mythical) creatures. The first alebrijes, along with invention of the term, originated with Mexico City cartonero Pedro Linares. Linares often told that in 1936, he fell very ill, and while he was in bed, unconscious, he dreamt of a strange place resembling a forest. There, he saw trees, animals, rocks, clouds that suddenly turned into something strange, some kind of animals, but, unknown animals. He saw a donkey with butterfly wings, a rooster with bull horns, a lion with an eagle head, and all of them were shouting one word, "Alebrijes! Alebrijesǃ Alebrijes!" Before this happened, he was already a cartonero artisan. Upon recovery, he began recreating the creatures he saw in Cartonería, the making of three-dimensional sculptures with different types of papers, strips of papers and engrudo (glue made out of wheat flour and water)
Where is the Alebrije carved?
An alebrije being carved from Copal wood in Arrazola.
What did Linares dream about?
Linares often told that in 1936, he fell very ill, and while he was in bed, unconscious, he dreamt of a strange place res embling a forest. There, he saw trees, animals, rocks, clouds that suddenly turned into something strange, some kind of animals, but, unknown animals.
Where did the paper art alebrije originate?
Alebrije named Michin Rojo with salute to Pedro Linares. Alebrijes originated in Mexico City in the 20th century, in 1936.
How long does it take to carve a tree?
The carving of a piece, which is done while the wood is still wet, can last anywhere from hours to a month, depending on the size and fineness of the piece. Often the copal wood that is used will influence what is made, both because of the shapes the branches can take and because male and female trees differ in hardness and shape. Carving is done with non-mechanical hand tools such as machetes, chisels and knives. The only time a more sophisticated tool is used is when a chain saw is employed to cut off a branch or level a base for the proposed figure. The basic shape of the creature is usually hacked using a machete, then a series of smaller knives used as the final shape is achieved. Certain details such as ears, tails and wings are usually made from pieces separate from the one for the main body.
Alebrijes, do you know their meaning?
Do you know what the alebrijes mean in Mexico and what name these strange, colorful and mysterious figures receive in English?
Alebrijes are monsters in very vivid colors that represent imaginary and fantastic animals
Inspired by real creatures and combinations of them, from the pure imagination of popular artists.
What do the Alebrijes Mean to the Zapotecs?
In the Zapotec communities of Oaxaca, they carve alebrijes from wood and dye them with natural or acrylic paints. Of course, they use copal, which is the same tree from which they extract the resin used as an offering on the Day of the Dead.
What does the word Alebrijes mean in English?
They translate to “spirit guides” or “spiritual guides”. They are in charge of guiding the souls of the dead through the spiritual world and meeting all their needs along the way.
Alebrijes from Mexico to the world
Inside and outside of Mexico, many people are intrigued to learn more about these fantastic creatures. For this reason, it is not uncommon for it to be one of the most represented elements in the main festivals.
What are the Alebrijes?
Alebrijes (Spanish pronunciation: [aleˈβɾixes]) are brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical (fantasy/mythical) creatures. The first alebrijes, along with use of the term, originated with Pedro Linares. In the 1930s, Linares fell very ill and while he was in bed, unconscious, Linares dreamt of a strange place resembling a forest. There, he saw trees, animals, rocks, clouds that suddenly turned into something strange, some kind of animals, but, unknown animals. He saw a donkey with butterfly wings, a rooster with bull horns, a lion with an eagle head, and all of them were shouting one word, " Alebrijes ". Upon recovery, he began recreating the creatures he saw in cardboard and papier-mâché and called them Alebrijes.
What did Linares dream about?
In the 1930s, Linares fell very ill and while he was in bed, unconscious, Linares dreamt of a strange place resembling a forest. There, he saw trees, animals, rocks, clouds that suddenly turned into something strange, some kind of animals, but, unknown animals.
When was Pedro Linares born?
Pedro Linares was originally from México City (DF), born there June 29, 1906, and he never moved out of México City. He died January 25, 1992.
Who are the Alebrije artisans?
The three towns most closely associated with Alebrije production in Oaxaca have produced a number of notable artisans such as Manuel Jiménez, Jacobo Angeles, Martin San Diego, Julia Fuentes and Miguel San Diego. Pedro Linares was originally from México City (DF), born there June 29, 1906, and he never moved out of México City.
Who invented paper mache to wood carving?
The paper mache-to-wood carving adaptation was pioneered by Arrazola native Manuel Jiménez. This version of the craft has since spread to a number of other towns, most notably San Martín Tilcajete and La Unión Tejalapan, and has become a major source of income for the area, especially for Tilcajete.
What is the art of Copaleros?
Copaleros collect the wood, which is then dried, and pieces are selected for carving. The shape of the branch often dictates the figure to be carved. Intricate, twisting shapes are desirable for carving lizards, cats, and dragons with interwoven tails. The figures are sanded and painted with a base coat of paint. The final painting is done meticulously with intricate patterns and vibrant colors. Originally, 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. According to Michael Chibnik, it is not uncommon to find a pile of sawdust around an alebrije, resulting from a wood-boring insect eating the alebrije from the inside. Chibnik recommends freezing the alebrije for a couple weeks to kill any unwelcome critters (Chibnik, 94-111).
What is an alebrije made of?
Wood. Alebrijes are carved from the copal wood. The tree referred to as copal is native to Mexico and has many uses beyond alebrije carving. The sap or resin can be used for a variety of medicinal purposes including treating scorpion bites, relieving cold symptoms, headache, and acne.
How to tell if an alebrije is superior?
One way of telling which is a superior alebrije is by looking at how the eyes are painted. Some alebrijes are signed. Because tourists highly value the signed pieces, this has been incorporated into the ‘tradition’. However, the alebrije may have had many hands contribute to its making, but only one person signs it.
Why was the Alebrije trade so successful?
Much of the success of the sale of alebrijes can be attributed to improved infrastructure and communication within Mexico. Ease of communication via telephone, cell phone, and the Internet enhanced the ability of both marketers and crafters to obtain materials as well as to accept and complete orders. However, the alebrije trade is dependent upon the demand for indigenous craft by the middle and upper class in the United States, Canada, and Europe (Chibnik, 19-35).
Where did Alebrijes come from?
In 1967, Martín Santiago, of the village La Unión Tejalapan, signed a contract with Enrique de la Lanza (one of Jiménez’ patrons) to produce alebrijes. Santiago taught the craft to his brothers and developed a successful family business. In 1968, the production of alebrijes spread to the community of San Martín Tilcajete. By this time, alebrijes were becoming very popular among tourists as an indigenous artifact, despite the fact that they were actually commodities of recent origin. The director of Mexico’s National Tourist Council learned of Isidoro Cruz’ work in San Martín Tilcajete and arranged for his alebrijes to be viewed in an exposition in Mexico City and Los Angeles.
What is gendered division of labor in the production of Alebrijes?
Gender and Signatures. There is gendered division of labor in the production of alebrijes. Males, both men and boys, gather and carve wood, since wood gathering and carving is a long established tradition in rural Oaxaca. The sanding of the alebrijes is a monotonous job that is usually relegated to children or unskilled labor.
What is the job of sanding an alebrije?
The sanding of the alebrijes is a monotonous job that is usually relegated to children or unskilled labor. Women typically paint the alebrijes, with the most talented painters creating the most intricate and complex patterns (Chibnik, 94-111).
What did Pedro Linares make?
During the 1930s, Pedro Linares made piñatas, carnival masks, and religious figures from papier mâché that were sold in mercados throughout Mexico City. When he began using paper and cardboard to craft large, vivid, ethereal creatures that no one had ever seen before, he caught the attention of a prominent gallery owner who marketed the pieces. This garnered so much recognition for Linares' work, that Diego Rivera and Frida Khalo began commissioning alebrijes by Linares. Alebrjies became celebrated throughout Mexico and abroad. Thus, Linares was equipped to take a folk art tradition in a new direction.
What is the name of the park that commemorates a peace treaty between the United States and Mexico?
Alebrijes: Surreal Oaxacan Folk Art. As an urban park that commemorates a peace treaty between the United States and Mexico, Chamizal National Memorial is not famous for its thriving animal habitat.
Who created the fantasy creatures?
Fantasy Creatures Born of Fevered Dreams. 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.
Who was the first person to make a brightly colored creature out of copal wood?
Linares returned home to his native Arrazola in Oaxaca. He shared his designs with artisans in his village. A man named Manuel Jimenez was the first to create the brightly colored creatures out of copal wood instead of papier mâché.
Do Alebrijes have wings?
Alebrijes have horns, antlers, wings, fins, and some have them all at once! Though no two are exactly alike, all alebrijes have startlingly vibrant color markings. They feature detailed patterns of stripes, dots, geometric shapes, flowers, and flames.
What are the Alebrijes?from en.wikipedia.org
Alebrijes ( Spanish pronunciation: [aleˈβɾixes]) are brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical (fantasy/mythical) creatures. The first alebrijes, along with invention of the term, originated with Mexico City cartonero Pedro Linares. Linares often told that in 1936, he fell very ill, and while he was in bed, unconscious, he dreamt of a strange place resembling a forest. There, he saw trees, animals, rocks, clouds that suddenly turned into something strange, some kind of animals, but, unknown animals. He saw a donkey with butterfly wings, a rooster with bull horns, a lion with an eagle head, and all of them were shouting one word, "Alebrijes! Alebrijesǃ Alebrijes!" Before this happened, he was already a cartonero artisan. Upon recovery, he began recreating the creatures he saw in Cartonería, the making of three-dimensional sculptures with different types of papers, strips of papers and engrudo (glue made out of wheat flour and water)
How to tell if an alebrije is superior?from uknowledge.uky.edu
One way of telling which is a superior alebrije is by looking at how the eyes are painted. Some alebrijes are signed. Because tourists highly value the signed pieces, this has been incorporated into the ‘tradition’. However, the alebrije may have had many hands contribute to its making, but only one person signs it.
Where did the paper art alebrije originate?from en.wikipedia.org
Alebrije named Michin Rojo with salute to Pedro Linares. Alebrijes originated in Mexico City in the 20th century, in 1936.
Who was the wood carver in Arrazola?from uknowledge.uky.edu
One such wood carver was Manuel Jiménez of the town of Arrazola. In the 1940s, Jimenez saw the opportunity to capitalize on the demand for local crafts. He began to carve animals and figurines to sell in the street markets. Until the mid-1960s, Jiménez basically maintained a monopoly on alebrije carving in his village.
¿Qué características tienen los alebrijes?from criteriohidalgo.com
La característica principal de los alebrijes, además de su forma surrealista y sus vínculos con las historias de nuestros antepasados, son sus colores pintorescos y llamativos.
What is the wood called that Linares carved?from en.wikipedia.org
Linares demonstrated his designs on family visits and which were adapted to the carving of a local wood called copal; this type of wood is said to be magical, made from unitado magic. In the 1990s, the artisans of Oaxaca began to use the word Alebrije to designate their figures carved in wood.
How many alebrijes were there in the 2009 parade?from en.wikipedia.org
The 2009 parade featured more than 130 giant alebrijes made of wood, cardboard, paper, wire and other materials, and marched from the Zocalo in the historic center of the city to the Angel of Independence monument on Paseo de la Reforma.
What is the dog that inspired Pepita and Dante?
Fun Facts About Pixar COCO’s Pepita and Dante. The inspiration for Dante came from a Xoloitzcuintli dog, which is the national dog of Mexico. The animators got ideas from other famous Disney dogs in “Lady and the Tramp,” and Dug from “Up” to develop Dante’s movements.
What is the significance of Alebrijes?
The Significance of Alebrijes + Fun Facts About Pixar COCO’s Pepita and Dante. Alebrijes (Spanish pronunciation: [aleˈβɾixes]) are brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures. The first alebrijes, along with use of the term, originated with Pedro Linares. ….
What movie does Pepita cast lighting from?
In the film Pixar COCO, Pepita casts a lighting from her body as she walks around.
What is Dante's tongue modeled after?
Dante’s tongue was modeled after the tentacles for Hank in “Finding Dory.”. Having Dante’s tongue always hanging out to the side gave him more of a personality than being just a beat up street dog.
What is a pepita?
Pepita is a mashup of a lion and an eagle with a lizard tale, eagle feet and wings, front arms/head of a jaguar, and ram horns.
Where are Alebrijes from?
Alebrijes are animals that escaped the nightmares of an artist and appear as a variety of different species – both real and fantastic and native to the Valley of Oaxaca in Mexico. They are rare and unique animals that hold a special place of being a spirit guide.
Who is the director of Pixar Coco?
Writer and Co-Director Adrian Molina collected Alebrijes as a kid and now they have become part of the movie Pixar Coco. While we were learning about Alebrijes, we got a chance to make our own Pepita in the workshop.
Who Does The Carving?
Woodcarving was initially a solitary activity, and only one person did all the aspects, especially a male. However, in the 1980s, when the sales started to hike, family members began sharing the work.
What type of wood do Alebrijes use?
Almost all Oaxaca Alebrijes carvers use wood from genus Bursera (Family Burseraceae), preferably species B. glabrifolia (copalillo or copal). Copal trees are typically from dry tropical forests within Oaxaca and its neighborhood.
What is Alebrijes art?
Alebrijes refers to different varieties of crafts, although Pedro Linares family has a lot of control over this name. The family continues exporting their craftwork to galleries and showing the world Mexican folk art. However, with the new emerging styles of Alebrijes from different artisans and artists, this craft has formed part of the folk art repertoire of Mexico.
What tools do carvers use?
Carving involves using non-mechanical hand tools like chisels, knives, and machetes. The only sophisticated tool the carvers can need in this process is a chain saw for cutting off branches and leveling the bases for the proposed figures. The role of the machete is to hack the basic shapes of the creatures while the smaller knives achieve the final shapes. Details like wings, tails, and ears are crafted from separate pieces from the main figure.
Where did the copal wood come from?
Initially, the carvers got wood on their own from the local forests. Copal trees do not produce very much wood, and they are very squat and short. Despite the success in woodcarving, there has been a drain on the wild copal, and many trees near Arrazola and Tilcajete have disappeared. The depletion of the local trees in Oaxaca led to the rise of a copal wood market. It is a complex exercise to obtain the wood because it requires economic, legal, and social norms to negotiate with the municipalities. The environmental authorities in several areas are also trying to preserve the copal trees, and some areas have also refused to sell their wood. As a result of these difficulties, copal wood black markets are emerging, and the vendors selling the supplies to the carvers are known as "cocaleros."
Why do carvers use aniline paint?
The acrylics withstand constant cleanings, and they also resist fading. However, some carvers still use aniline paints because they have a rustic look that customers want. Either way, painting involves two layers: a superimposed multicolored design and a solid undercoat.
How long does it take to carve a tree?
Carving one piece can take you hours or even a month. This depends on the fineness and size of the piece. The wood used for carving must also be wet, and it determines the carving that will come out. The carving depends on the shape of the branches and the gender of the tree; Female and male trees differ in shape and hardness. If you didn't think of trees in terms of gender, now you better.
Overview
Original papercraft alebrijes
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, an ancient and widespread papercraft often confused with papier-mâché. He sold his work in markets such as the one in L…
Description
The monos de madera or alebrijes as they are called in Spanish were originally created by carver Manuel Jimenez but soon became so popular that other people from his town and a few other communities in Oaxaca began carving to have an extra income. The first alebrijes, along with the invention of the term, originated with Mexico City cartonero Pedro Linares. Linares often told that in 1943, he fell very ill. While he was in bed unconscious, he dreamt of a strange place resembling …
Carved wood alebrijes
Many rural households in the Mexican state of Oaxaca have prospered over the past three decades through the sale of brightly painted, whimsical wood carvings they call alebrijes to international tourists and the owners of ethnic arts shops in the United States, Canada, and Europe. What are called "alebrijes" in Oaxaca is a marriage of native woodcarving traditions and influence from Pedr…
Other parts of Mexico
Outside of Mexico City and Oaxaca, alebrijes are known and made but mostly as a hobby rather than as a significant source of work. Most of these alebrijes are made with papier-mâché, wire, cardboard and sometimes with other materials such as cloth. Alebrije workshops and exhibitions have been held in Cancún. Workshops on the making of alebrijes with the purpose of selling the…
Illuminated alebrijes
An innovation in alebrijes are versions which are lighted, generally designed to be carried by a single person on the shoulders. Instead of cartonería, these alebrijes are made on movable metal frames, with LED lights and with cloth and/or plastic skin. This style of alebrije was first presented at a short parade dedicated to them in 2014 in Colonia Roma. These versions have been made in Mexico City by various artists, especially in workshops such as the Fábrica de Artes y Oficios Ori…
See also
• Mexico City Alebrije Parade
• El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera - One of the villains is an Alebrije Monster.
• Coco - Countless alebrijes inhabit the land of the dead, some as spirit guides
• El Alebrije, Mexican luchador enmascarado based on an Alebrije entity
External links
• Amo Alebrijes (Spanish version)
General History
Production
- Copaleros collect the wood, which is then dried, and pieces are selected for carving. The shape of the branch often dictates the figure to be carved. Intricate, twisting shapes are desirable for carving lizards, cats, and dragons with interwoven tails. The figures are sanded and painted with a base coat of paint. The final painting is done meticulously with intricate patterns and vibrant colo…
Gender and Signatures
- There is gendered division of labor in the production of alebrijes. Males, both men and boys, gather and carve wood, since wood gathering and carving is a long established tradition in rural Oaxaca. The sanding of the alebrijes is a monotonous job that is usually relegated to children or unskilled labor. Women typically paint the alebrijes, with the most talented painters creating the …
Wood
- Alebrijes are carved from the copal wood. The tree referred to as copal is native to Mexico and has many uses beyond alebrije carving. The sap or resin can be used for a variety of medicinal purposes including treating scorpion bites, relieving cold symptoms, headache, and acne. The fruit and foliage of three produces aromatic linaloe oil used in making lotions, essential oils, and …
Sources
- Chibnik, Michael. Crafting Tradition: The Making and Marketing of Oaxacan Wood Carvings. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2003. Peters, Charles M., Silvia E. Purata, Michael Chibnik, Berry J. Brosi, Ana M. Lopez, and Myrna Ambrosio, “The Life and Time of Bursera glabrifolia (H.B.K.) Engl. in Mexico A Parable for Ethnobotany,” Economic BotanyVol. 57, No. 4 (Winter 20…