The exhibition, Dobles Vidas: Folk Art from The Mexican Museum, will showcase more than 60 artworks that explore the many stories an object can tell about the people, places, and traditions of those who create, use, and collect them. From Huichol yarn paintings to wooden animals, ceramic muñecas to barro negro, Dobles Vidas examines the many facets of folk art in Mexico as a way to build understanding.
As the title Dobles Vidas (Double Lives) suggests, this exhibit focuses on the lives and stories that folk art encompasses. While the majority of folk artists remain anonymous, Dobles Vidas introduces viewers to a number of Mexico’s internationally-recognized artists—Doña Rosa, Teodora Blanco, Josefina Aguilar, and Pedro Linares—as well as major collectors such asNelson A. Rockefeller who brought Mexico’s folk art traditions to the attention of the New York art establishment in 1940.
Dobles Vidas includes works from nine of Mexico’s states, looking at the ways that locale—which regions artworks comes and where they are commonly used, whether it be in the home, church or elsewhere—influences the materials and aesthetics of a particular artwork. Focusing on place, gallery visitors will discover the many ways that function influences form, with a focus on ceramics from Jalisco, Oaxaca, Pueblo and Mexico City.
This exhibitionalso presents masks and hats used in indigenous ceremonies as well as objects used to commemorate important Mexican religious festivals such as Day of the Dead and Day of the Virgin Guadalupe. In contrast, the exhibit also celebrates artists’ imaginations and innovations. Perhaps best known among these are the fantastical papier maché alejibres first imagined by Pedro Linares during a fever-induced hallucination in the 1940s. Today the alebrije is synonymous with Mexican folk art.
The Dobles Vidas exhibit opens August 18 and includes a number of events that are free and open to the public. All are welcome to attend the following:
· Tuesday, August 26, from 2-4 p.m.: An insider’s introduction and opening reception will take place in the gallery.
· Sunday, September 28, 12:30-2:30 p.m.:“Community Folk Art Festival for the Family” replete with live music, dance, hands-on arts demonstrations, and bilingual tours.
· Tuesday, October 21 from 1:30-2:30 p.m.: USF will host Evelyn Orantes, curator of Public Practice for the Oakland Museum and Ani Rivera, executive director of Galería de la Raza. These community leaders will discuss the role that Day of the Dead programming plays in community-building and celebrating Mexican culture. The Oct. 21 lecture will take place in the McLaren Conference Center on the USF campus.
Dobles Vidas: Folk Art from The Mexican Museumwill run from August 18 to December 12, 2014.