Eight towering Mexican sculptures of fantastical creatures, including a winged cat and a lion with bull horns, are on display along Route 66 in downtown Albuquerque as part of a national tour celebrating Mexican art, culture and craftsmanship.The exhibit features eight monumental pieces, each standing about 20 to 22 feet tall, placed in public spaces downtown. Smaller versions are also on display at City Hall.The sculptures draw from two Mexican artistic traditions: alebrijes, which originated in Mexico City and are traditionally made of papier-mâché, and nahuales, which come from Oaxaca and are traditionally wood carvings. Exhibition producer Romain Greco said the project is also meant to help people understand the difference between the two, since they are often confused.According to Greco, alebrijes trace back to artist Pedro Linares, who began creating the dreamlike creatures after imagining them in a feverish dream in the 1930s. The exhibit includes work connected to the Linares family tradition, as well as artists from Oaxaca, to show the diversity of styles within Mexican popular art.Greco said the original sculptures are first created on a smaller scale by artists and craftspeople, then enlarged through a separate process that accounts for weight, safety and durability so they can be displayed outdoors.Albuquerque was chosen as a stop on the tour in part because of the city’s Route 66 anniversary celebrations, Greco said, but also because of its deep ties to Mexican and Indigenous cultures.”For us, for me especially, Albuquerque has a special meaning,” Greco said.Greco said the exhibit is designed to be family-friendly and accessible, while also highlighting the skill of Mexican artists and craftspeople.”Sometimes I think it’s kind of difficult for regular people to identify with this modern arts culture,” Greco said. “So, we want to show to all the American society, the Mexican and the Latin and the American people, that they can celebrate, and they can recognize themselves through that culture.”He said he hopes the exhibit helps people see the richness of Mexican culture beyond common stereotypes and recognize the artists behind the work as true artists.The sculptures will remain on display along Route 66 in downtown Albuquerque through July 17.
Eight towering Mexican sculptures of fantastical creatures, including a winged cat and a lion with bull horns, are on display along Route 66 in downtown Albuquerque as part of a national tour celebrating Mexican art, culture and craftsmanship.
The exhibit features eight monumental pieces, each standing about 20 to 22 feet tall, placed in public spaces downtown. Smaller versions are also on display at City Hall.
The sculptures draw from two Mexican artistic traditions: alebrijes, which originated in Mexico City and are traditionally made of papier-mâché, and nahuales, which come from Oaxaca and are traditionally wood carvings. Exhibition producer Romain Greco said the project is also meant to help people understand the difference between the two, since they are often confused.
According to Greco, alebrijes trace back to artist Pedro Linares, who began creating the dreamlike creatures after imagining them in a feverish dream in the 1930s. The exhibit includes work connected to the Linares family tradition, as well as artists from Oaxaca, to show the diversity of styles within Mexican popular art.
Greco said the original sculptures are first created on a smaller scale by artists and craftspeople, then enlarged through a separate process that accounts for weight, safety and durability so they can be displayed outdoors.
Albuquerque was chosen as a stop on the tour in part because of the city’s Route 66 anniversary celebrations, Greco said, but also because of its deep ties to Mexican and Indigenous cultures.
“For us, for me especially, Albuquerque has a special meaning,” Greco said.
Greco said the exhibit is designed to be family-friendly and accessible, while also highlighting the skill of Mexican artists and craftspeople.
“Sometimes I think it’s kind of difficult for regular people to identify with this modern arts culture,” Greco said. “So, we want to show to all the American society, the Mexican and the Latin and the American people, that they can celebrate, and they can recognize themselves through that culture.”
He said he hopes the exhibit helps people see the richness of Mexican culture beyond common stereotypes and recognize the artists behind the work as true artists.
The sculptures will remain on display along Route 66 in downtown Albuquerque through July 17.
