Man vs. Nature

Cosmovitral Botanical Garden

A visit to the Cosmovitral Botanical Garden of Toluca, Mexico is truly a man vs. nature experience. A botanical garden housed within the beauty of a building wrapped in a mural of stained glass windows called "Cosmovitral". The running theme of the mural is about man and his relationship to the universe. Cosmovitral, is the coming together of two words, cosmo for the universe and vitral which is Spanish for glass. The building that now houses the Botanical Garden was originally constructed in 1910 as the 16th of September Market, in honor of Mexico's Day of Independence. In 1975 the market closed it's doors and the building sat vacant until 1978, when Leopoldo Flores convinced city government to convert the building into a space for art. It was Flores, who envisioned the stained glass additions and use of the floor space as a botanical garden. In 1980, with the mural of stained glass windows completed, "Cosmovitral" opened to the public. As quickly as the doors opened, they closed due to a change in government. Ten years later, the stained glass ceiling was constructed and the doors were re-opened. The bright colors of the stained glass, mixed with the cooling colors of the plants, is a visual sensation! Your eyes don't know where to look first and it is impossible to take it all in at once.

Hombre Sol (Sun Man)

As in so much of Mexico's architecture, historical and cultural significance is structurally incorporated into a building. Cosmovitral is no exception. Each year, on the day of the Spring Equinox, nature's sun aligns with "Hombre Sol". When the rays of the late afternoon sun pass through the stained glass work, the image of the sun appears as if it is on fire! Until his death, in 2004, Leopoldo Flores, hosted this annual event with a musical concert timed to the passing of the sun..............

La Senora

The Magic Of Patzcuaro (Part Two)

Patzcuaro is a beautiful and magical town, noted for it's traditional adobe and wood architecture, red tiled rooftops and cobblestone streets. It is also home and host to a vibrant artist community, where folk art is still made by hand, using techniques that date back to Pre-Hispanic times. Patzcuaro's "stand out" art form and labor of love is Engraved Lacquer Painting. Lacquer painting is a detailed and brightly colored art form . While visiting an artist workshop, we learned about the process and techniques used to create such art. They start with a hand carved wooden object. The chosen object first receives a 2 part black lacquer application. Once dried, the artist carefully etches a design into the black lacquer, using a thorn from a local tree, that is inserted into the end of a feather for better mobility. This feather tool also serves as a duster for the debris of loosened lacquer. Once the design is completed, a variety of naturally made colored pastes are applied into the etched crevices, finger rubbed into place, dried and repeated over and over until completed. Some pieces are enhanced with a gold leafing to give a dimensional result. Depending on the size and detail, a single piece can take several months to complete. Each piece is unique, for no two pieces are ever alike.

Engraved Lacquer Painted Wood Plate

El Senor (Left!) Takes A Break With A Local Vendor

Life Art Among Textiles For Sale

During our stay in Patzcuaro, we took a day trip to Santa Clara Del Cobre also known as The Copper City. Santa Clara is a "must see" city, that will have you saying, "I must return with a trailer"! The coppersmiths are artistic metalworkers with creations that raise the bar far above the commonly known copper pots and pans. The designs, colors and hammered textures left me in awe. If you can imagine it, they can make it. Some of my favorite pieces were kitchen and bathroom sinks, dinning tables and chairs, kitchen cabinet doors, sideboards, entertainment units, and wall tiles. Unfortunately I am unable to share photos of these pieces, no photography is allowed in the retail stores.

Coppersmith Workshop

(Left, Jewelry Display Board)

Just between us, La Senora may need more than a trailer on a return trip..........

La Senora

The Magic Of Patzcuaro (Part One)

A favorite Mexican tradition of mine is the celebration of "Dia de Muertos" (Day of the Dead or All Saints Day), also referred to as "Noche de Muertos" (Night of the Dead). It is a respectful and beautiful celebration of a loved one's life, not death. The town of Patzcuaro is popularly known throughout Mexico for how it embraces this celebration. Families come together and assemble fresh flower alters at cemetery grave sites and /or within their homes. A favorite meal of the passed loved one is prepared and incorporated into the alter, as well as photos and  prized possessions. Candles light the way for the arrival of the deceased spirit as families prepare to spend the night at their respected alters, sharing food, drink, stories and memories from one generation to the next.

Out of curiosity, we asked a family what happens to the food that is placed on the alter and whether or not it is eaten? They said that they do eat the food the next day, but it has no flavor, because the spirit has taken the flavor with them!

Flowers Arrive By The Truck Load

Setting Up The Flower Stalls

Off To Make An Alter

Tzintzuntzan Cemetery Entrance Covered In Marigolds

Generations Of Helping Hands

Finishing Touches 

Cemetery Alter

Patzcuaro not only lights the way for Day of the Dead, but is also part of an Artisan community shared with neighboring towns. I look forward to sharing that story (Part Two) with you in my next blog.

La Senora

A Birthday And A New Year

 As we bid farewell to 2012, we also celebrated  El Senor's 65th Birthday! My oh my, where have the years gone........

El Senor & La Senora

We hope you all enjoyed the holiday season surrounded by the pillars of life......Family and Friends.
Welcome 2013!

La Senora