We’re just connecting the dots
WINTER TEXAN Volume 10 • Issue 3 October 30, 2024
Your Connection to the Rio Grande Valley
hello
from Kristi
Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is something many of you may not be familiar with, unless, of course, you are a returning Winter Texan or your grandchildren asked you to watch Coco with them. If you haven’t seen Coco, it’s a really cute movie I suggest adding to your watchlist! Growing up in South Texas, I’ve been exposed to this tradition as long as I can remember, and my earliest recollection is making ofrendas (altars) in elementary school as a way to honor those we’d lost. Several years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Mexico City and just so happened to be there as the Dia de los Muertos celebrations took place. What an incredible sight to see! The streets were lined with marigolds, giant decorated skulls, paper flowers, and larger-than-life catrinas. It was a celebration of those we’ve lost and something everyone should have the opportunity to witness! We all have people we’ve lost. I hope you will learn more about Dia de los Muertos and how you might participate in some of our beautiful cultural celebrations. ~We’re just connecting the dots.
Thank You SEASON SPONSORS 2024-2025
Alebrijes y Mas: A Journey in Metal at the Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum (HAHM) runs through November 9. (Photo courtesy of HAHM.)
Enrique Del Angel, metal work artist.
The Journey of Alebrijes
Story by Eryn Reddell Wingert
I
n 1936, artist Pedro Linares experienced a fever dream that spawned the creation of a fantastical addition to Mexican folk art. The story goes: Linares dreamt of mystical creatures emerging from a forest chanting, “Alebrije! Alebrije! Alebrije!” The word comes solely from Linares’ imagination, just like the whimsical creations inspired by the dream. Linares began recreating the creatures, each with a unique mix of animal features, out of paper mâché and with
vivid colors, calling them alebrijes (pronounced: ah-lehbree-hez). International Museum of Arts and Sciences curator Marcelo Ramirez says renowned artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera lauded Linares’ work, collecting and commissioning original pieces. Ramirez says Linares’ work inspired other artists and reproductions of his style. Ramirez references Mexican folk art as “imagery of popular culture through a more indigenous and localized lens, utiliz-
ing materials available at the time.” A Harlingen artist is utilizing what he has available to craft alebrije sculptures: scrap metal, a departure from the traditional use of paper mâché or wood. Enrique Del Angel, 54, turned to car and motorcycle parts to create his unique pieces, currently on display at the Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum exhibit titled Alebrijes y Mas: A Journey in Metal. Del Angel’s journey with metal art began a year and