The current aesthetics of Mexican Art is a dialogue between tradition and avant-garde, history and current affairs, margin and center, rite and myth, which forms a series of expressions that are increasingly approaching contemporary art, without losing the deep knowledge of the people or their ancestral worldview inherited from generation to generation.
Joaquín Ariosto and Jesús P. Rivera, in their quest to maintain a traditional artisan technique, inherited to them in their family nuclei, retake this knowledge and present their own reinterpretation of “Popotillo Art”. They have practised this technique for 20 years in the heart of San Juan Teotihuacán, in the State of Mexico.
“Popotillo Art” is a century-old technique that arises in the prehispanic era of Mexico. This technique consists in using thin fibres of dyed grass called “popotillo” as the main element to create works of figurative art. The popotillo is cut from the “Mijo” or “Cambray” plant (botanical denomination: Muhlenbergia quadridentata kunth). This plant is most common in regions sorrounding the Popocatepetl volcano in Mexico, the plains of Oaxaca, Cholula, etc.
The process to treat the popotillo consists in cutting it, primarily during the winter season, shaking it and cleaning it in situ, in order to spread the seeds; hence, allowing new popotillo to grow again. Subsequently, it is left to dry for several days. Once it is completely dried, the popotillo is dyed using anilines and/or natural pigments, to create popotillos (straws) in a wide range of colors and shades. Once dyed, the art process begins. Each painting is created by placing these colorful popotillos, one by one, with different lengths and glued with Campeche wax (beeswax) on the canvas; thus creating a new artwork inspired by an ancient aztec technique.
In 2016, Joaquín and Jesús decided to unite their talents and created their artistic signature in co-authorship, ARIOSTO RIVERA. Their inspiration stems from the symbiosis between passion for Mexican art and cultural heritage. Each of their creations is a tribute to their culture and tradition. Their work invites the spectator for reflection and/or admiration of their environment.
Joaquin and Jesús want to revive and preserve this extraordinary ancient technique and thus awaken the motivation to achieve its perfection. This technique has become their means of expression. Their desire is that each and every person can admire and contemplate, every color and millimeter of popotillo that has been meticulously placed in their intricate artworks. And let it be learned that no matter how small or big we are, we are all part of the great masterpiece called LIFE.