"Shame on Friar Diego de Landa!"

I was frankly quite moved by the information I learned from watching, "Cracking the Maya Code". Specifically the treatment of the Mayan people. I actually couldn't access the site from the angel website but not a big deal, just went to the PBS site. I never knew this ever occurred and am so thankful for the opportunity to discover such history. So I began with the "Shame on Friar Diego de Landa" title because that is exactly what I said when watching this segment. I was so disgusted by the intolerance he purpetraded on these people simply because their views were different than his. A man who took it upon himself to be their judge and implement horrific atrocities amongst these people. In doing so he also stripped the world of history so powerful and meaningful to all. It's very eye opening to see this and realize that many people throughout history have paid a heavy price from the intolerance of others. What a shame.

Frida's Blue House, Coyoacán, Mexico City

I thought this picture of a room at Frida's home in Coyoacan, Mexico City known as the "Blue House" was of interest. I am assuming these are artifacts that she had placed here when she was alive. There is a definite pre-hispanic feel to this room, the artifact on the table appears to have legs crouched down perhaps a frog or something. I wonder what this room was used for? It seems like it's a connecting room that you would stroll through, I would feel like I was walking through a cleaned of ruins site.

Frida Kahlo Exhibit

Visit to SFMOM:



I was honestly not thrilled about driving up to San Francisco for this event but was appreciative of the experience. I had never been to an art exhibit before and frankly had no clue as to what to expect. Of course it was hectic and crazy especially on a Friday afternoon which is when I could manage to squeeze in the trip. It was extremely difficult not to mention frustrating to actually get a view of the paintings without squinting between all the bodies. I felt rather nervous and rushed when I was able to get up close as others breathed down my neck for a glimpse. I had never even seen her paintings except for her famous face that is all over mugs, shopping bags, and mousepads these days. I immediately was struck by the gory images with great confusion often scrambling to quickly absorb the paintings colors, textures, and meaning. I unfortunately did not notice the audio option before going in and didn't want to waste time trying to figure out whether I could still have the option to use it. So I continued to experience a wave of reactions as I moved about like a pawn on a chess board.

"The Broken Column",1944.


This portrait was remarkably difficult to keep my gaze from averting from it. I could feel the exhaustion of pain in her eyes, the helplessness, and agony. I saw the nails all over her body and I just thought in my head, "I know Frida, exactly." I can never compare the excruciating pain that she underwent with my own but I can sure empathize. I've dealt with years of dreadful physical pain from migraines, neck and back injuries, and chronic myofascial pain. Interesting how her painting made me acknowledge the mental affect as well. The weight that such suffering can bear on the soul beyond the physical trauma can be life altering.


"Me and My Parrots",1941.


I was in awe how the details of this painting just seemed to pop out at me. Her sleeves etched with defined folds and her white shirt so bright in contrast to the dark backdrop. The beautiful shine of her hair so elegantly braided and the attention to every strand that was carefully stroked on canvas. Her parrots are so individually characterized with different textures as though you could feel those with ruffled chests or smooth wings. Even their expressions are unique amongst her gaze. I especially liked the dark and lighter shades of an almost grape purple in her skirt that appeared subtle until I inspected the lower portion more closely I realized how vivid it was. A picture or poster of her works are not comparable to actually seeing the real art with your own two eyes.

Influence of Mesoamerican/Pre-Hispanic art on Frida's work:


"The Love Embrace of the Universe, the Earth, Me, and Señor Xolot", 1949.
This painting displays a very strong pre-hispanic influence from the Tehuana dress she is wearing to the division of darkness with moon and lightness with the sun. She is held in the arms of a pre-columbian idol as though her roots are embracing her, possible comfort?








"Nina Tehuacana Lucha Maria,"1942.
Here we see the pyramids and again the moon and sun are used to divide the opposites. The young girls left ear resembles a rabbit like in the moon. I wondered the link if any to the following information from Acientweb.org. "The Moon Goddess was the female deity associated with the moon. She holds in her arms a rabbit, a symbol of fertility, whose profile can be seen on the face of the moon. She was an ancient god who was worshipped by most mesoamericans. She was the wife of the sun, but her true name has not passed down to us."

Five images of MEXICO.

Yes, sadly but true this is an image that I can not shake from my mind when contemplating about Mexico. The reality is that about 24 million people live in extreme poverty with of course the majority being children. Mexico is advancing in other areas which is good but I would hope that this would have a greater impact on the poor. Geographically this hits closer to home, yet this is a world wide crisis and not just Mexico's problem. We are fortunate not to experience such severe poverty as is in a third world country. It is vastly different from the scale of poverty we may see in the U.S.

The family unit is at the center of the social structure for Mexicans. It's a duty and responsibility to maintain the relations that are rooted deep in the hearts. The ties that bind them can never be truly erased. As life has it's challenges and nothing is ever perfect you can be sure the strong connection to family is ever present. There is a deep sense of pride to value the ones who will always love and support you because you are, "familia". As it is said, "Blood is thicker than water".

This is an outstanding mural by Diego Rivera in Palacio Nacional. During the 1920's, the Mexican muralista art movement evolved after a civil war and people's revolution. The creative outlet that was born with these murals provided a voice for the Mexican people. I am in awe of how one can even paint in such intricate detail but to tell a story solely with visual representation is fascinating.

This image in my opinion is pretty profound. It basically reduces the subject matter of the U.S./ Mexican border to what it is physically. The division of land, step to the right, you are in Mexico, step to the left your in the U.S. It is amazing how it can be viewed in a simple format but in social economic terms be so complex.