Dreaming In Techno Color

Monumental Alebrije Art Parade Exhibit, Mexico City

Alebrijes are brightly colored sculptures of fantasy creatures. This bizarre and exciting art form is the result of an illness. Artist Pedro Linares began his career in Mexico City, making pinatas and carnival masks. At the age of 30, he fell ill with a very high fever that caused him to hallucinate. In this feverish state of mind, he would dream of wild and unnaturally colored creatures and would hear the voices of people yelling "alebrije" (a nonsense word of no meaning). After Pedro recovered, he began to create his dreams using paper mache, cardboard and brightly colored paints. His work was discovered by a gallery owner in Cuernavaca, Mexico which led to commissioned work by the famous artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. In 1975, a documentary made on the man and his art brought Pedro Linares worldwide exposure. But, it was not until 1990, at the age of 84, and two years before Pedro Linares' death, that he would achieve international success when he received Mexico's National Arts and Science Award in Popular Arts and Traditions.

Monumental Alebrije Art Parade Exhibit, Mexico City

Monumental Alebrije Art Parade Exhibit, Mexico City

Monumental Alebrije Art Parade Exhibit, Mexico City

Today, Pedro Linares' descendants as well as other artists carry on the tradition of Alebrije Art. For mainstream appeal and purchase, the art form has also been adapted onto wood carvings of various sizes. The more "monster" looking pieces are said to scare away bad spirits and protect the home...........

La Senora

My Morning Star

By nature, I am a creature of habit and my morning ritual is the same day after day. I am an early riser. I love the peace of the morning. I take comfort in a sleeping house, knowing that everyone is safe and sound. My early morning hours are usually spent alone. This is my time, for reading, writing, watching the sun rise and appreciating my garden view from the kitchen door. But this morning, something was different in the garden. There appeared to be some color on one of the cactus plants. Thinking it was just a plastic bag that blew into the yard, I decided to deal with it later. Well, the surprise was on me. Waiting in all it's glory was a beautiful star shaped flower. A first bloom, after four years of nurturing!

My Morning Star

Anything is possible in life,  if you are steadfast and have patience.........

La Senora

The Golden Jewel

The Fifth House of Mail, Postal Palace, Mexico City 

The "Golden Jewel" of Mexico City is also known as The Old Post Office, The Postal Palace, and my favorite, The Fifth House of Mail, since it was the fifth building to house a  post office in the city! The Old Post Office has been in service since 1907. The building is an eclectic mix of several different architectural styles, designed by Italian Architect, Adamo Boari. On May 4, 1987, it was declared an Artist Monument. On November 4, 2012, La Senora declared it an Architectural Masterpiece!

Double Staircase

Below, Postal Service Windows

Side View of Staircase

Atrium Ceiling

Elevator

Today our lives revolve around technology and we are spoiled by the speed in which we receive information. Why use "snail mail" when you can email? As post offices struggle to maintain their position in mail delivery, a walk through this post office is a tribute to the "handwritten word" and it's place in history. I still find it fascinating that you can drop a letter into a mail box in one state or country and have it hand delivered in another. When is the last time you received a handwritten note or letter in your mailbox? Do you know the name of your postal carrier? No, "Internet Explorer" does not count! Sooner, rather than later, we will be saying, "remember when" and a younger generation will be asking, "what is a post office"...........

La Senora