Cartonería
[1] These sculptures today are generally made for certain yearly celebrations, especially for the Burning of Judas during Holy Week and various decorative items for Day of the Dead.
[2] Paper was developed in the region during the Mesoamerican period using the bark of a type of fig tree called amate or the fibers of the maguey plant.
The Spanish banned its production after the Conquest, because of its use in religious rites, forcing the conversion to European and Asian produced paper.
[1] Since this time, the technique has been used to make a wide variety of objects for both ritual, festival and decorative use, mostly by poorer indigenous and mestizo communities.
For the feast of John the Evangelist, traditional figures include ponies, clowns and dolls with movable legs and arms.
For Independence Day in September, objects include play helmets and swords, along with images of eagles and Father Hidalgo.
[3][5] Year round production includes piñatas for birthday parties, which usually represent figures from popular culture as well as mojigangas, masks, alebrijes and dolls.
The Cora indigenous population in Jesús María, El Nayar and Santa Teresa communities in Nayarit create papier-mâché masks for Holy Week, often to depict the Pharisees.
[2] Despite its historic importance, fewer of the younger generations are dedicating themselves to the crafts as many of the areas known for it, such as Mexico City and Celaya, continue to urbanize.
[9][10] The parish of San Pedro Apostol in Tepotzotlan has an annual event dedicated to promoting cartonería among youth in preparation for Day of the Dead.
In 2011, Esparragoza traveled to Japan to give workshops and exhibit figures made in relation to the project at the Sokei Academy and the Sagio Plaza Gallery in Tokyo.
[13] While piñatas are found at parties year round, they are most traditional for the Christmas season, especially during the weeks prior when "posadas" are celebrated.
The piñata came to Mexico from Europe during the colonial period, although the practice of breaking a container with treats inside originated in Asia.
These are set off to burn the figure and to express anger towards Judas Iscariot for his betrayal of Jesus over two thousand years ago.
[3] From early in the colonial period, they have taken on political themes, starting with images of Spanish soldiers and viceroys, and later leaders such as Antonio López de Santa Anna and Maximiliano I .
[7] Judas figures are still produced and burned in places such as Mexico City, Celaya, Toluca, Atlacomulco and Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl .
[8][14] Similar to those used in traditional festivals in some parts of Europe and Asia, mojigangas are giant papier-mâché figures worn by dancers which can be found in Mexico.
Areas where this tradition is strong includes Cuetzalan in the north of Puebla state and San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato.
[15] In Aguascalientes, a group of youth called Juventud Tultepec created a giant Catrina figure of cartonería fifteen meters tall.
[16] In Oaxaca and the State of Mexico, "entierritos" (little buried ones) are small figures often of monks, made of paper with chickpea heads.
[15] The best known cartonería enterprise is that of the Linares family in Mexico City, with an international reputation for forms such as skeletons, skulls, Judas figures and fantastical creatures called "alebrijes.
[14] Despite questions as to whether the tradition would make it into the succeeding generation, not only do Pedro Linares' three sons dedicate themselves to the craft full-time, three grandsons are also involved in the family business and have made their own innovations such as skeletons depicting prostitutes, drug addicts and sports participants.
This resulted in called "La Muerte Tembloroso" (Death in Tremors) with over fifty life sized skeletons to represent key incidents with figures such as firemen, victims under rubble, injured people, soldiers and even a looter with a television set.
[14] The Day of the Dead season is the busiest for the Linares Family, with interest in the holiday in the United States and Europe translating to even more business for the enterprise.
[14] Their animated skeletons are known for their variety with those that dance, ride skateboards and do any number of common occupations past and present such as streetcar driver.
They also make a version to imitate the sugar skulls created for Day of the Dead, which are profusely decorated with flowers, birds and other items.
