TEKITI

TEKITI means "Work" in Nahuatl and is one of the main projects of Sofia Cruz del Río, a woman determined to transform her reality and that of others; through collaboration and the generation of fair business models. TEKITI has a network of artisans that in total integrate a catalog of more than 35 artisan techniques. Out of this long list of creators I introduce you to Don Ángel Ortiz, the 35 Mujeres Group, Guillermo Vandivia, Odilia Morales, Paulino Gutíerrez, Jesus Rodríguez, Virgina Plascencia and Reina Cortés.

ÁNGEL ORTÍZ

PAINTING ON CLAY AND CLAY BURNISHING

TONALÁ

Angel learned to work with clay at the age of 11 years old, first from his parents and sometime after with Jorge Wilmont. For him: "every piece tells a story". His imaginary, where he keeps the essence of his imagination; is made of farmlands, patronal festivities, women making tortillas, life and death.

GRUPO 35 MUJERES

CORN LEAF AND PALM WEAVING

SAN CRISTOBAL

A group of women gets ready for a delivery of handmade dolls. They´ve been together for 30 years, transforming with their hands corn and palm leaves. Of the 40 designs they have, dolls is the product more requested; from Reinosa in the north of the country, to the National Museum of Anthropology.

GUILLERMO VALDIVIA

GLAZED CLAY

TONALÁ

Guillermo has 47 years working with clay. He and his sons are taking their heritage into a new level, always doing everything handmade. Thanks to the 4 types of clay they use; the pieces done by this inspiring family are distinguished to be resistant, of great utility and quality.

ODILIA MORALES

TULE, WICKER AND PALM WEAVING

TONALÁ

Tule, wicker and palm; is what Odilia has transformed with her hands in the last 40 years. Her family is present in each part of the process, thanks to this; the business grows, diversifies and constantly renews to offer the public useful and unique pieces that last for long.

PAULINO GUTÍERREZ

BLOWN GLASS

TONALÁ

Pauline’s inheritance comes from the early 30's, when his father started the blowing glass workshop. The rhythm of work here is intense, whether by the heat of the ovens or by the fast pace of the production chain. Each glass piece is unique, result of a blow of life and dedication.

JESÚS RODRÍGUEZ

BASALT STONE

SAN LUCAS EVAGELISTA

Jesus work is careful, detailed and sober. Maybe his experience in jewelry allows him to make a difference in what he does. To find the right stone, dig around, transport and transform a huge piece of stone; is the one prove that shows the power in his hands. Jesus is proud of what he does, even more when other people acknowledge it.

VIRGINIA PLASCENCIA

PEDAL LOOM

AJIJIC

There are many stories that Virginia could tell about her family's loom. Like how they learned to knit thanks to an English man that lived in Ajijic; or their customers in Mérida, Los Cabos, Canada and the United States, or about the more than 80 color combinations you can find in their designs. For me, the best is "the miracle of New York".

REINA CORTÉS

PALM WEAVING MIXTECA STYLE

TONALÁ

Reina has been in Jalisco for about 26 years, the same time she has worked weaving palm. She learned it from her father, and since it is in the city where she sells her crafts, it is from the street that she gets her inspiration to make hand bags, baskets and purses. For her to keep this tradition alive, means a huge effort.

Global culture constantly transforms the meaning of art and artistic expression. Every day there is a new trend that, depending on our exposure to the media, we assimilate and integrate to our criterion to a greater or lesser extent. To consume artisanal is one of those trends, and although it seems that the formula is to exacerbate the psychological and social attributes that this culture of consumption implies; for example through attractive designs and marketing strategies, it is also true that this context is an opportunity to look back at traditional crafts and craftsmen/women, as precursors of a historical activity that is in constant struggle to find its place in the contemporary moment.

It is in this context that I was invited to collaborate with TEKITI and MUTUO in an almost ethnographic exercise, a trip through different towns in the state of Jalisco México to interview artisans, listen to their stories, expectations and needs. Although my main job was to gather information, I could not help myself from taking photos of the experience.

Many thanks to MUTUO for making me part of the adventure, their work as a communication agency focused on social organizations and institutions is exciting and needed. See the video produced by TEKITI and MUTUO PROJECT.