OFICIOS
Our annual co-selection titled OFICIOS, here a text of introduction.Casi todos los objetos que se utilizan en la actualidad pueden realizarse fácilmente con plástico derivado del petróleo, en una fábrica enorme, por especialistas cuya cualidad principal consiste en su habilidad para sobrellevar vidas terriblemente monótonas. Son feos, pues la belleza en un objeto depende de la textura de algún material natural combinado con la destreza y el cuidado amoroso de un artesano; su existencia es corta, por lo que, en consecuencia, nuestro mundo se asfixia con objetos de plástico degradados y destrozados, y su producción provoca la contaminación del planeta a una escala que nunca antes se había conocido.
Con frecuencia se nos dice que es la producción en masa lo que posibilita que los miembros de la población mundial posea tantos objetos. ¿Necesitamos tantos objetos como creemos cuando gran parte de ellos acaban rápidamente siendo residuo? ¿Tenemos alguna justificación para utilizar artículos que, por muy práctico que nos sea usarlos, sabemos que fueron producidos en condiciones injustas y hasta anularon a los seres humanos que tuvieron que hacerlos?
The third chapter of our annual co-selection is ALFARERAS.
Ancestral and primitive custom, pottery is one of the first artistic manifestations that, along with cave paintings, Homo sapiens offers us. It is related to the work of ceramics, clay, and the process that creates crafts with this material. Pottery is said to be the oldest industry since our ancestors used this technique to create utensils and other materials for living.
A creative and functional craft of making as ancient as its Neolithic origin, it maintains its basic principles unchanged: earth, water, and fire as fundamental elements in the formation and transformation of the material.
The word pottery, like "alfar," comes from the Arabic "alfaj jár," meaning 'clay,' and "faj jar," meaning 'pottery,' and in turn from the Hebrew "hhafar" (earth, clay).
Its creation is slow and laborious. Hands are the primary vehicle of the creative process, from preparing the clay and throwing it on the wheel to drying it in the sun and a first firing in the kiln.
In Mesoamerica, pottery stood out for its ceremonial and religious use; however, as civilizations grew, so did the complexity and aesthetic care of these pieces. The main centers are found in Puebla, Oaxaca, Mexico, Hidalgo, and Michoacán, each state with its own style due to the specific conditions of the region.
Chapter 3 of our Annual Co-selection ‘Oficios’ comes directly from the earth. It captures the essence of the ‘Alfareras,’ blending nostalgia and patience to create three new pieces that honor this ancient craft:
The Alfareras Skort is a combination of a long, open skirt and shorts made from denim and linen. Since pottery is often worked on in a squatting position, the skirt flares out from the hips down to facilitate movement for this task.
The Apron Top was developed to represent the aprons used by the Alfareras, providing freedom of movement for better performance when molding pottery and working in the kiln. For the first time, we have included a natural dye developed from coffee extraction residues from our home and studio, Sitio. The beans are a variety of Pink Bourbon from Huila, Colombia. Through this garment, we aim to highlight the value of utilizing food waste to create natural dyes.
The Alfarera Visor is a 3D-printed visor created in collaboration with Mexican designer ICEBLADE @iceblade19 . Printed in PLA (Polylactic Acid), a biopolymer made from fermented cornstarch, it is 100% eco-friendly and compostable. The visor is secured to the head using eight cords made from second-hand t-shirts.
Talents:
Andy (She, Venezuela)
Photographer: Sofia Casals, (She/They, Chile) @zoficasals
Stylist: Andrea Cuadrado (They, Nicaragua) @andreasachhs
Espíritu Club
Team:
Silva @5ilv4 , Luciana @lucianaxreynoso , Annika @sunneeeeeeeeee and Ric @babybluric