Mitla as Palimpsest: Architecture, Cosmology, and Iconographic Memory in the Oaxaca Valley

San Pablo Villa de Mitla (Mitla for short,) located in the Tlacolula Valley east of Oaxaca City, is for me an intellectually compelling archaeological site, as well as iconographically truly an inspiration. Unlike some pre-Hispanic sites, where meaning is conveyed through sculpture or painted imagery, Mitla communicates through architectural geometry. The beautiful grecas (intricate mosaic fretwork covering the walls of the palaces) are constructed from thousands of precisely cut stone pieces fitted together without mortar, creating repeating step-frets, spirals, andRead more

Juana Gutiérrez, Natural Dyes, and the Dyeing Traditions of Teotitlán del Valle, Mexico

Juana Gutiérrez, Natural Dyes, and the Dyeing Traditions of Teotitlán del Valle, Mexico Dr. Mark Joseph O’Connell Seneca Polytechnic, Toronto, ON, Canada I recently had the great privilege of visiting the atelier of dyer and weaver, Juana Gutierrez where she gave a lecture and demonstration on natural dyes in Oaxaca. Gutiérrez was one of the first to bring back natural dying for the contemporary woven carpet trade in Mexico. Using traditional dyestuffs she has created thousands of gorgeous colours. SheRead more

Natural Dye Intensive: San Bartolo Coyotepec, Oaxaca, Mexico

In February of 2019 I participated in a natural dye intensive taught by sustainable fashion designer and master dyer Nereida Bonmati of Naive Slow Fashion, at the Tlapanochestli Grana Cochinillia in San Bartolo Coyotepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. During this fascinating and academically rigorous engagement with the practical application of natural dyes I learned about the following natural dyestuffs: pericone; brazilwood; huizache; cochineal; and añil (indigo). I also learned about the history of natural dyeing in Mexico, the history of cochineal (preRead more