Metepec...and the Tree of Life
Mexico is a country of colors and art. Every state or town has a unique characteristic. In the case of Metepec, it is the Tree of Life or "Arbol de la Vida"
"Arbol de la Vida" is a theme of clay structure created in Central Mexico, specially in the municipality of Metepec, State of Mexico. Originally, the theme depicted in these structures was for the teaching of the Biblical story of creation to natives in the colonial period. But recently, there have been trees with themes unrelated to the Bible. A Tree of Life usually starts with a brown clay sculpture but Mexicans never stop with just a plain color brown. They add colors to make it vibrant.
At first, I wasn't fascinated when I saw one small sculpture which costed too much. But I was interested to see the place where this Tree of Life was generally created. After seeing arrays of different Trees of Life and learning how difficult and tedious to make one, I finally appreciated the art behind this Tree. Every piece attached to the sculpture was carefully placed and painted. But the craft has been waning because of cheap imitation from other country.
I tempted to collect different types of Tree of Life. But I settled for a Noah's ark theme and a big cross decorated with flowers and leaves, in different colors and placed like those in the Tree of Life.
Why a cross? Because for me, that is the source of the meaning of my life. Aside from the person who was nailed on the Cross, my life itself is like a cross...full of sacrifices nevertheless, it is also full of life and color and joy. Life and cross do not need to be boring. It can be just a brown clay of journey but you can make it vibrant and joyful by embracing the different experiences, place and people, which and who will come along your way.
"Arbol de la Vida" is a theme of clay structure created in Central Mexico, specially in the municipality of Metepec, State of Mexico. Originally, the theme depicted in these structures was for the teaching of the Biblical story of creation to natives in the colonial period. But recently, there have been trees with themes unrelated to the Bible. A Tree of Life usually starts with a brown clay sculpture but Mexicans never stop with just a plain color brown. They add colors to make it vibrant.
At first, I wasn't fascinated when I saw one small sculpture which costed too much. But I was interested to see the place where this Tree of Life was generally created. After seeing arrays of different Trees of Life and learning how difficult and tedious to make one, I finally appreciated the art behind this Tree. Every piece attached to the sculpture was carefully placed and painted. But the craft has been waning because of cheap imitation from other country.
I tempted to collect different types of Tree of Life. But I settled for a Noah's ark theme and a big cross decorated with flowers and leaves, in different colors and placed like those in the Tree of Life.Why a cross? Because for me, that is the source of the meaning of my life. Aside from the person who was nailed on the Cross, my life itself is like a cross...full of sacrifices nevertheless, it is also full of life and color and joy. Life and cross do not need to be boring. It can be just a brown clay of journey but you can make it vibrant and joyful by embracing the different experiences, place and people, which and who will come along your way.
Comments
Post a Comment