In my last post I wrote that I went to the Museum of Popular Arts to see a special exhibit there. The exhibit was titled simply, "El Arbol" (The Tree). The show aims to illustrate the importance of trees to the planet's ecology and to our everyday lives. The tree provides us with a myriad of products and experiences, "from a simple pencil to the beautiful musical notes provided by a harpsicord."
The sign at the entrance of the exhibit says, "Mexico is a megadiverse region; we have the privilege of being one of the ten countries with the most biodiversity on a global scale. Yet, because of greed, lack of planning, and supposed progress, a vast majority of our resources have been depleted in a considerable, if not irreversible, amount. Ignorance, apathy and lack of environmental laws have caused a national disaster." I find that statement very ironic, and I wonder if it is a subtle denunciation of the outgoing President. In pursuit of his pet project, the "Tren Maya" (Mayan Train) in the Yucatán Peninsula, ten million trees were cut down and over 16,000 acres were deforested.
It might seem a theme more fitting for a natural history museum, but on display are a wide variety of objects, from utilitarian items to beautiful pieces of art that are all made from wood.
A 16th century wooden carving of St. Christopher
A wooden 17th century "estipite"
"Estipites" were a type of column used in baroque Mexican architecture.
A wooden post office box
You might be able to make out the letters "R M" standing for "República Mexicana".
Inlaid wooden boxes
A wooden spoon rack (with wooden spoons) and wooden canes
A "molinillo", a wooden tool for frothing hot chocolate
Wooden yokes
Bow and arrows
Wooden carving of a crocodile
A bootblack's box
A large carving of Mexico's national emblem... the Eagle and the Serpent
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