Mark Dunn: Recently Added Galleries and Collections

Festival Zacatecas del Folclor Internacional, Zacatecas International Folkdance Festival

pdunn13445@aol.com (Mark Dunn) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Zacatecas, Mexico has had for the past sixteen years a week long annual folkdance festival in late July or early August. This is a robust celebration with 15-20 dance groups from foreign countries usually including Europe, Asia, Canada, and South America. There are also 10-15 groups from various Mexican States. This is a juried presentation for which groups apply to attend, which helps guarantee variety and quality. There are multiple daily performances centered in the City of Zacatecas, and multiple performaces in the State of Zacatecas' other two major cities Fresnillo and Guadalupe. Performances are also spread through many smaller pueblos across this very large state. Mexicanos love dancing, to include folk dancing, and this festival is greeted with much graciousness, enthusiasm and energy. The following series covers the past fourteen years, excluding 2010 which for no good reason are in another gallery. The pagentry, colors and costumes, sheer exuberance and joy are radiated from audiences to dancers and reciprocated in kind. It is a kind of miracle to see such sharing of customs and culture from so many different groups in one place at one time. All these photos were taken at the opening parade, attended by literally tens of thosands of Zacatecanos. There is also a closing parade. Sorry, but I cannot differentiate which group is from where. Enjoy!

Fireworks; Independence Day; Zacatecas, Mexico

pdunn13445@aol.com (Mark Dunn) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

So many of the World's peoples love fireworks, and Mexicanos are a particularly intense example. On the eve of Mexican Independence Day, which is September 16, at 11:00 PM sharp here in Zacatecas, the "Grito" is read by the Govenor before a minimum of fifty thousand people jammed into the main plaza. (Similar events occur in every rancho, pueblo, and cuidad across the Republic, on extremely modest to extravegant scales.) After this comes the fireworks for this special occasion. Then the night is occupied by celebrations, both public and private, some of which literally involve dancing in the streets. As is the custom all celebration is on the eve, and the actually Independence Day is very quiet and subdued. Some of these photos are from other events throughout the year, not just Independence Eve.

Sunset Series

pdunn13445@aol.com (Mark Dunn) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Talk about hackneyed, but then they are astonishing and beautiful. These were taken all over the U.S., but mostly in Mexico. Many were taken in series of one sunset as it progressed.

Iglesia/Church Santa Domingo; Zacatecas, Zac.

pdunn13445@aol.com (Mark Dunn) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

It could be obvious that each major church in Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico has its own unique character. Over the past several years all of these churches have been restored. Santa Domingo with its gold leafed deep bas relief Baroque wall panels are its unique character. Built by the Jesuits in the 1740s, it was taken over by the Dominicans when the Jesuits were expelled in 1767.

2010 Zacatecas del Folclor International/ 2010Zacatecas International Folkdance Festival

pdunn13445@aol.com (Mark Dunn) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

In 2010, July 25 through August 1, fifteen countries (Argentina, Germany, Canada,Columbia, Costa Rica, Equador, Slovoqia, United States del Norte, France, Guadalupe Islands, Panama, Peru, Poland, Tahiti, and two groups from Venzuela), and ten Mexican States (Chihuahua, D.F., Guerrero, Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, Queretaro, Tamalipas, Veracruz, Yucatan, and Zacatecas) were represented by folkdance groups in the annual Zacatecas International Folkdance Festival. These photos are all from the opening parade which is our favorite event because of its vitality and joy. It gives me great hope that people from all over our planet can come together with such beauty and grace. Come see the whole week of this festival some year with its dozens of performances!

Winter Trip Southern Mexicn Gulf Coast

pdunn13445@aol.com (Mark Dunn) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

We usually leave where we live in Central Mexico during part of January and February for a 4-5 week camping trip in our 1985 VW camper van. This is the first one I have a digital record of using my first digital camera, what might have been a 2MP model. These are not a strong collection of images, as my mind was evidently in other quarters. This trip was to Edward James' Surreal Gardens near Xilitla, SLP, the Gulf's Emerald Coast north of Vera Cruz, the Gulf Coast near Catemaco in the Tuxla Mountains, on to Villahermosa, Uxmal, Isla Aguada on the Bahia Termino, and the flamingos of Celestun. The photos of later winter trips will articulate better visuals of these places.

Alaska in late November

pdunn13445@aol.com (Mark Dunn) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

While we have been to Alaska in the summer, we have never been there in the winter. In November of 2009 we visited Fairbanks, and then drove to Anchorage and on to Homer on the Kenai Peninsula. It was -37 F when we arrived in Fairbanks, it slowly moderated to a balmy +26 in the following week, which we understand was an anomaly. The drive south to Homer was a reminder of years living very high in the Colorado mountains. Stunningly beautiful, but stark. Leaving Fairbanks, the bitter cold, blowing snow, avalanche chutes, barren rock faces, stunted stands of spruce growing over permafrost, glacial till instead of real soil, endless stands of forest, and all else you may imagine was a re-eduction. Anchorage was danker and warmer, being closer to the sea. Homer was almost tropical with +45 due to its immediate proximity to the sea. We like Homer in particular more in the winter without the overwhelming stream of tourism. Maybe I like Alaska more in the winter, period.

Shidoni Foundry

pdunn13445@aol.com (Mark Dunn) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Shidoni Foundry in the 1970s was part of a commune of artists located in the same place the foundry is today. The foundry was the only new building I was aware of, other artisans inhabiting literally the chicken coops of the previous commercial inhabitants. In the late 1970s and 80s we would have one or two field trips per school year involving my students which included Shidoni. The commune evaporated, but Tommy Hicks was always extremely gracious when we visitied. In due time I will annotate these slides.

This series in now in the photo archives of the Palace of the Governors/New Mexico History Museum in Sante Fe, New Mexico. If you have interest in them contact: http://www.palaceofthegovernors.org/photoarchives.html

Santa Clara, New Mexico, USA; traditional pottery manufacture version 2

pdunn13445@aol.com (Mark Dunn) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Although Santa Clara has a profound ceramic tradition, there is room to do things in different ways. This is the second version of a traditional firing on this site, and I like the inventiveness. In time I will annotate these visuals so they might make more sense to you.

This series in now in the photo archives of the Palace of the Governors/New Mexico History Museum in Sante Fe, New Mexico. If you have interest in them contact: http://www.palaceofthegovernors.org/photoarchives.html

Making Bricks & Roof Tiles: Mexico

pdunn13445@aol.com (Mark Dunn) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

As a former ceramist who ran a studio business and taught ceramics, my interest in things clay never goes away. Thus I prowl around brick yards here in Mexico and have even found the one roof tile fabrica near Alamos. In due time I will elaborate on these images as while most is obvious, a few things are not.

This series in now in the photo archives of the Palace of the Governors/New Mexico History Museum in Sante Fe, New Mexico. If you have interest in them contact: http://www.palaceofthegovernors.org/photoarchives.html

Chaco Canyon Ruins; New Mexico

pdunn13445@aol.com (Mark Dunn) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Situated in northwest central portion of the State of New Mexico, this "Anazazi" ruin is extensive with separate parts scattered over hundreds of acres. The road into this national historical park from the north, county roads 7900 and 7950, off NM Hwy 44, was graveled a few years ago although I have never been over it since this. The road from the south is dirt and in the Spring can turn to mud a foot deep. Summer is blistering and dry, with few facilities besides a museum and campground. October is a grand time to visit. Yet here in the early part of the Second Millennium C.E., there existed tens of thousands of people who built this, maintained it, traded, worshiped, raised families, and made a living from farming and hunting. Then there apparently was the great climatic change, and eventually moving became the only option. So here exists a ghost city. I will in coming months try to annotate some of these slides as I can which will make the content more meaningful.

This series in now in the photo archives of the Palace of the Governors/New Mexico History Museum in Sante Fe, New Mexico. If you have interest in them contact: http://www.palaceofthegovernors.org/photoarchives.html

Mesa Verde Ruins; Colorado, USA

pdunn13445@aol.com (Mark Dunn) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Mesa Verde is approximately one hundred air miles north of the great ruins of Chaco Canyon and perhaps two hundred miles northwest of Sante Fe. Mesa Verde is located in the extreme southwest corner of the State of Colorado, and easily accessible by paved road with most imaginable facilities including a hotel on site and nearby. Mesa Verde is built on an elevated flatland, in the Southwest called a "mesa". It is significantly higher in elevation than Chaco Canyon, giving it more precipitation and a cooler climate.

This series in now in the photo archives of the Palace of the Governors/New Mexico History Museum in Sante Fe, New Mexico. If you have interest in them contact: http://www.palaceofthegovernors.org/photoarchives.html

Kivas

pdunn13445@aol.com (Mark Dunn) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This series in now in the photo archives of the Palace of the Governors/New Mexico History Museum in Sante Fe, New Mexico. If you have interest in them contact: http://www.palaceofthegovernors.org/photoarchives.html

Vast Array

pdunn13445@aol.com (Mark Dunn) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Horno

pdunn13445@aol.com (Mark Dunn) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

El Tajin renovation, Veracruz

pdunn13445@aol.com (Mark Dunn) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

El Tajin is a major ruin in the northern Verazruz State of Mexico. These few photos were taken in June 1990. Everything you ever wanted to know about El Tajin is on the Internet, but what interested me at the time was the restoration. Mexico over the course of two decades made a very major effort to exccavate and "restore" most of its major ruins. So as often grass covered mounds were dug out to reveal origonal construction, or portions excavated decades earlier, these areas were "reconstructed" to their origonal appearance. This is not an impossible job, but certainly requires skill and experience. Portions were "Disneyfied" so as to give the appearance of the wearing of time. Much the same has been done at our great ruins such as Mesa Verde or Chaco Canyon. Sites also had museums built to illustrate what tourists beheld. Over the course of time I will annotate the slide to point out details I think interesting.

This series in now in the photo archives of the Palace of the Governors/New Mexico History Museum in Sante Fe, New Mexico. If you have interest in them contact: http://www.palaceofthegovernors.org/photoarchives.html

T'siping ruin

pdunn13445@aol.com (Mark Dunn) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Located in the lower slopes of the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico, we call this ruin T'siping although this is actually only the first part of its formal name and also has other names. These photos were taken over a decade starting about 1980. We have visited it perhaps two dozen times, including trips with my students. My children could draw accurate maps of it decades later. What makes this special is that it is one of the very few per-Columbian pueblos made of hewn stone. Second is that it was not badly disturbed by methodical pothunters, probably because they could not get a back hoe up to it. Last, it was also never seriously excavated by archeologists. So if we say arbitrarily that it was abandoned in the late 1200s, this is what it had deteriorated to over seven to eight hundred years. As I have time I will annotate slides so their content may be more clear.

This series in now in the photo archives of the Palace of the Governors/New Mexico History Museum in Sante Fe, New Mexico. If you have interest in them contact: http://www.palaceofthegovernors.org/photoarchives.html

Voladores in Veracruz

pdunn13445@aol.com (Mark Dunn) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

With the help of the Lonely Planet Mexico Guide, this ritual has many symbolic fascinations. Some have connections to Pueblo ritual in the American Southwest according to some sources. This Totonac ritual was traditionally done once a year, but has become a daily tourism attraction for better of worse. The intepretation is that it is a fertility rite with the fliers making the appropriate invocations to the Four Corners of the Universe before falling to the ground, bringing with them the sun and rain. Note that each flier circles the pole, which can be sixty feet tall and in this case steel, 13 times giving a total of 52 revolutions. This is obviously the number of weeks of the Gregorian calendar, but also has important implications in pre-Hispanic calendars of Mexico and parts of Central America. Pre-Columbian Mexico had two calendars, one corresponding with the 365 day solar year calendar. The other ritual calendar has 260 days. A day in one calendar coincided with a day in the other calendar every 52 years! How is that for a bit of magic? The four fliers and the drum/flute player in the middle make a quincunx, the Four Corners of the World with the Cieba tree in the middle to hold up the sky. I have simple notations on many of these visuals which may help with the conceptualization and practical aspects. This series was taken in June 1980.

This series in now in the photo archives of the Palace of the Governors/New Mexico History Museum in Sante Fe, New Mexico. If you have interest in them contact: http://www.palaceofthegovernors.org/photoarchives.html

Canyon de Chelly

pdunn13445@aol.com (Mark Dunn) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

If your French is as good as mine, Shelly is pronounced "Shea". As a national monument in northest Arizona, it is, if memory serves me correctly, actually Navajo Tribal land on which they allow a national monument to exist. If offers a wonder perspective on Navajo culture for the curious. One thing that will always make me smile is staying in the campground. As vehicles full of Navajos toured the campground to see that day's crop of campers, the music issuing from their sound systems varied from traditional drumming to Led Zeplin. These slides attempt to show geography, geology, biology, and a tiny facet of Navajo culture. These visuals were taken about 1980. I will annotate each in the near future so that their meaning can become clearer.

This series in now in the photo archives of the Palace of the Governors/New Mexico History Museum in Sante Fe, New Mexico. If you have interest in them contact: http://www.palaceofthegovernors.org/photoarchives.html

Santa Clara, New Mexico; USA; traditional pottery manufacture, version 1

pdunn13445@aol.com (Mark Dunn) — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 20:02:00 GMT

For approximatly ten years I, with the assistance of my wife and patience of our two children, would take my visual arts students on trips to Northern New Mexico. These usually were about five days in length, and the fact that two-thirds of my high school students had never been out of the State of Colorado made it a grand adventure for them. One of the items on the agenda was a trip to Santa Clara Pueblo to see how traditional pottery was made. The graciousness of Florence Hawley Ellis provided the initial contact, and then over the years we used another family as well as the one you see here. Therefore, my memory can confuse things, and with this in mind I will not credit the pottters and family here for fear of not having it correct. This series of slides were obviously meant as a teaching tool.

This series in now in the photo archives of the Palace of the Governors/New Mexico History Museum in Sante Fe, New Mexico. If you have interest in them contact: http://www.palaceofthegovernors.org/photoarchives.html