Concept in Definition ABC

There are multiple artisan creations in all corners of the world. In Mexico the building of the alebrijes, some figures made of cardboard, layers of papier-mâché, and strips of paper Newspaper. These figures represent some fantastic animal and are relatively recent, since they were invented in the 20th century by a Mexican artist, Pedro Linares López (1906-1992).

Some Mexican cartoneros have managed to transform the cardboard from the streets into art

These cardboard figures are usually put on sale during Easter time and are hung on a rocket to be burned at popular festivals.

Highlight that they are unique and handmade creations without any industrial process. The artisans who work these pieces are known as "cartoneros". In some territories of Mexico, alebrijes are not made from cardboard but from copal wood.

A brief profile of the creator

Pedro Linares began to develop his artisan activity in the capital of Mexico when he was a child. He lived in extreme poverty

and cardboard was the most useful and economical material to create some artistic structure. According to some testimonies this skill he inherited it from his father, who also taught him the art of pottery and manufacturing of piñatas. His first creations were simple colored masks and very simple figures.

As some direct relatives have related, in 1936 he suffered an ulcer that caused him to faint. This circumstance made him lose consciousness and sink into a strange and deep sleep. Immersed in sleep and very close to death Pedro Linares had the vision of some strange figures. Once awake he told his family the mysterious aspect of unreal beings and in a few days he created the first free of it.

This word was also his invention, as he heard it while he was trapped in sleep. In this way, the original masks acquired a new spirit and alebrijes were invented.

In a short time the art of Pedro Linares was recognized by two leading Mexican artists: Diego Rivera and Frida Khalo

Already in adulthood his three children learned the job cartonero and alebrijes became a popular item highly valued in the capital of Mexico.

In the 70s the director of movie theater Judith Bronowski made a documentary about this original craftsman. In 1990 he was awarded one of the greatest distinctions, the National Prize for Sciences and Arts.

His alebrijes have been recognized in the United States and in several European countries. The day before his death she was working on one of his pieces.

Fotolia photos: Jesus / JC

Themes in Alebrijes