Update - January 28, 2009
Seeds
I have set off on this project in Mexico with minimal Spanish. This wasn't intentional but it lends itself to my purpose of experiencing what it must be like to be an immigrant in a country whose language, environment, food and customes are unfamiliar.
I've been drawing different seeds and plants that I find in the terrain and in the markets as Joyce and I travel. They are beautiful, becoming more so as my eyes adjust to the intricate details of colour, texture and form. As we jostle through the mercados, along narrow sidewalks, looking for certain fruits or places to eat at, I become aware of the necessity of language. Fluency is the door to self expression. My desire to understand and be understood is restricted by my lack of Spanish.
I listen to Joyce's Spanish as she engages in animated conversation with the taxi driver, with the man selling the daily newspaper. I observe the increase in speed and varying intonations of her response as she relaxes into the conversation. Her face and hands, her physical posture gives further nuances to the conversation as they exchange ideas and greetings and soon her Spanish blends with the cadence of the others speakers.
Seeds...some seem exotic, intriguing new experiences. I am hesitant, cautious in tasting new foods what the locals call Mamay,Granadas, Jicama. I have no words to describe their flavour or texture. I struggle even in English to find a parallel to that which I am familiar with. Oranges, mangoes, apples or bananas. I relax and am relieved when I see a familiar fruit. Seeds become the metaphor for the experience of being a foreigner and gives me a direct link to how challenging it must be for immigrants coming to Canada.
Seeds...both alien and familiar, invasive or indigenous become parallels to the influx of western culture into Mexico. I am unable to converse with the people here and capture only the most superficial gist of their struggles with political corruption, class issues and the desire for equal access to the basic necessities of life.
We arrive in Saint Augustine, Etla where we will house sit for Lorena and Adan during their 10 days away on vacation. I am moved and humbled by their generosity which is further reflected in their contributions to the local youth and community.St. Augustine is predominantly indigenous people ...Zapateca, Mixteca and Mayan. Lorena and Adan have invited us to use their beautiful studio while we are here and so we can settle down to work on our artwork.
Voz/Voices ...to witness then give expression to what we experience takes on deeper meaning as we continue on in this project.
Haruko
January 28, 2009