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mexico city clay

updated sun 31 mar 96

 

Kathy Schuetz on sat 16 mar 96

I'm planning to travel to Mexico City for a week at the end of March. Does
anyone know of any studios/galleries/potteries to visit ?Any recommendations
would be greatly appreciated.

Kathy in Baltimore

jetharrs@pacific.telebyte.net on sun 17 mar 96

Do go to the Museum of Archeology in Chapoltapec park. You will see a lot
of clay vessels that have not been photographed in any reference books.
The sculputure there is also very worthwhile.

Jeanette Harris

Carla Flati on sun 17 mar 96

Hi Kathy,

Finally........someone's going somewhere I know about! Actually, I'm in love
with the place. It's the only city in the world where I fit the profile of the
ideal woman....short, dark and NOT thin!

You're going to a great place to see pottery! I can't remember the names of the
private galleries, but they're not hard to find along the main thorofares.

The Museo de Arte Moderno is a great place to start. There's great sculpture
and pottery there and you definately won't be disappointed. I was very
surprised to see that one of my favorite painters, Leonora Carrington, also did
some wonderful sculpture.

The Museo Nacional de Arte is wonderful. Just the building itself is beautiful.
The pottery and art is like a bonus.

Both the Museo Casa Uriarte and Museo de Santa Rosa have a great deal of
pottery. If you can't get to Michoacan or Oaxaca, these museums are the next
best thing. They have pottery from all over Mexico.

Last, but not least is the Museo Nacional de Antropologia. Remember the old
ceramic Aztec calendars that were overdone to kingdom come in the 70's? Well
this is where the original is located and it's enormous! Lots of pots in this
place.

If you have a chance, try going out to the ancient ruin of Teotihuacan. Ruined
it is not! You won't believe this place....it's magnificent. To me, the place
is supernatural, which I'm sure has to do with my roots, but you should really
enjoy the pottery. There's a museum there with pottery from all over the world.
Every time I go there I look at the same pots and think "geez, they're thousands
of years old and the colors are barely faded". There's a few small potteries
along the road leading to Teotithuacan. Also, there's an open air barbeque
place that will knock your socks off. The food is wonderful. Forget about the
"don't drink the water stuff". I've never had a problem. BUT, bring some
Kaopectate, just in case .

In case this is your first trip to Mexico City, it might be helpful to know that
you are going to the real Mexico. It's not like going to the border towns or
Cancun, Acapulco or some of the other tourist spots. Everyone is not bilingual
so if you don't speak Spanish, bring a dictionary.

Have a wonderful time!

Carla