The Malagua and their "Tortilla Print" in Highland Park
For the first time in the cultural history of Puerto Vallarta, a local group of artists traveled abroad not only with the purpose to exhibit, but also to conduct interesting didactic workshops that will set the standard for a new reciprocal learning on a creative level between both cultures.
 This is how Yesika Felix, Fernando Sanchez, Sergio Martinez and Ireri Topete, known as the group "La Malagua" group embarked on their adventure on the past 13th of April when they left for Highland Park, Illinois (Puerto Vallarta’s city sister). They had been invited to participate there during the annual art event called “Focus on the Art”, bringing together more than 200 American artists involved in plastic and scenic arts. Nevertheless the main goal of the Vallarta exponents was to teach a workshop named: "Tortilla Print".
Ireri Topete explained: "When this possibility presented itself we thought about which technique we could demonstrate to people that have all the technical advances concerning art, therefore we came up with something as basic as our tortilla maker, which serves as a press in order to carry out engravings. Using low budget materials interesting pieces of work are achieved. And at the end the creations based on the technique of clothes lines are exposed.”
They were excited because this was first time that they left not only to exhibit their works and techniques as a group but in addition to conduct a workshop. The members of La Malagua manifested their satisfaction for being the first artists to interact academically with other artists, from whom they likewise hope to absorb new knowledge and to specify and form new bonds.
"The most significant thing is that we showed an emblematic discipline of Mexican art, which is a rudimentary form of creating without artifices. Not only did we share Puerto Vallarta but also the essence of Mexican art" commented Sergio Martinez.
During their stay in Highland Park La Managua exposed in two forums: one of them was at the city’s high school at the event "Focus on the Art" where they presented part of their pieces of work as a group in two of the halls as well as the interesting Huichol portfolio denominated "Zitakua-Malagua, Emerging Graphics", while the other forum took place at the Mexican consulate in Chicago, where the attendee were able to appreciate the exhibition "Variations on Paper" including around 25 creations of La Malagua.
Silvia Alvarez
E-mail: silvialvarezb@yahoo.com.mx
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