| De mujer a mujer, de la dueña
de la casa a la fotógrafa, fluye en los ambientes interiores
una esencia del alma humana. Las devociones de esta naturaleza,
por ser parte de la casa y de lo que ella representa, son manifestaciones
espirituales de antiquísimas fuentes, que por debajo
de vestiduras de culturas diversas corre como secreto río
subterráneo.
- Susana Wald
Everything in Mexico has more than one use and one meaning.
In the Central
Valleys of Oaxaca, Mexico it is customary for families to
have an altar in their homes. These are usually larger than
the dinner table and sometimes function as a serving table.
The private altars have been documented by photographer Mari
Seder. It is an amazing collection of photos, brilliant
in detail, color and light.
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY
During the 2006 social tensions that afflicted Oaxaca, Mari
made friends in the Central
Valleys. She was invited to the Day
of the Dead celebration at the house of Angela Mendoza,
a weaver in Teotitlán del Valle. It was during this encounter
I got to know Mari. The family loved her and she loved the family.
The Mendoza/Lazo Mendoza family came to the exhibit on opening
night and were pleased.
A comment. Too often photographers visit Oaxaca, taking pictures
of the 'traditional market lady' without bothering to get permission
or a name. There is little attempt to get to know the venders
as people. Interaction beyond the happy snap is scarce and far
too many promises of sending a photo via the mail have gone
unkept. There's a need for responsible
travel photography.
Kudos to Mari for bringing her Oaxaca photos back to Oaxaca
and showing them to Oaxacans. A place of devotion deserves no
less.
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