Oaxaca Postcards (2008)

Poster

From the archives

To raise awareness of Oaxaca’s unique cultural and biological diversity, Planeta.com is publishing a series of postcards designed and printed by leading graphics design company Despacharte.

“Postcards are a terrific souvenir of a trip and a reminder of people and places worth remembering,” said Ron Mader, a journalist based in Oaxaca City (2001-2013).

Each postcard includes a bilingual description and a classic Mexican proverb.

Slow Travel
In an age of email and twitter, postcards are an example of slow travel.

“By using images that are less common and by including comments from locals, we highlight the value of Oaxaca’s unique cultural and biological diversity,” Mader said, adding that when purchased in Oaxaca any postcard can be sent to friends and family at a leisurely pace.

Postcards 2.0
All of the photos chosen for the postcard series are visible on Flickr, one of the web’s premiere photography websites. Ron Mader’s photo gallery has been viewed more than a half million times. “Flickr has been a godsend,” Mader said. “It is a wonderful introduction to the social web and rewards participation. Some of my favorite photographers are using Flickr.”

One of the inspirations for the Oaxaca postcard series are notecards from New Zealand, photographed by Tom Walter. Manaki Whenua, Manaki Tangata, Haere whakamua (Care for the land. Care for people. Go forward) is one of the best examples of inspired travel photography that is a wonderful introduction to New Zealand.

Oaxaca
When it came time to print the postcards, Mader chose to work with the Oaxaca City-based graphics design company Despacharte. “We opted to partner with a local business in the printing of the postcards,” Mader said, adding that such local partnerships are invaluable.

Ron invites fans of his photos to suggest the images they would like to see made into postcards. “For the second series we have a number of candidates to choose from and we’ll be reviewing the stats, including number of views, comments and the amount of times photos have been favorited. Locally we are polling Oaxacans and visitors what images they’d like to see. And best of all we are editing the captions with the captions with the artisanos and market venders.”
postcards from oaxaca

Where to find the postcards
In Oaxaca City, the postcards were distributed at fine establishments including Amate Books, Bambu, Casa Arnel, Casa Bugambilias and Xiguela.

Sales

	Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo. The devil knows more because he is old rather than because he is a devil.	Santa Catarina Lachatao, Oaxaca – Window view from abandoned schoolhouse Santa Catarina Lachatao, Oaxaca – Vista de la ventana de una escuela abandonada
	De la vista nace el amor. Love grows from sight.	Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca – Workshop of Josefina Méndez López and Porfirio Hernández Alavez, Calle Guerrero Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca – Taller de Josefina Méndez López y Porfirio Hernández Alavez, Calle Guerrero
	Cada cabeza es un mundo. To each his own.	Oaxaca, México – crystallized fruit candy made by Enrique Matadamas Oaxaca, México – Dulces cristilizadas hecho por Enrique Matadamas
	Más vale paso que dure, que trote que canse. A steady step is better than a trot that tires.	Oaxaca, México – Arte Ayuuk sells handmade ceramics from the Ayuuk region. In the local language, the pots are called ‘yakxtö’ts’ used to cook food under a comal. Oaxaca, México – Arte Ayuuk vende ceramica de la region Ayuuk de Oaxaca. En el idoma local, las ollas atravezadas estan llamadas yakx to’ots y usadas para cocinar comida bajo la comal.
	El muerto a pozo y el vivo al gozo. El muerto a la sepultura y el vivo a la travesura. The dead to the grave, the living to pleasure.	Oaxaca, México – Marigolds Oaxaca, México – Cempasúchil
	A quien madruga, Dios le ayuda. God helps those who rise early.	Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca – Angel
	El que busca encuentra. One finds what one looks for.	Oaxaca de Juárez, México – Shopping bags for sale at the Benito Juárez Market Oaxaca de Juárez, México – Bolsas de plástico en venta en el Mercado Benito Juárez
	Entre faros no hay competidores. There is no competition among lighthouses.	Oaxaca de Juárez, México – Virgen of Guadalupe Display made by Boris ‘Spider’ Oaxaca de Juárez, México – Virgen of Guadalupe Display hecho por Boris ‘Spider’