The renowned artist has been renewing the mural for months and produced Ajjic’s first street party since Covid19 restrictions were lifted
The mural is revealed. Photo: Patrick O’Heffernan.
Patrick O’Heffernan Ajijic JAL. In a nearly 4 hour ceremony that included traditional dancing, a mariachi, an indigenous band and drinks and dinner prepared and served by students from ETAC Ajijic culinary school, Ajijic’s renowned artist Efrén González unveiled his renewed “Magia de Ajijic” mural at Marcos Castellanos School Thursday night.
Almost 500 people filled chairs and overflowed onto Calle Marcos Castellanos in front of the Paroquia de Andres Apóstol church to view the unveiling and enjoy the party. They were not disappointed. The Huehuecuicatl Música Prehispánica band warmed the audience up before Efrén González and his friends took the stage and gave the audience an abbreviated history of the artists career and the genesis of the mural.
The Ballet Folklorico Axixic followed, delivering a stellar show as Ajijic’s best young dancers strutted their stuff in full costume. More speeches followed including a tribute to Gonzalez’s art teacher, who was honored on stage.
The Mariachi Real Ajijic took the stage for a rousing performance that lasted for over an hour and a half, with a break and a guest singer. Mariachi Real Ajijic played a set list of Mexico’s favorite songs and at one point got the audience singing with them.
During the break in the mariachi music, González introduced his mother, after telling the story that when he was a child she told him to be anything he wanted, always be the best, and never be an artist. After the laughter died down he introduced his mother and brought her up from the audience and gave her a beautiful bouquet and hugs in front of the stage.
The unveiling itself was more complicated than Efren anticipated and for obvious reasons, they had not practiced it. As the Prehispánica band played a long percussion flourish, he stood on the entrance stairs to the school and cut the rope holding the canvas covering the building-length mural while helpers helped take the ends down revealing the brilliant new mural.
After the unveiling, Gonzalez took many bows and returned to the stage where he was greeted by President-elect Alejandro Aguirre who congratulated González and pledged to support the arts in Chapala. As the Huehue Cuicatl Prehispánica band cranked up the party continued.
Los comentarios están cerrados.
© 2016. Todos los derechos reservados. Semanario de la Ribera de Chapala