Tierra Encantada

Rodeo Warmup

Went to a rodeo this past Halloween. Lots of them around these parts.

A little warm-up.

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Posted by Brian Miller in Nuevo Mexico, Sport Sale, Tierra Encantada

El Dia De Los Politicos

Each year, at the end of October and beginning of November, many of the Mexican influenced communities in the world celebrate “El Dia de los Muertos” – the Day of the Dead. It is, traditionally, a time for remembering those deceased in one’s family and connecting to one’s heritage and ancestry. To familial based cultures this is especially important because identity is defined by one’s place on the land and in the family. Roles are clearly defined and expected. Tying oneself through memory and emotion to a departed relative helps remind a person of their role.

In New Mexico, in Albuquerque in particular, and in the South Valley of Albuquerque specifically, celebrating “El Dia de los Muertos” with the “Muertos y Marigolds Parade” has been an important part in maintaining Hispano/Chicano identity and pride in a country and state that has – in not too distant history – often subjugated Hispanic culture, traditions, and language.

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I’ve visited the parade often. Each year I would descend on Isleta Boulevard with my camera, full of anticipation and nervousness. The Calaveras and costumes were often fantastic, the floats inspired, and the display of South Valley Chicano culture full of pride and good cheer. For images from previous years please visit my posts on this site here, and here (2010) as well as here and here (2011).

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This year, as I thought about going yet again, I though about what to photograph. Was I satisfied with making more portrait images of people in great costumes? Was I interested in more shots of low-riders, floats, and face paint? I wasn’t.

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I’ve become much more interested lately in documenting New Mexico as it is. One of my favorite photographers, Larry Towell, wrote poetically that photographers, if we are not careful, run the risk of becoming “professional sharpshooters of exoticism….rather than contemplators of ‘things as they are’” [sic]

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And so I asked myself what was important about this parade. Why photograph this? Why is it worth showing? Why does it make a difference? What is it about? What IS this parade? Here? Now?

My friend Ray Ketcham suggested, just prior to my departure, that I pick one or two stories I see there –  one or two aspects of what this parade is about –  and try to photograph those.

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And so I took my time. I arrived at the staging area and left my camera in my bag. I waited, I watched. As scores of photographers buzzed about snapping away greedily at all the visual stimulus I asked myself, “what is here that you cannot yet see?” “Is there a theme that surprises you, excites you,…even offends you?”

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And slowly it began to reveal itself.

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More and more the parade looks less like an expression of Chicano culture, pride, or tradition and more a platform for the costumed expression of political views. From marriage equality to water rights, from stomping for GMO-free food to immigrant rights, I witnessed a greater number of non-Hispanic participants parade through this Hispanic neighborhood pushing their political beliefs through a cultural platform that honors the dead. I didn’t fail to be struck by the irony of the slow death that gentrification brings to traditional neighborhoods, and the cultural divide highlighted by the attempted cross-cultural participation.

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“GMO”

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“Mariachi Awakening”

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“El Amor Ilegal”

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“Amar”

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“No Love Is Illegal”

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“Diversity”

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“Sin Papeles/Sin Miedo”

Mostly the parade this year, while visually enticing, left me scratching my head…

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Along the parade route, while witnessing the costumes and revelry, I took particular notice of quiet people watching the parade and holding pictures. I approached and asked: “Can you tell me about the person in the pictures you are holding?” “This is my aunt,” would come the reply. “This is my brother.” “This is my grandfather….my father…my grandmother….my sister as a baby.”

They were holding the images of their dead. Each one memorialized in a photographic image; the last likenesses of beloved members of the family. I was struck by the quiet reservedness of the living. Some were in costume; some were not. Each was quiet. Their internal state seemed unmatched to the dancing, whirling, marching, singing, chanting, candy throwing parade participants. I wondered if they felt out of place. I wondered if they felt like the Dia de los Muertos was different than expected.

I chose not to make images of those people and their departed relatives. I would have liked to, but the mood was not right, and out of respect I thanked them for their time and moved on.

Posted by Brian Miller in Culture, Festivals, Fuji, Nuevo Mexico, Tierra Encantada, X100

In Memoriam

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It is Memorial Day here in the U.S. A day designated to the rememberance of those who have served in this country’s wars. It saddens me that so many men and women had to give their lives in defense of their country; and it saddens me that anyone has had to shorten their lives in this way, for any country. I think of all that has been lost due to these sacrifices: the potential works of art, the music, great leaders, visionaries, healers. Not just from those that died directly but also from those who could have been born to them. So on this day of rememberance, I think not just with thanks to those that have died, but also with a sadness that anyone has had to die, or kill, for a country, a thought, or a belief that necessitates killing another in order to uphold it. 

Posted by Brian Miller in Culture, Festivals, Fuji, Nuevo Mexico, Sketches, Tierra Encantada, X100

La Piñata

Fernando emerges seemingly out of nowhere. He’s been around during the entire birthday party, visiting with this guest or that, greeting each family member, grilling the carne asada. Midway through the party he emerges with her, all blonde and curvy, her papier mâché pasted with a royal smile. All eyes follow him as he strings the rope through the loop on the roof of her head and finds a hanging height.

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Quickly the younger children are shepherded into line by mothers and fathers, tios and tias. A stout stick materializes. It is time for the piñata!

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[press play for an audio recording of the demise of this princess piñata]

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Each child has a go beating the piñata beginning with youngest and progressing to eldest and strongest, each insisting the figure release the hidden candy within.

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Styles of attack vary with each child.

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Poking at her is an option and might release the candy sooner!

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Hitting then from behind when they can’t see you could prove more effective…or at the very least relieve the guilt felt while pummeling a favorite character in favor of candy.

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Fernando holds the piñata steady as she prepares for the next assault.

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Sebastian gives his best effort to open up the piñata as his Tios and Abuelo look on.

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Some piñatas hold on for a time but eventually all surrender to their fate and purpose. The princess is discarded unceremoniously as the children’s attention switches to their candy loot.

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Posted by Brian Miller in Nuevo Mexico, Tierra Encantada

Sketches: Distress

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Liam realizes his brother has claimed the last piece of watermelon.

Posted by Brian Miller in Fuji, Sketches, sketches, Tierra Encantada, X100

When Comes the Rain

As you might imagine-with New Mexico being a desert and all-rain is scarce here. This year especially we received less than an inch during the first 6 months of the year.

Drought? Perhaps.

Desert life, mostly.

We are fascinated with rain here. We have drainage channels (Arroyo’s) that stand dry most of the time with associated folk tales warning of their dangers (La Llorona). We have levees, we have storm drains, we have firemen specifically trained in water rescue. In the desert.

For when comes the rain, it comes. Hard and fast and cold it comes turning the dry arroyos into raging torrents, flooding streets, and breathing life into this desert community.

In my young children’s lives rain is an oddity, and an opportunity.

The summer rains came the other day.

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Posted by Brian Miller in Fuji, Monochrome, Nuevo Mexico, Tierra Encantada, X100

An Honored Request

Not too long ago I received an invitation to provide some prints of my images to the University of New Mexico Hospitals Child Psychiatric Services. It was a simple enough invitation: provide 4 prints, on a somewhat quarterly basis, that represents the population this hospital unit serves (New Mexico youth and families). The goal is to hang images in the conference room that is used to hold meetings with the families of patients.

Ultimately I chose the 4 following images and I thought I would share them here. The prints have been framed and delivered but I have not yet seen the final installation as that is in the hands of the physical services of the hospital.

All of the images were printed at 11 x 14 sizing on a 16 x 20 inch matt and frame. I look forward to being able to see them installed and will hopefully post a picture of their final presentation in the future. In the meantime I hope you enjoy them!

Stay tuned for future installations as well. This is an ongoing effort.

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“Dancing Cowboys of Pie Town”

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“Indian Finals Rodeo Cowboys”

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“El Caballo y La Tradicion”

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“La Muerta” y Las Flores”

Posted by Brian Miller in Creativity, Culture, Festivals, Nuevo Mexico, Tierra Encantada
Sketches: El Grullo

Sketches: El Grullo

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Posted by Brian Miller in Culture, Fuji, Monochrome, Nuevo Mexico, Sketches, Tierra Encantada, X100

Sketches: Franken

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There is a bit of a tradition in New Mexico of sitting out on a winter’s eve around a fire. It is not that different from other parts of the world where people gather to look into a fire, feel the warmth, commune together, and get lost in thoughts in the dancing flames. Except here in NM the fire is built in a Chiminea, a clay fireplace that is open on one side with a short chimney raising the smoke toward the stars. We had such a gathering in my neighborhood the other day – an impromptu coming together of several families from the block. Parents, kids, neighbors. Food, drink, good conversation. There was laughter, giggles, bantering, warmth, community. Eventually the food was shared and finished, the children were ushered to bed, the sun completed its daily recession, and the glow of the fire drew us toward its respite from the evening chill. Here my neighbor, Herbey, ponders.

Posted by Brian Miller in Culture, Nuevo Mexico, Sketches, Tierra Encantada, X100

Sketches: Matanza

Last week’s sketch provided a glimpse into the Hispano tradition of a Matanza –a pig roast – believed to have begun in Spain during the Moorish occupation. When the Spaniards discovered their Muslim overseers distaste for pork they would periodically slaughter a pig, hold a festival, and enjoy life without the Moors for several days.

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This tradition of a pig butchering and festival continued into the new world and exists today in rural New Mexico where families and friends gather to butcher a pig, cook it into Carne Adovada, ribs, chicharrones and other tasty dishes. Often times much of the pig is stored for consumption later in the winter; sometimes the entire thing is consumed.

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Each year in Belen, Valencia County, New Mexico the Valencia County Hispano Chamber of Commerce hosts a large Matanza as a fundraiser. 39 sponsored teams gather to butcher pigs and take part in a day long festival celebrating Hispanic heritage in New Mexico. This is serious business as bragging rights for best ribs, Carne Adovada, Iron Pig and other dishes are at stake.

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Once again this year I had the pleasure of joining Joe Jaramillo’s team for most of the day getting up close and personal with the pig, the preppers, the cooks, the families, and a raunchy joke or two. I also made friends with Ray Chavez and Danielle Griego, on the Fat Sats Bar & Grill team who featured a large rotisserie slow roasting a full pork loin which attracted a fair share of attention and caused Pavlovian reactions among attendees.

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This is not a photo story or essay in the strict sense. This is a sketch, a series of images as I learn the intricacies of the New Mexico Matanza and those that are skilled in its preparation. This is also a big thank you especially to the members of Jaramillo’s Custom Meat Processing of Los Lunas Team and also the Fat Sats Bar & Grill Team for welcoming me into their prep spaces and helping with all my efforts to make some pictures. I hope you enjoy the images.

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The day begins before it begins: in the dark. Fires are lit, cook areas prepped, water is boiled, and traditional New Mexican breakfast is prepped: green chile breakfast burritos, potatoes, frijoles. The crew needs to be fed; they have a lot of work to do.

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Time moves quickly, as do the preppers. Joe, a custom meat processor by trade, begins the labor intensive process of butchering the pig. There is a chill in the air, but the mood is jovial as families, extended families, and friends meet and greet and pitch in. Everyone, it seems, has a place and a purpose and takes part. This is a family affair; a community affair.

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In anticipation of thousands of hungry mouths to feed, the excitement rises as the scent of frying sopapillas and carne adovada begins to fill the air mixing with wood smoke. Food is on the fire!

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It’s not all hard work – though there is plenty of that – as the morning progresses the PA system comes to life, followed by the pledge of allegiance (in both English and Spanish) and the Star Spangled Banner. Eventually a series of musical acts take the soundstage with the music piped around the Valencia County Sherriff’s Posse Fairgrounds, the location of the Matanza. Below, a couple takes a break from cooking to dance while Carne Adovada (pork stewed in red chile) is expertly cooked nearby.

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“El Perdido” (the Lost One) made an appearance and graced me with a picture.

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Periodically through the day I visited the Fat Sats Bar & Grill Team’s prep location. After a few conversations about their recipes for the competitions I was invited behind the scenes to make some picture. Here I met “Country”.

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Not content to be one of the most interesting people I’ve met, Country is also the proud owner of this object of male envy, the antique cast iron wood fired soap stove turned cook pot which he lovingly stoked and stirred. He also happily regaled all the curious onlookers with the story of how he came to be the owner of this unique – and hefty – cook pot.

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Danielle Griego is a fascination to watch. Responsible for creating most of Fat Sats competition dishes she is a dynamo of creativity, organization, and motivation, and a gracious hostess sharing with me her recipes and samples of her creations.

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Posted by Brian Miller in Culture, Festivals, Fuji, Nuevo Mexico, Tierra Encantada, X100