Juan Horta and Sons
Juan Horta Castillo was one of the best traditional mask makers in Mexico. He exhibited his art throughout Mexico and the United States. His masks were selected by the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, and featured in their worldwide performances. El Museo de la Mascara in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, exhibits his masks as part of their permanent collection. Don Juan has also been a featured artist at the Art Institute of Chicago, Rhode Island School of Design, Anaheim Museum and many colleges, schools and cultural centers throughout the United States. In December 2006, only six weeks after a tour with Margaritas visiting New England, he died of a heart attack in Mexico. His five sons are all continuing the family craft tradition and will be traveling to Margaritas to demonstrate their craft. Abeiro Horta has accompanied his father in the past and is currently representing the Horta family as a visiting artist. His exhibitions feature his mask carvings as well as the masks of his brothers. Juan’s spirit lives on in his art and the influence of his tutelage is unmistakable in the work of his sons.
Traditional Mask Making
Mask making has been a tradition for centuries in Mexico. During pre-Hispanic times the Aztecs used masks as part of their religious ceremonies. After the Spanish Conquest, Christian traditions were incorporated into the folk art of mask making.
In the past, masks were worn in ritual dances and used by the dancers to represent persons or animals; the dance’s purpose was to tell a story in which the desired result was achieved through the magic of imitation.
“Pastorelas,” or Shepherd’s Play, is celebrated with a group of players who take their performance through the streets of the neighborhood; The players represent three devils (with devil masks), an angel, a hermit (with mask), shepherds and numerous villagers (with masks). The devils try to tempt the shepherds, and in turn are confronted by the hermit and the angel. In the finale, the devils are defeated. The shepherds, angels and hermit then proceed to adore the baby Jesus. The majority of the masks in this exhibition are from the Pastorelas.
Mexican masks are usually made of wood, with leather, bone, and often with genuine hair and teeth. They may also be fashioned from other materials such as animal shells and tin. The masks can be painted, lacquered, or left in a natural state.
The art of mask making demonstrates imagination, fantasy, and great decorative and creative talent.
Masked Dances
Mexican masked dances have been classified into five major categories: historical, Christian, occupational, nature-related, and entertainment-oriented. Historical dances relate to actual events occurring in the history of Mexico, such as the conquest by the Spanish; Christian dances primarily dramatize the triumph of Christianity over paganism; occupational dances reflect the duties and skills of those involved; nature-related dances relate to weather control and the fertility of crops and animals; and entertainment oriented dances are primarily for amusement or the teaching of social lessons.
Masked dances are usually performed in the feast day of a village’s patron saint, on general religious holidays such as Carnival or Christmas, and on national holidays. Dancers often perform in fulfillment of personal vows or as members of dance societies. Only men, who impersonate female characters as well, usually wear masks. Woman may occasionally participate in certain dances, but they do not wear masks.
Community masked dance performances require huge expenditures of time and money. The successful presentation of masked dances is usually the responsibility of a community’s mayordomo, a voluntary civil-religious position held by a man or woman. However, it is more often a knowledgeable dance leader or maestro who selects and trains the dancers, choreographs the steps, and supervises the final performance. Musicians usually accompany the dancers, playing such instruments as the flute, tepanaztli or horizontal two-tone drum, huehuetl or vertical drum, harp, rasp, and violin. Each village usually holds one major fiesta a year, which serves as its source of community pride and status.
More Information
Learn more about Juan Horta and his son Manual Horta:
