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. He was the first artist to participate in Margaritas Visiting Artist Program. 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 tradition and travel to Margaritas to demonstrate their craft. Like their father, each son has his own personal touch and style that personifies an Horta Family mask. Manuel Abeiro Horta particularly enjoys carving animal masks and adorning them with hair and whiskers made from the hide of wild boars. Modesto Horta is known for his elaborately carved high relief devil masks. They paint the masks with lacquer based automobile paints. It is not uncommon for the masks to be used for 3 to 4 days as dancers parade from street to street reenacting ancient plays and dances. Both brothers have exhibited their masks in exhibitions in the United States and Mexico.
Artist Presentation
On the day of the visit, with nothing more than some hand-made tools forged by a local blacksmith, Manuel Aberio and Modesto will transform a hunk of wood into an expressive work of art based on the traditions of their ancestors. A DVD portraying scenes from Mexico will also be shown. The videos reveal the lives and activities of present day Mexican people.
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 often accompany the dancers. 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:
