from the heart of maguey

“From the heart of maguey”
14 meter x 5 meter.
Latex and spray paint on wall.
Atempan Puebla, Mexico.
Tymon de Laat, 2023.
Project for the Dutch embassy in Mexico and Colectivo Tomate.

–

To know the past is to hold the future. Preserving and honouring the knowledge and traditions that have been handed down for many generations create a healthy base for a culturally rich and wealthy future generation.

Pulque production has always had a strong presence in the central region of Mexico and has been traded in the the market of Atempan for many centuries. In recent years pulque production is challenged by more accessible commercial goods. In a world that is ever changing we should honour and celebrate the tradition by the pulqueros like the model in this image Maria Teresa de Assencion Flores.

Pulque is a light alcoholic liquid that is harvested from the heart of the maguey (agave) plant by removing the inner 3 or 4 leaves exposing the core of the plant. The plant leaks it’s moist into the core where they can then harvest it with a little cup. This process is called “raspar”. Back in the days this was one of the few methods that were available to access fresh drinkable water as sanitary irrigation was not present in small communities in the regions. In a way like the beer production was for Europe in the middle ages. Now that sanitation is more present this tradition is losing it’s necessity and needs to be preserved. I hope to assist this preservation by painting about this tradition.

I would like to extend my gratitude to the Dutch embassy and collectivo Tomate for the invitation. The project had some ups and downs working 3 weeks in the cold and humid mountain region amidst the clouds, but i am happy to say we made it in the end. Thank you to all the beautiful people I have gotten to meet and artists in this project.