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With an evident mastery of the technologies used in a pandemic and a sincere smile, Mrs. Marie Thérèse Hermand de Arango and Molén Antolin, share a few moments with us to talk about the future of the Museum of Popular Art, the enormous cultural and social work that they carry out together with its patronage and the international vision of the MAP to continue promoting the name of the popular artists of Mexico.
The Museum of Popular Art is an extraordinary place. Legacy of strenuous and passionate work of more than two decades; headed by Marie Thérèse Hermand de Arango who proudly tells us, “At that time, it was very rare to see any Mexican object in the home, not to mention wearing Mexican artisan jewelry or something in clothing.”
Today, it is gratifying for her to realize the impact of MAP and the support for artisans, in something as simple as attending an event at the National Auditorium and seeing two hundred women with a huipil or something typical. That is the MAP.
¿How did AmigosMAP adapt to the pandemic?
It was a gigantic miracle to have managed to integrate a board of young people -among them Molén Antolin- just a month before the pandemic was declared.
At first, there was a lot of silence, because I didn’t know what to do. Then, several people began to integrate. Thanks to everyone’s help, we started working virtually, zooming in and discovering an extraordinary way to get to know each other, advertise ourselves, and achieve various things.
Thanks to the zoom, we achieved: gastronomic talks, history lectures, and relief programs for the MAP store. That there are four stores, which before the pandemic were doing the following well because it has pieces of Popular Art that you cannot find anywhere else. With another quality, and with another price, too. But it’s the best there is.
These actions allowed us to raise some money, which will support us artisans since we realized that they were the most important at that time.
SUPPORTING THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST
Among the projects that we have been able to support is a group of artisans from Puebla, who lost their oven in the earthquake three years ago. They told us that the state and federal governments had promised them help and they did not comply. This was possible, thanks to the support of many generous friends and Affinitas, a wonderful real estate company that is transforming the Barrio del Alto in Puebla. This is a discredited neighborhood – which I did not know – in which we have enormous surprises for the future.
This neighborhood is very close to the “Barrio de la luz”, where they make extraordinary pieces of glazed clay, huge moleras pots. Which is of course the most important thing in Puebla. We were able to support these artisans and their kiln was rebuilt and improvements were made to the workshop.
Then we help the children with cancer from the House of Friendship -which was Carmen Hill’s, who helps the museum a lot-. We get them toys from MAP artisans, as well as wool sweaters, handmade in the State of Mexico. We also got a lot of donations, to give those things to children with cancer, before Christmas.
A dynamic was also organized to support Gonzalo Rodríguez Gerónimo, a sensational craftsman from Tabasco who works basket weaving and makes magnificent works. He and his community were affected by the rains last year.
We have the determined idea of continuing to help the artisan much, much more.
For 20 years we had to raise money to make the MAP work. We still have to do it, but we do want to give a very important emphasis to projects with artisans. Sadly, we don’t get that many people organizing projects. We have to look for them. An example was that of Gaby Andrade, who distributed pantries through MAP stores. These were obtained by Gaby, selling art in López-Morton.
THE LEGACY OF THE MAP
Despite having reached out and opened the doors of the MAP to Fonart and other entities, unfortunately, it has not been possible to work together. Sadly, in Mexico, there is no such sense of alliance. However, I would love for there to be a common force, for us to make agreements since I have affection for people who are interested in the same way that we take care of ourselves. This is very important. I believe that today in Mexico it does not exist, but we are going to promote it.
Our vision is to be a benchmark in the world of Popular Art.
We want to be someone you can turn to. By the way, it happens to us constantly. Recently a French woman wrote me that she is going to do her thesis on Mexican textiles and she is coming in July. She and others turn to us with similar requests.
We seek to represent to the public the strength and confidence of the artisan. We want you to know that we work with the best, whether they are very expensive or very cheap. Because we work with anyone. But it is important to know that what we try to do is the wishes of the artisans.
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION
Through a friend, she just contacted me, she works for Elle Magazine in France, she was here and returns in October with the project of doing something about MAP. In addition, he sent us to a foreigner who wants to make a video about our artisans.
This is because we are an international contact, enthusiastic and we are open to any project and to try to help you the best we can
THE FUTURE FOR THE ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF “MUSEO DE ARTE POPULAR"
We have many events to come. There is one that is already working and we are very proud. Inspired by the successful recognition of CEMEFI, for Socially Responsible Companies, we copied it with my husband’s permission, and we invented one called:
Companies Solidarity to Craftsmen. ESA®.
Currently, between 10 and 15 business friends have joined this project and some are yet to be convinced. As soon as they see such positive results, we are sure that they will be more encouraged.
In addition, we have a select program of ambassadors that includes Isaac Hernández, Cecilia Suárez, and Julio Bracho. The new board of trustees is in talks to include a new ambassador, representing the world of gastronomy.
Isaac Hernández promised us to come from London to participate in our experiences. Although the English National Ballet, where he is the first dancer, has already returned to perform, so we do not have confirmed dates yet.
SENSORY EXPERIENCES
The subject is called Sensory Experiences, on the 5 senses. The important thing is that we are going to raise funds through donations, so that they can enjoy Isaac Hernández, after the experiences. It will be in the morning, or the afternoon and Isaac will sit down to enjoy food with about 40 people. Then, we will have 4 or 5 groups of friends, who are only going to participate in the sensory experiences tour, in the different rooms of the Museum.
One of them, for example, is a dress that some silk artisans are going to make in Salamanca by Sumi Slim and Iván Avalos. Made with just candles. The food will be provided by Mesa Viva and the smell by Xinú perfumes. Who worked with the Huichols, to create the lids of the containers. This will be a very sophisticated mix and representative of Mexican Popular Art. We are enthusiastically shared by Molén Antolin, who facilitated this talk and accompanied us as part of the youth patronage.
We are going to have many surprises thanks to our sponsors: delicacies such as chocolate, coffee, samples, and gifts. In general, when we start to do a project we find it extraordinary. The public attends because they know that we have put our heart, work, time, influences, everything. Mrs. Arango tells us, confident and smiling.
We also have programmed our Vintage event, of second-hand things, which we have been doing for approximately 15 years. Last year we did nothing and we have many things that friends have given us. This will be on November 12, 13, and 14. We are waiting for you to visit us because we offer very cheap and very good things.
In addition, we invite you to visit the MAP stores, the one downtown -in the Museum-, the one in Polanco, the one at the airport or the virtual one. With the closure of the museum and the airport, these were greatly affected and being very successful stores that operate as A.C. -all their profits are reinvested in them-, today, thanks to important efforts by the stores and the board of trustees, they are just starting to get back on the right track. It is important to support them as this benefits the artisans who supply it.
This year we will also take up other cultural and international projects, which we will soon be talking about.
Recognizing her extraordinary work, with the charisma and charm that she transmits, Mrs. Marie Thérèse Hermand de Arango thanked the media for being extremely supportive and cooperative in all simplicity. “Without them, I would never have gotten ahead,” he acknowledges. In addition, fortunately, people already buy many of their gifts in MAP stores and foreigners flock to MAP stores.
That is part of the success of the MAP. A good museum, well maintained. From the first world that is gradually attracting the Mexican to know it and to use the products of the artisans. A LIVE museum.
The MAP has been open for 15 years and has exhibitions that travel like the Vochol®, which has been to all parts of the world. And Alebrije artisans who have traveled to France, Belgium, the United States, and other places. “We have been represented by artisans, imagine”.
We have a very nice story by Antonio Cornelio. He is a relatively young artisan from Michoacán, who works wheat. About 4 years ago, Loewe started a project in Madrid to reward an artisan who submitted a drawing to be inspired by their products. And we share the call to several artisans that we know well. Antonio Cornelio and his family signed up and received a special mention. Loewe invited them to Madrid.
My work has been endless beautiful experiences that deserve every second of work, anger, fatigue, whatever you want. Our interviewee says delighted, before thanking and saying goodbye.
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Images
Paulina García Vallejo Urquiza / Santiago Hoyos / Pieza de Antonio Cornelio / Exposición REBOZO Foto MAP / Eduardo Sánchez cuadro Orgullo Nacional / Arte Plumario 118cm X 91cm / Tienda del MAP / Alfombristas Mexicanos, A.C.