por elnox


johannes reschl

Last week a government sponsored exhibition of Central American artesania and artists took place in the Multiplaza in Escazú near San José/Costa Rica...In the ambience of a shopping mall in one of the riches parts of Costa Rica, exhibitors from five different countries looked for interested and/or financially strong customers.

The repertoire ranged from wood carvings from Honduras, over leather goods and colorful decorated Bags from Guatemala and Panama, to various ornated potteries. Only a few exhibitors concentrated on the "exclusive art factor", meaning art for art´s sake, like sculptures and trinkets.

(Like the fiber glass masks done by Miguel Hernandez), the most objects had beside their artistic also a pragmatic "practical" use.

"Artesanos" have a long Tradition not only in central but also in the whole South American area. The association net of Artesanos of Central America and the Caribbean (Red de Artesanos de Centroamérica y el Caribe) tries to connect the artists among themselves and promote development.

Thru the generation of distribution possibilities and with information campaigns economic growth shall be encouraged and poverty shall be reduced. Further it shall rescue the cultural identity of the peoples of Central America and preserve them.