Celaya's sweet and structural mastery
Chapter 1

The humble origins of paper and paste

Chapter 2

Pedro Linares and the birth of the alebrije

Chapter 3

Skeletons of celebration and Day of the Dead

Chapter 4

Regional masters and the modern global legacy

YOUR GOAL

Master of The paper monsters of Mexico

Ch 4 · Regional masters and the modern global legacy
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choko Giant alebrijes take over Mexico City for an annual parade.

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choko Mexican Cartonería Masters

Dreaming alebrijes! Dreaming alebrijes! A master's dream goes round the world!

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What we build together does not need to be permanent to have lasting value.

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choko The Soteno family of Mexico crafts legendary Tree of Life sculptures.

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The annual parade of giant alebrijes

choko The Museo de Arte Popular parade on Paseo de la Reforma celebrates cartonería as a living spectacle crafted

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The legendary Soteno family

choko Soteno family artisans pose with a vibrant, detailed paper-mâché Tree of Life sculpture.

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Regional masters and the modern global legacy
BETA

choko Match modern global art to regional masters to discover the legacy of Mexican cartonería.

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Fun Fact

Giant monsters: The monumental cartonería alebrijes built for Mexico City's annual parade can stand up to 13 feet tall and take entire neighborhoods months to construct.

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Glossary
alebrije (noun)
A brightly colored Mexican folk art sculpture of a fantastical creature. Pedro Linares of Mexico City created these sculptures in 1936, sparking a global art movement.

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Gossip

Where would you display a giant 10-foot alebrije?

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Quiz

On which famous Mexico City avenue do the giant monumental alebrijes parade every October?

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choko Celaya artisans master the traditional Mexican craft of cardboard toy making

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Quiz

Which museum in Mexico City organizes the famous annual parade of giant cartonería alebrijes?

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choko Traditional paper mache artisans struggle to survive in a plastic world

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Quiz

What traditional, highly intricate clay sculpture style did the Soteno family of Metepec adapt into cartonería?

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Quiz

How tall can the monumental alebrijes featured in Mexico City's annual parade reach?

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Quiz

Which city in the state of Guanajuato is historically recognized as the capital of Mexican cartonería toy-making?

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Quiz

What is the main economic challenge facing traditional cartonería artisans in the 21st century?

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Quiz

What is the name of the traditional, brightly painted cardboard doll horse made in Celaya?

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Quiz

Why is traditional cartonería considered a highly sustainable and eco-friendly art form today?

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