Alebrijes (IMS)
Firstly created by Pedro Linares López in 1936, these fantastical and brightly colored creatures have become intrinsic to Mexican popular culture. They can be made with a metal frame, covered with paper or cardboard, and decorated with vibrant and happy colors. Each alebrije is unique and shaped by the different animal parts that are combined within it.
During the second half of our third trimester, while reading the short novel Frida Kahlo, we learned about the artist’s love for animals. We also learned that Linares himself made alebrijes for Frida and Diego Rivera. It was then a good moment for us to learn not only about different body parts, but to explore how these unique creatures were born and created by combining parts from real and fantastic creatures, and to eventually create our own!
After looking at different animals and selecting specific body parts, each student created a digital drawing of their alebrije. In order to achieve this they used Google Slides as their canvas, and made good use of its formatting and editing options, as well as learning how to easily remove backgrounds by employing the website remove.bg. Once their alebrije drawings were completed, it was time to work on their tridimensional sculptures! There are four steps to the process: creating a metal frame, covering it using the papier maché method, painting it with gesso, and decorating it.
To accompany their sculptures, each student wrote an interview in which they imagined conversations they would have with their beautiful creations. This writing prompt gave them the opportunity to review the vocabulary and grammar they have learned in their Spanish classes thus far.
Pedro Linares painting an alebrije.
Frida Kahlo by Kristy Placido.
Steps to create an alebrije.
GRACE
Alebrije digital, click to enlarge.
JAMEELAH
Alebrije digital, click to enlarge.
KAYLA
Alebrije digital, click to enlarge.
