Ajutchit Ián c. 1932

Editor: This graphite drawing, "Ajutchit Ián," created around 1932 by William Spratling, presents a captivating landscape. It’s giving me strong muralist vibes. What elements stand out to you in terms of its production or potential consumption? Curator: It's crucial to see this not just as a landscape but as a product of its time, reflecting the surge of interest in Mexican identity and the indigenismo movement after the revolution. The meticulous graphite rendering itself speaks to a deliberate process. Consider the labor involved in creating this intricate scene. The means of its production– graphite, paper, and the artist's hand – were accessible, relatively speaking. Editor: So, the choice of materials is important because it speaks to accessibility. How does the visual content tie into this material aspect? Curator: Notice the scene: native flora, suggestive of the agave plant from which mezcal is derived. What does that suggest to you about potential trade or a local economy dependent on these natural resources at the time it was made? Is it simply picturesque, or does it subtly point towards a cycle of labor and material consumption intrinsic to the land? It looks at tradition, and challenges the viewers role of both creator and consumer. Editor: It makes you wonder about the economy of this town as well. Seeing this through the lens of materials and consumption definitely changes my initial perception. I initially saw it just as landscape but there's more than meets the eye here! Curator: Exactly. By focusing on production and materials, we see the art as deeply embedded in its social and economic fabric.