| BOOK REVIEW
OAXACA
The Spirit of
Mexico
Photography by Judith Cooper Haden
Text by Matthew Jaffe
Artisan, NYC ISBN: 1-57965-214-X
 The
city and State of Oaxaca have become the place to travel to in Mexico in
recent years. Judith Cooper Haden’s
magical book, Oaxaca, The Spirit of Mexico, now takes everyone there, if
not in body, then in mind. Through her 200 photographs and text by
Matthew Jaffe, Oaxaca comes alive.
Haden’s captivating photos of gold encrusted altars, wrinkled faces
of Zapotec and Mixtec Indiand, colorful patterns, luscious tropical
fruits and vegetables, colorful markets and artful pottery give her
readers an insight into the magic and mystery of one of Mexico’s
culturally richest states.
Whether starring into the eyes of a young accordion player or
juxtaposing an Indian woman in front of a 20th-century
corporate advertisement, Haden has successfully captured the sensitivity
and pathos of not only the Oaxacan people but also of the bright spots
of color in the landscape and architecture. Haden shares with her
readers the brilliant yellow of marigolds and the colorful costumes of
dancers at the annual Guelaguetza Festival. She brings the hot pinks,
bright blues, and rich ochres of village buildings to the reader’s
attention.
Jaffe’s text compliments Haden’s rich photography, bringing
Oaxaca to life in words. In describing a little girl selling straw
weavings in a café on the zocalo or main square of Oaxaca, he says,
"When someone buys one of her straw weavings, she lingers at the
table for a long time. Her dark eyes reflect the street lights as she
describes her village and talks about her dreams."
This book is an absolute must have for anyone who loves Mexico. It’s
a book that will add grace and charm to any coffee table.
|
Visitors
and locals scream, sing, shout and dance amid confetti and ribbons.
Bands of all kinds play the infectious rhythms of the State of Sinaloa.
And the food–oh, the food–camarones (shrimp) prepared in
every way possible, washed down with ice cold Pacifico beer, for it’s
Carnaval Time, Mazatlán’s biggest pachanga (fiesta).