Sunday, January 11, 2009

Back in the Red!

No, I am not referring to the current financial doom and gloom!! Having posted recently on the green heart of DF, and getting back to the blues of Mexico, today I happen to be in the mood for red, and as with all colours in Mexico, there happens to be no shortage of inspiration around, be it from the world of Nature or the world of Art and Artisans.

Red hibiscus flower - beach resort of Zihuatenejo.

Here in Mexico, I am more alert to colour than any other country I have lived in, and nowhere does it manifest itself more clearly than in the vibrant work of local artisans...

Textiles from the State of Chiapas.


Chilli pepper ceramics from Taxco.

Basketry also from Taxco.

Vintage Corona beer tray from the antiques market in Puebla.


Even round and about the streets of Mexico City yesterday, the artists' colour of choice was a very vibrant red...


Sculpture Installation currently outside Palacio de Bellas Artes - Bicicletas - Gilberto Navarro.


Red Chair - part of the chair exhibition on Reforma, Df that seems to have become a permanent fixture.

And lastly one more final image from Nature...

Flower nochebuena (poinsettia) which is indigenous to Mexico and adorns everyones' houses at Christmas time, and is planted all around the city at this time of year.

Indeed my apartment interior has been dubbed El Palacio Rojo (The Red Palace) because it is decorated entirely in bright reds with a touch of green ie chilli and lime... something that would look dead naff and tacky ie "naco" in London, but with the light and vibrancy works beautifully here ( I hope!!). PS: The word palace is purely ironic.

What colour is inspiring you most at the start of a New Year 2009??

20 comments:

Cecile/DreamCreateRepeat said...

Purple! I just participated in a Shutter Click & Chat challenge on my blog and purple was the color of choice!

Your photos are always so appealing. I am definitely adding Mexico City to my travel wish list!

Cecile/DreamCreateRepeat said...

Back again....thanks for the compliments on my "virtual outfit." I found those shoes on Nordstrom.com and I'm considering getting a pair!

Fly Girl said...

Oh, I would love to see your palacio rojo! I always surround myself with vibrant colors, although my house has more muted spice tones. Purple, pink and red are my favorite colors and I'm usually attracted to some variation of them. Lately though, I have been pulled toward corals and salmon tones.

A Cuban In London said...

Though not big on red (note: I support the London Blues, Chelsea), I loved you photos because you opened with one of my favourite flowers, the 'marpacifico'. Beatiful name and ravishing colour. The rest of the images were superb. Thanks a lot for your post.

And by the way, I love Cesaria.

Greetings from London.

ozgirl said...

Fantastic Catherine. Your photos are just gorgeous. Love the red and the shots of the people. Thanks for the card and the chance to read these blogs.

kristine said...

wow, co many lovely red things! LOVE that beer tray!!

Catherine said...

SOS Ozgirl...please identify yourself!! You are obviously somebody I know?? as I presume you are referring to a Christmas card I sent you?? but I cannot get through to your blog..please give me the details asap so I look you up on the web!!

ozgirl said...

Got ya! It's marlene on holidays with time to set up new accounts etc. Sorry to confuse you. Will add more details later. xx

Catherine said...

You certainly did get me, Marlene!!! look forward to hearing a whole lot more from you!!!

Bob Cox said...

Nice blog Cathy... nice to see someone who can still see the magic around them... (not jaded like me...I'm like a junkie who needs a more exciting fix to get high...guess I've seen too much)
Anyway love your photos...keep it up!!!

Wendy said...

The reds in El Palacio Rojo work perfectly. And to have floor to celing windows...sigh.

Kawaii cat said...

Me encanta tu visión de México... a veces, a los que vivimos aqui desde hace mucho tiempo se nos olvida apreciar la belleza de los pequeños detalles e instantes.

Catherine said...

Wendy...as a frequent visitor to El Palacio Rojo you will know that all that red artisan stuff is right here in my flat!! look forward to seeing you again down here in March
Flygirl, Kristine, Bob, - thanks for visiting again with your kind appreciative comments
Kawaii Cat - me encanta vivir y viajar en Mexico, y me gusta mucho mostrar las imagens muy positivos de DF... muchas gracias!!

Catherine said...

And thanks Cuban in London for reminding me about the best in London plus the world music we both seem to love and admire...

ninja said...

That's some yummy red!r

Linda S. Socha said...

Definitely red and purple. Wonderdeful creative post
Love your photos!
Linda

Lakshmi said...

the colours are definitely striking...

Giancarlo said...

lovely photos... Now I really want to travel to Mexico... that if I evert get a job there...and that if I finish college.:)

Catherine said...

Hi everyone - Koala,Linga, Lakshmi,lloilo...thanks for stopping by and thanks for the lovely comments about all the colours...much appreciated!

Heidi Leon Monges said...

red? yes, red for me too, funny, in China (where I live) red is also THE color for special celebrations like weddings, and Chinese New Year because it brings good luck..

Btw,Love your red pictures selection.

saludos desde Shanghai,

Heidi (aromasysabores)