(Camargo L and Moreno R at left and attached)
"The Alebrijes are ambassadors," said Alberto Moreno Fernandez, one of the artists in residence currently working at the Gail Borden Public Library. He explained how the imaginary creatures connect with people of all cultures.
Edgar Camargo Reyes explained, "We very much like them being at the library as they are reaching people of so many different cultures. The library is accessible to so many."
The Alebrijes, Creatures of a Dream World, exhibit opens this Saturday, September 9, and continues on through the first week in January 2024. Everyone is invited to the Tuesday, September 12 , 4:30 pm kick-off that will include many family fun activities.
People visiting the Library and the exhibit next week will enjoy a special treat as these two Alebrijes artists will be putting finishing touches on Baron the 14-foot bird-like creature in the Library's rotunda as well as touching up some of the other 19 creatures located throughout the library.
Both artists hail from Xochimilco, Mexico City. Camargo has been interested in these imaginary creatures since he was a little child. His parents owned a small store and they would not let them purchase the mini figures because they were too frightening. However, as an adult, he took a creative class with his daugher where they were teaching alebrijes making. From there, he took more and more classes, including artes plasticas, and he has never stopped creating or learning. He credits the movie Coco with making this art form more relatable and less scary.
Moreno is a self taught artist. He was hooked on the art form at age 5 when he made his own puppet. He has many creative talents that include stilt-walking and juggling. But it was his time at Fábrica de Artes y Oficios de Oriente that started his career of creating alebrijes which began in 2005.
They both have appreciated their time in Elgin, saying it is a warm, family place. Moreno added, "It looks like it has an interesting history and I like how history helps form the present and future."
We conducted this interview in Spanish, but the smiles were universal. According to Camargo and Moreno, that is what this Abebrijes exhibit is all about.
Next week, many Gail Borden staff members will be on hand with any needed translations.
Favorite books -
Camargo's favorite authors and books:
The Call of the Wild – Jack London
100 años de Soledad – Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Walt Whitman
Moreno's favorite authors and books:
Alejandro Jodorowski
La Mechanica Del Corazón – Mathias Malzieu
Las Batallas en el Desierto – Jose Luis Pacheco
Creatures in the exhibit that have extra special meaning to them.
Camargo - Pepe the Hippo located in KidSpace because he and his wife created the art.
Moreno - Bicefalo the Dragon because its multiple heads represent the many different paths for decision-making.
