Mexican art plunges its roots in the ancient indigenous traditions but it was also influenced by European and Asian cultures, this is why the majolicas of Puebla recall the products of Chinese pottery.
The Mexican handicraft is connected to ceremonial events. Indeed, many products are used for the celebration of the Holy Week and in particular to the celebration of the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos): for this particular event, local people prepare skulls with every kinds of materials. For those who want to learn something more about the art of this amazing country, the Popular Art Museum in Mexico City is worth a visit.
Furthemore, Mayan and Atzech heritage also influences local art as well as the traditional music. In fact, Mexico was the former home to important pre-Columbian communities.
Painting, literature and music
Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera, two important representatives of Surrealist movement, are surely some of the most renowned persons of this amazing country. Their house-museum can be visited in Mexico City, in the district of Coyoacan. Also Francisco Eppens Helguera was an important painter and sculptor, he is remembered as the creator of Mexican flag.
Literature and music are two important and relevant sectors in Mexican art. Mariano Azuela and Octavio Paz, who won the Nobel Prize, are some of the main exponents of the national literature. On the other hand, Carlos Santana is one of the most important characters of contemporary music. After having taken part in the first Woodstock, during the '60s, he became known worldwide thanks to some albums such as "Abraxas" and songs like "Samba pa ti". Over the last few years, he has been capable to renovate his style and win over a younger public thanks to some duets.
Some other relevant characters are Teodoro González de León, architect and designer of the Auditorio Nacional, and Carmen Mondragón, poet and fashion model, who is remembered because of some nude pictures really daring for the time.
