Ventura-based musician and archaeomusicologist Luis Perez. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Ventura County.
The opening reception for the exhibits “Music before Columbus: The Collection of Luis Perez” and “Hilos de la Vida/Threads of Life: The Weavers of Teotitlán del Valle” will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24 at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main St., Ventura.
“Music before Columbus: The Collection of Luis Perez” will exhibit Ventura-based musician and archaeomusicologist Luis Perez’s collection of pre-Columbian musical instruments and ritual objects from Mesoamerica, the museum reported in a media release. A related exhibit, “The White Instruments: Recent Creations by Luis Perez,” features modern wind and percussion instruments sculpted in clay by Perez. He uses these pre-Columbian inspired pieces to compose and record contemporary music. All exhibits run through May 27.
“Music before Columbus” provides an introductory glimpse into the pre-Columbian world of music, dance and ritual with detailed information on selected artifacts. In a gallery video, visitors will hear the sounds made by several of the pieces.
Perez, who grew up in Mexico City, has devoted himself to extensive research into pre-Columbian music and mythology, the collection of archaeological artifacts and the study of living musical traditions in Mexico.
A Mexican textile created at the Bii Daüü Zapotec Arts Center in Oaxaca. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Ventura County.
A Mexican textile created at the Bii Daüü Zapotec Arts Center in Oaxaca. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Ventura County.
A weaver works on a Mexican textile at the Bii Daüü Zapotec Arts Center in Oaxaca. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Ventura County.
Working on the raw materials for a Mexican textile. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Ventura County.
The reception will also serve as an introduction to “Hilos de la Vida/Threads of Life: The Weavers of Teotitlán del Valle” with musical entertainment by Grupo Amor y Paz.
The textile tradition of Teotitlán del Valle, a Zapotec community in Oaxaca, Mexico, features woven pieces from the Bii Daüü Zapotec Arts Center.
Established in 2004, the Bii Daüü Zapotec Arts Center is a cooperative dedicated to the production of textiles using only natural dyes and original designs, the museum reported. It makes a commitment to cultural sustainability by teaching young people in Teotitlán del Valle traditional methods in order to preserve the ancient Zapotec techniques.
Work by local Zapotec weaver and artist Porfirio Gutierrez of Ventura is also featured. Gutierrez uses traditional methods but applies a more modern interpretation to Zapotec-inspired designs. Included with the exhibit is a demonstration of the techniques of the foot loom and a look at how textiles are used in everyday life.
An Ahau K` Ak Trumpet, clay instrument. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Ventura County.
An Anthropomorphic Pentatonic Flute. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Ventura County.
In another music event, at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 11, Luis Perez will share his knowledge about music and ritual in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica and demonstrate the sounds of a selection of artifacts from the exhibit at the museum.
Admission to the reception on Feb. 24 is $5 for the general public, free for museum members. To RSVP, call 805.653.0323, ext. 7.
Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission to the exhibits is $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 children 6-17. Members and children under 6 are free. Visit www.venturamuseum.org or call 805.653.0323 for more information.