SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 26th March (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Cabildo of Tenerife is showcasing the treasures of the Museum of Ibero-American Crafts (MAIT) through an innovative audiovisual project.
This new initiative was unveiled on Tuesday by Efrain Medina, the Minister of Employment, Education, and Youth; Ricardo Cloguen, the manager of Insular Crafts Company SA; and Milagros Amador, the museum and documentation expert at MAIT.
“I am grateful for the tremendous effort put in by the whole team to bring this project to life. These ten key pieces hold significant value in the journey of craftsmanship and are preserved, let’s not forget, in the world’s most renowned museum of Ibero-American Crafts,” explained Efraín Medina.
Ricardo Cloguen emphasised the significance of MAIT’s collections and the diverse programs it offers, such as travelling exhibitions.
“Besides our dedicated team, we are fortunate to have individuals closely involved in the Board of Directors in all our endeavours,” he added.
Milagros Amador praised the quality of the selected pieces featured in the videos.
“The initiative by the Museum of Ibero-American Crafts of Tenerife to showcase the ’10 Featured Pieces’ displayed in The Treasure Room aims to present the most representative items housed in this space, showcasing various crafts from Latin America. Here, you can find works including turned wood, varnish decorations, embroidery, and openwork,” she highlighted.
The Museum of Ibero-American Crafts of Tenerife is part of a dissemination programme led by the Cabildo of Tenerife through Insular Crafts Company SA. The primary goal is to promote the artisanal heritage of Ibero-America in a direct and tangible manner, creating an extensive permanent exhibition that is truly representative of all forms of Ibero-American crafts, whether contemporary or historical, with special attention given to Canarian crafts.
HISTORIC SAN BENITO ABAD CONVENT
Housed in the historic San Benito Abad convent, the museum has its roots in the Dominican religious order that once resided there, from whom it derived its name.
The establishment of the convent in La Orotava was made possible by the generosity of the Mesa family, who facilitated its construction around 1592, transferring the Church and the surrounding lands for this purpose on Calle del Agua, known today as Tomás Zerolo, according to a documented record.
Presently, the museum features ten rooms dedicated to permanent and temporary exhibitions showcasing the acquisitions made over the years, including items on loan, donations, or purchases for the museum’s collection. The exhibitions are diverse, ranging from the collection ‘Popular Art in America and the Philippines,’ to the Regional Design Awards of Canarian Crafts, popular musical instruments from Spain and America, and Spanish traditional pottery.
The audiovisual project involves creating ten one-minute videos focusing on the distinctive features of some of the finest pieces from the Museum of Ibero-American Crafts.
The initial selection of pieces for this project includes: Roses; Five hundred years of America; Burled Matte; Andean Birth; The spirit. Armadillo/tortoise; Manila shawl; Crimson; Tamo Plate; Salamanca Soles; and Wedding Dress with jasmine rosette.
