A tome converted into a coffee pot, a snowman, an antique telephone, a massive ladybird, or a carousel. Others have been fashioned into nativity scenes, a Christmas tree adorned with vibrant lights, a circus tent, or an old water fountain…
Rescuing literature, wholly altering them, and breathing new life into a society where a disposable mentality reigns, and items have a fleeting usable existence is a task that, for Jose Manuel Esquivel, “it’s worth it”. This approach also aligns with his life philosophy and that of the The Ladder Cultural Collective, which he has been a part of for several years. One of its aims is to contribute to environmental conservation and promote the restoration of ecological balance.
It is precisely for this reason, alongside its dedication to safeguarding and disseminating Canarian traditions, that this year it was awarded the Villa de La Orotava Crafts and Heritage Award, a recognition bestowed by the local council for the past 21 years.
This artisan from La Orotava continues to participate in the Pinolere Fair. He previously worked as an administrator in a company and spent a significant portion of his life surrounded by paper, a material that is often discarded. He decided to repurpose it to create valuable new items after crafting his first Christmas tree. Since that moment, his creative journey has been relentless.
José Manuel, or simply Esquivel, as he is known among friends, acquires books from flea markets and street vendors, often opting for editions in languages other than Spanish. This may perhaps be to avoid temptation, as he keeps the books he treasures or has yet to read in his library at home.
His creativity takes charge from there. He conjures up figures, designs them mentally, and subsequently endeavours to realise them using the book pages, meticulously folding, cutting, painting them in various hues, and incorporating additional materials and small embellishments to enhance the pieces. In some creations, he exclusively highlights the book’s cover, granting it significant attention.
Every creation, every scene or painting represents an entire book. Some projects require mere hours, while others demand an entire day due to their complexity. It is important to mention that he utilises a cutter, a delicate instrument that necessitates focus and precision when cutting.
“It largely depends on your pace and the level of fatigue as your fingers bear the brunt. However, witnessing the end result makes everything worthwhile,” he explains.
He showcases a staircase, an intricate example of craftsmanship as it requires cutting “step by step” to construct it. This is why, when people assert that a handcrafted piece “is pricey,” he justifies himself with strong reasoning: he understands the effort and hours invested, consequently recognising its worth, even though it may never reflect the “true” value.
In every 3D piece and painting featuring the faces of renowned individuals, there exists a nearly unseen component, namely the wires that permit some of them to illuminate.
“There are no adhesives or junctions of any kind,” remarked several attendees at his booth on Friday, the exhibition’s opening day, who admired his creations.
Altered books are gaining popularity in the sphere of art and crafts, involving the utilisation of books that are no longer in circulation, are damaged, or have become irrelevant due to their content as principal materials for a new creation where the text takes a secondary role. “The essence lies in the book, recycling it,” he states. He employs various methods: cutting, tearing, folding, and embedding objects to forge distinctive items in which the book is the central feature.
Esquivel had no formal education; he is self-taught. Crafting has intrigued him since childhood. He sees it as “a form of therapeutic relaxation, far better than pills, as it enables you to dive into the task and forget everything, including your debts,” he quips.
His daughter Leila, who is accompanying him and assisting at his stall, chuckles. “It relaxes him so much that there’s no space left in my home,” she remarks.
José Manuel is celebrating his 65th birthday tomorrow and is “officially” retiring, despite having taken early retirement four years ago. “I aim to dedicate my time to my passion and to live fully, as we are only here for a few days and I want to relish them,” he emphasises.
Honouring Tuineje for Upholding Traditions
As part of the Crafts Fair, the Pinolere Ethnographic Park hosted a tribute yesterday to celebrate traditions, recognising the contributions made by the Rancho de ánimas de Tiscamanita from the municipality of Tuineje, Fuerteventura.
The ranches embody the oldest expressions of Canarian folklore, stemming from the ancient brotherhoods of souls that once flourished in nearly every town across the Archipelago.
The group honoured in Pinolere boasts a history spanning 224 years and parades through the streets of the municipality every December 7, on the eve of the Immaculate Conception, performing their musical repertoire. The steward continues the ritual in front of each home within the neighbourhood, asking: “Do we eat or pray here?”
