DVD II: Colors of Latin America

Colors of Latin America : on wool fibers using sustainable methods

“Colors of Latin America” was filmed in Oaxaca, Mexico, a city still infused in textile traditions and a multitude of other vibrant local arts. Filming took place at Centro de las Artes de San Agustín, Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca, Museo Textil de Oaxaca, a local cochineal farm, weavers studios in Teotitlan, and other sites nearby.

An in-depth exploration and explanation of RED, BLUE, AND YELLOW natural dyes on animal protein fibers*. Teaching sustainable processes for textiles and fashion, devising ecological dye methods by minimizing dye, fuel, mordant, time, and environmental impact on nature. Includes an investigation and interesting hypothesis of azul Maya. *mostly wool, but also alpaca, camel, goat, yak of varying natural colors — no silk

This second film of the series offers historical vantage points looking at samples of traditional textiles, like amarras from Pre-Columbian traditions, while examining contemporary Oaxacan textiles made with Zapotecan natural dye methods.

DETAILS: Two-disc set, 3.5+ hours, English narration, subtitles in Chinese, Japanese, Francais, Espanol, Italiano. Produced by Yoshiko I. Wada and Slow Fiber Studios, a program of the World Shibori Network. Directed and filmed by Andrew Galli of Studio Galli Productions.

DISC ONE: Conventional and unconventional mordanting on animal fiber (alum + cream of tartar, bio-accumulators of Al, tannins + lemon juice); Shades of cochineal red; Indigo workshop using fruit skins; Maya blue pigment

DISC TWO: Yellow shades with alum mordant; Green shades; Orange shades; Violet and browns; Purple shades; Black shades without mordant using ferrous; Sapote Negro; Oaxaca Botanical Garden; Textile Museum of Oaxaca; local weaving families of Mendoza and Chavez. Preview video of Mendoza family at their studio in Teotitlán del Valle.

[DVD1 “Colors of Provence” focuses on natural dyed prints on cotton and is intended for dyeing on cellulosic fibers, ie plant-based fibers and fabrics]