Arts and Humanities Professor Frida Larios, co-creates Tree Codex: Mural-making as a cultural collective
Arts and Humanities Professor Frida Larios, co-creates Tree Codex: Mural-making as a cultural collective. This publication documents the making of a mural commissioned by Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School. “In co-creating this book,” explains Larios, “simple words and honest pictures, facilitate a window into the process of drawing and painting the collective tree of life, titled the Tree Codex: Mural-making as a cultural collective. The book with same title, roots into our ancestors as a fresh voice. And just like the trunk of the Tree Codex, it takes readers through our universal blood memory, through the umbilical cord of the mother of all mothers.“ Read More
WASHINGTON DC, OCTOBER 2, 2019 – Tree Codex: Mural-making as a cultural collective is now available from the Thick Press, a collaboration between a social worker and a graphic designer. Tree Codex is the fifth booklet in Thick Press’ “book, emerging” series, a collection of experimental, author-less, rubber-band bound booklets that live somewhere in between zines and artist’s books.
Tree Codex documents the making of a mural commissioned by Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School. The mural is the result of a process of talking, imagining, writing, drawing, and painting facilitated by indigenous artist, activist, and educator, Frida Larios. To initiate their process, co-muralists Musah Swallah, Eliezer Orellana, Mara Vanessa Magaña-Martinez, and Yun Kim employed Larios’ system of ancestral hieroglyphics redesigned as a modern language. Working together, the group arrived at a new image open to multiple interpretations.
In addition to images of the mural and the mural-making process, the booklet contains an experimental text that brings together the voices of the muralists. One of the most interesting aspects of the booklet is Larios’ black-and-white trace drawing of the mural, which Thick Press’ Julie Cho incorporated into the “book, emerging” cover format. All words and images bring to life the experience of working with people from different countries on a mural filled with universal imagery.
“In making this book,” explains Larios, “simple words and honest pictures facilitate a window into the process of drawing and painting the collective tree of life, titled the Tree Codex. The book with the same title roots into our ancestors as a fresh voice. And just like the trunk of the Tree Codex, it takes readers through our universal blood memory, through the umbilical cord of the mother of all mothers.”
The booklet is available from Thick Press at printing cost ($8).
