from maguey to agave
fieldbook and studies following various modes of visualizing and documenting.The project was sparked by a number of curious interactions with blooming agave plants in very climats and habitats such as in city gardens, backyards, plantations, abandoned fields, and parking lots.
I documented these encounters and collected photos, botanical illustrations, archival material, and scientific data into a field book. The pages, when put together, demonstrate how visual representations can shape our perceptions and understanding of nature, ultimately influencing our cultural beliefs and collective imaginaries.
Some key political turns appear as we take a closer look; during colonial times, agaves in illustrations symbolized control and dominance over indigenous cultures. During the Mexican War of Independence, they became symbols of resistance, resilience, and liberation before becoming emblems of commodification and industrialization. In contemporary times, agaves have also gained significance as symbols of sustainability and environmental conservation efforts.
Changes in how agaves are viewed and portrayed show how complicated the relationship between history, culture, and social values is. It also shows how our relationship with the image itself is manufatured.
research material and other resources
include link to Anna tsing and others