The here and now... and what and why

Complacency is a trap. At least that’s what I was thinking when I up and left the comfort of a Yankee prep school gig, where I taught music, amongst other things, for 28 years. There was also that life long career as a composer, musician and artist.

First, it was a year in St. Thomas, USVI, working as a reporter and shooting photography and then, a year in San Agustin Etla, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Time passed.
More time passed and a year back in the Athens of America followed by a hasty return to Oaxaca where it is all happening.
A couple of years in San Sebastian Etla and now, just down the road in San Pablo Etla. Life is good.

Click on an image to see it larger.
For additional photography please visit my flickr page.
You can find my music on Jango (World & latin - Worldbeat) and at iTunes and most online stores.
¡Soy consciente de todas las tradiciones del Internet!
If you are coming to Oaxaca, please contact me for tours or advice.

Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo
The view from Corazon del Pueblo

The hereafter re me

My photo
Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
Musician, photographer, videographer, reporter, ex-officio teacher, now attempting to be a world traveler

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Ethereal

There are so many aspects to El Dia de los Muertos, it is impossible to begin to describe.  Much of it is visceral.  It needs to be experienced.

Yesterday in the small chapel or capilla, in the cemetery in Teotitlan del Valle, was such a moment.  The chapel is empty save for the altar, so it is acoustically very resonant.  These four men came in, knelt before the altar and began to sing.  It was a combination of Tibetan and Gregorian chant.  The words were Spanish, but the atmosphere was entirely Zapotec.  The sound was unworldly and mesmerizing.  I got some of it on video and will post it later.  The air was filled with the fragrance of copal and smoke.  The sun beamed in and blessed the day.  In truth, you had to be there.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is very special. I wish I had been there. I can't wait for your video.

I noticed that many of your photos are from Teotitlan. Why have you focused on this village?

Thank you for all the Dia de Los Muertos photos. Your display is better than the newspapers.

Joan

Christopher Stowens said...

Teotitlan is a very special village, where they work hard to maintain traditions in these changing and challenging times. It just has everything. Plus, really nice people and really, really good food.

Thanks for the kind words, Joan. When I recover, there is some mighty fine stuff to post.

Anonymous said...

I agree that Teotitlan is special. I bet there is no other place like it on earth.

Joan

Anonymous said...

I agree with the previous commentor-a special moment- but a sacred moment-the photographer's veritable "decisive moment"- as a photographer and an observer- has this crossed the line from the sacred to the profane - am I entitled to record this moment because I have a camera in hand- when does the subject become the object- tricky question- but as for me- I'll pass on viewing the video.

Christopher Stowens said...

Anon,

That's your choice and your opinion. However, you were not there and you do not know the circumstances. I am always respectful in terms of shooting or not. What would you say if I told you I was encouraged to shoot and record it?

Anonymous said...

I'd say you did your job