Mexico, Oaxaca: Leonie’s Residency
London-Mexico City-Oaxaca - Week One
I’m the worst person to sit next to in a flight, I am always up getting something out of my bag, usually getting a snack, or hand cream or this time my matcha which to make an iced matcha 30,000 feet in the air. I carefully pour and measured out and waiting for the air host to bring me a cup of hot water and they playfully gave funny look and I explained it’s all I drink aside from water and tea so allow me.
I thought about how grateful I feel to be in this plane and how a lot of my friends helped get me here from my best friend Liam who woke up on his weekend to drive me to the airport, to my friend and previous co-worker Yaa who shared this opportunity with me or my cousin by choice Emkay who sat between timezones and helped me pull the application for the residency together or Camilla who let me crash and her place before I got onto my next flight to Oaxaca, or Josh who is always down to riff with me- I’m sustained by my community.
When I landed, there was a man holding an iPhone out with my name and another’s running past it like in the movies, we dumped our things in the bag and exchanged pleasantries the ride to our residency. The space was beautiful, my room was located on the roof and shortly after unpacking it was time for a welcome dinner, we sat and just about covered most serious topics. The next morning during orientation a code of conduct was read, and overview of the schedule for the week ahead to remind us that we’re here to work as well as play. This first week so far included a studio visit to a past resident ( Edgar Jahir Trujillo Oaxacan architect, researcher and plastic artist focused on the use of cochineal. His work is informed by the cultural and natural architecture that surrounds him. Invited us in to
play with colour theory of the cochineal, practising stillness and awareness to listen to the bird calls nearby. I spent the last working day of this week eating many tacos tried, lots of foundational outlining, last minute admin and job call outs and preparing an introductory presentation to what has lead me to this point, it’s been fun to look back and to remind myself of how far I’ve come which is hard to do. I’ve been on a no Instagram ban for a full calendar year and wanted to still share somethings you are all welcome LOL.
Highlights of this week:
Odette Bakery in Mexico City
Camila’s pup Yali
Plantain at the welcome dinner in Oaxaca
The bird calls
Walking around the plaza in Mexico city
The fact that everyone says buenos dias/tardes/noches as you pass by in the street
Looking back fondly at my past self
