For the next three weeks, look up in the main hallway. Fantastical, brightly colored paper-mâché beasts are hanging above students’ heads. These monsters, called alebrijes, are displayed in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month and were created by art teacher Karen Lange’s A252 3D Art: Clay, Sculpture, and Design class.
Alebrijes are depictions of imaginary creatures from Mexican folk art. They were created in 1936, when Pedro Linares, an artist who created pinatas and masks and other items from cartoñeria–a material similar to paper-mâché–became ill with a high fever and hallucinated creatures while hearing the nonsensical word “alebrije” repeated over and over.
A six week process, creating the alebrijes starts off with underlying structures made of chicken wire for sturdiness. After, they placed paper-mâché onto the wire and sealed it with gesso–a hard, protective barrier that seals the paper-mâché. After letting the gesso harden, students painted their alebrijes with bright colors.
Lange wanted her art students to be able to create familiar items, and have many students recognize these cultural crafts. Over 50 percent of the student body identifies as Hispanic.
“When I had back-to-school night, a lot of the parents knew exactly what [the alebrijes] were,” Lange said. “And a lot of the kids love it too, because they know what they are.”
But what about after they’re taken down? Since these alebrijes have hooks and are relatively small, they can fit anywhere. Lange teaches her students how to hang the alebrijes up, so they can enjoy a piece of their art at home.
“Most of the kids take [the alebrijes] home,” Lange said. “They’re so excited to have them”
National Hispanic Heritage Month is from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, and celebrates the achievements of Americans who have ancestral ties to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The alebrijes are hung up around the main hallway, along with a banner near the main entrance and bus entrance to elaborate on the historical significance and cultural meaning. Lange hopes this experience, from building to hanging to displaying, will further connect students to their heritage and make them feel more connected to Palatine.
“You belong here,” Lange said. “Walking in and seeing a bunch of alebrijes hanging and seeing something familiar really drives that home.”
