Weaving cultures

Pojoaque residents and members of the Guaraní tribe in Brazil will meet face to face over the airwaves

Ana Maria Trujillo | The New Mexican

10/5/2008 - 10/6/08

Six years ago, well-known artist Roxanne Swentzell, Poeh Cultural Center's Arts Training Coordinator Phil Karshis and Pojoaque Pueblo Gov. George Rivera took a trip to Brazil to share their culture with the Guaraní tribe of Rio de Janeiro.

It was dark and rainy in Brazil and often the three wondered exactly what they were doing there.

Despite the language barrier, they became great friends with the Guaraní and learned the tribe, which still did basketweaving, had once, long ago, done pottery but the practice had since gone extinct. The three learned that the basketweaving techniques of the Guaraní had moved away from tradition and toward flashy baskets that are more likely to sell.

Swentzell encouraged them to return to the viejo ways of basketweaving, lest the practice become extinct.

When the three New Mexicans came home, they continued to correspond with the Guaraní via e-mail and occasional visits.

Last year, both parties scrounged together some technology, Web cams, computers, so that they could see each other, and had some live chats.

"We tried this crazy, funny thing in my office," Karshis explained. "We used a camera on my computer and we were talking to one another, laughing and being silly. People were holding up babies — but the funny thing about that is nobody shares the same language. It's hysterical."

Karshis said that they're doing that "crazy, funny" thing again this year, only the Guaraní have stepped up the technology on their end. A television station in Rio de Janeiro has sponsored them and will be streaming the whole interaction live on TV.

"It's amazing that they are going to be able to have this live," Karshis said. "We're kind of scared, though. When you're doing something live like that, there's no editing."

Four Northern New Mexico artists will be showing the Guaraní their art while the Guaraní artists will reciprocate. Swentzell, Michele Tapia-Browning of Pojoaque, Mary Lou Olivas of Isleta del Sur and Joan Coriz of Santo Domingo Pueblo will be live on TV in Brazil.

As many people as will fit in Karshis' office are welcome to attend the event, which takes place at 11 a.m. Oct. 11 at the Poeh Cultural Center.

"I'm convinced it's going to be hysterical," Karshis said with a laugh. "They're going to be trying to describe things between Guaraní and Tewa ... There will be too much eating and laughing and looking at each other's baskets."

Contact Ana Maria Trujillo at 986-3048 or atrujillo@sfnewmexican.com.