ON THE COVER with ERICK MENDOZA and the legacy of Traditions in Youth

It is remarkable when a young talent like Erick Mendoza becomes interested in the typical traditions of San Miguel, which rather than seeming stiff, take on new energy and color through the vision and freshness of his young age.

After being named Young Ambassador of the Cultures and Traditions of Guanajuato, Erick’s work and that of his incredible team began to give rise to multiple works, among which his grandiose mojigangas stand out.

Because beyond being the typical ones we already know, these in particular have somewhat more grotesque physical features, highlighting their large eyes or cheekbones, for example, in addition to combining traditional elements with modern attributes.

This can be clearly exemplified by describing a mojiganga he created as a kind of self-portrait. In it, one can make out a young man with brown hair, an aquiline nose, and an enthusiastic expression, dressed in a painter’s overalls and holding McDonald’s French fries.

This kind of contrast between ancient, respected work and contemporary touches such as a taste for junk food is what gives Erick’s creations a life of their own.

For the Ambassador of Culture, the Mojigangas, besides being a festive element, are also responsible for scaring away bad energies and bad vibes that might follow the town, thus clearing its path of all evil.

It was from a young age that Erick developed his creativity, not having the financial resources to attend cartonería workshops with great masters such as Hermes Arroyo, and with the support of his family, including his grandmother, he found other ways beyond the typical and conventional routes to develop as an artist.

Since the traditional route is sometimes not the right one for having an individual voice as creators, the young man did not rest until he was able to study at Instituto Allende and pursue his degree in Visual Arts, where he was able to gain knowledge from teachers who were not overly guarded with what they knew, as well as meet young classmates eager to create new things. 

Many would think that both visions of tradition are at odds with youth, but that is not the case with the belief in generational renewal that Erick firmly believes in and for which he fights every day to have the opportunity to continue defending the beautiful traditions of San Miguel and to create from them…