The shoes I wear were made for running, but I don’t run anymore. I walk.
I used to run along the Hudson River in Riverside Park — noticing little except the expanse of water and the overarching sky and the birds overhead — feeling like a bird flying away. Until, after a few miles, reality would hit me and I knew I had to turn and run back to my studio apartment on Riverside Drive, dripping with sweat.
But that was then in New York, and this is now in San Miguel de Allende. Here and now I wear my running shoes to go for long walks every day. I need to get away from this computer screen and use my eyes to take in everything around me. I need to remind myself that I live in beautiful old Mexico now and that Mexico, like an ancient brown-skinned woman in a weathered rebozo, has embraced me.
There is so much to see here, so much to admire and absorb when you walk the streets in daylight. Yes, hotels, restaurants, and galleries are beginning to reopen, with guards at their doors making sure the entrants are wearing face masks and wiping their feet on the disinfectant-filled mats, taking their temperatures with a pistol-like device, urging the application of hand-sanitizing gel, and insisting that everyone sign in (presumably for contact-tracing purposes).
But I prefer to remain outdoors, beneath the glorious blue sky, with my running-shoe-shod feet firmly on the ground. I still walk briskly like a New Yorker, but I see much more now than I would if I were running past it.
Here are just some of the things I’ve seen on recent walks:
But the piece of art that stopped me in my tracks on a recent walk was this sculpture on the grounds of San Miguel’s art and design center, Fábrica La Aurora:
I may have passed it many times before, but this week it spoke to me. The funny little man, nicknamed Timo (from Timoteo, or Timothy) by his creator, Mexican architect-turned-sculptor Rodrigo de la Sierra, I learned, represented how I – and many others, I’m guessing – have been feeling of late: squished between what was and what appears to lie ahead during this coronavirus pandemic. Timo is trying hard not to be engulfed. We want to cheer him on.
I found more of de la Sierra’s Timos in the Interseccion Contemporary Art gallery inside Fábrica La Aurora, where de la Sierra’s sculptures are celebrating their tenth anniversary.
There are Timos in boxes, trying to get out; Timos marching single-file bravely off to war, with scythe-bearing Death following up the rear; Timos in rowboats with no oars, and many more.
In each, this comic figure at first captures our childish imaginations, then he makes us think about the harsh realities of adult life. As one art critic put it, “With a closer study of this character [Timo], one sees a seemingly comic veneer interpreting some real serious stuff.”
Art, I feel, is meant to speak to us and for us, on a mostly visceral level. De la Sierra’s Timo spoke to me wordlessly this week on one of my solo walks and made me feel less alone.
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For more about de la Sierra and his work, visit his website: www.rodrigodelasierra.com as well as the gallery in SMA where many of his Timos are on display: www.interseccionart.com .
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I am yearning to return to these walks! Thank you sharing this today!
Thanks, Suzanne! Yes, come back as soon as you can. SMA misses you too.
Thank you, Bonnie! I loved this. I am walking here in Newport, RI, observing more than I ever did before. I did not know people were really walking more in SMA. That gives me hope. I cannot wait to return, but it will be awhile. Continue to enjoy and write! Crystal Sargent
Thank you, Crystal, for your lovely words. I’m so glad this post spoke to you. Yes, we all need HOPE for the future.
This is one of your best postings, Bonnie. I am a fan.
Thank you, Judy! How nice to have fans. 🙂
Nicely written. San Miguel is a treasure. We have been here two-and-a-half years and still discover new everyday.
Thank you! Yes, I’ve been here nearly five years and am still joyfully discovering.
Wonderful Bonnie. Thank you for taking me on a walk through SMA. I miss it so much!
Thanks so much, querida Kim! And SMA misses you back! — xx
Bonnie you made me see that I need to get out and explore. Gracias
Kate
Gracias a ti, Kate. Yes, exploration is good medicine, I feel.
Fingers exploring.
Funny! 🙂
Hi BB, I love the Timos, personifying us struggling along, and the new big Frida with her mask! Bless the artists of SMA! One of the most creative towns!
Thanks, Steve! Yes, as you know, San Miguel is a sister city to Taos in terms of creativity.
Cuanta belleza. This is so beautiful. Linda la Fabrica La Aurora.
Gracias, querida Te! Wish you were here now, but I’m sure whenever you are able to come here Timo will still be at the Fabrica La Aurora. 🙂
My goodness, Bonnie, you are surrounded by creativity! That must bring a sense of optimism along with just the sheer pleasure of seeing people’s spirits manifested for all to share. I went on a walk in Taos today and noticed how many weeds there were! Of course it was still a gorgeous morning, but not a lot of outdoor creativity going on. I’m happy you’re in SMA!
Yes, this is a creative city, Be! Can’t wait for you to experience it in person. Maybe next year, fingers crossed?
Oh my gosh, I hope so!
Me too, Be! — xx
Thanks for the pictorial walk through San Miguel de Allende. I miss being there and your narrative accompanied by your lovely photos gave me the chance to talk a virtual walk with you through town. Thanks for that!
Linda
Thank YOU for your kind words, Linda. Let’s hope it won’t be long before you’ll be here taking in all the sights again.
Dear Bon,
It’s wonderful that by exploring your new neighborhood you are finding so many beautiful pieces of art. It seems there are so many independent outcroppings of art in SMDA!
Love,
Paul
Yes, Paul dear, and one of these years (soon!) I hope you’ll be able to come here and see it all in person. — xx