Mystery and poetry
In addition to cleaning the air, trees have other powers. One of them is to make the skin crawl. In Orizaba and its surroundings they inspire verses, intrigues and even fears.
ReadDamn beauty
This amate (Ficus insipida) grew attached to the walls of an abandoned convent and today is known as “The Devil's Tree.” Legend says that witchcraft and curse rituals were performed around it, based on the belief that the devil himself lives inside.
Friend, family and confidant
If the cursed amate invites more than one to flee, this jacaranda (Jacaranda mimisifolia) is the other extreme. Friend, family and confidant, under her shadow one seeks calm and strength. He survived injuries from a hurricane and also became an inspiration in the face of difficulties.
On the river bank (2021-04-04) by Lenin Suriano (fotógrafo) and Adolfo Vergara Mejía (participante)Colectivo Rokunin
Verses by the river
Almost lying on the mirror river, these poplars (Populus sp) inspired a poem about remembering and forgetting, learning and identity.
Memory-dismemory
Remember and forget
learning
mirror of life
symmetry
How far am I, how far am I not? memory-dismemory
forgetting so many, so many
everything is new
the pain, the joy
re-know re-travel
The habits remain certain ceremonial
Who is each one?
Legendary spirits
There are many arboreal presences with the power to stimulate the imagination. The residents claim that beneath this centuries-old ahuehuete (Taxodium mucronatum), a spirit appears. It is La Llorona, the central figure of one of the most famous legends in Mexico and Latin America
Connection with other worlds
The hollow trunk of this poplar (Populus sp) inspired another magical legend. They say it is a portal of connection with other worlds, where a young woman disappeared and returns every full moon in February.
Poplar Tree
Whether you have heard of this ghostly apparition or not, your pulse quickens when you peer into the bowels of the poplar tree.
Spiritual peace
The wind speaks among the leaves and moves the aroma that the resin gives off. The earth under the nails, the coolness of the shadow on the skin and, when you raise your eyes, the serene vision of the branches, the volcano in the background. Trees like this cedar (Cedrela odorata) give spiritual peace through the senses.
By the river (2021-04-05) by Maria Elene Plasencia (fotógrafa) and María Elena Plasencia García (participante)Colectivo Rokunin
Fairy tale postcard
Here is a small ceiba tree (Ceiba sp) with many admirers. In addition to seeing in it adaptation and strength to grow among the rocks, people marvel at this fantastic postcard, which seems straight out of an enchanted story.
Ceiba (2021-04-30) by Mark QuijanoColectivo Rokunin
This genus is distinguished by its great height (40 meters or more) and longevity (60 years or older). It stands out among the vegetation for its shadow and size.
This is one of six online exhibitions resulting from Colectivo Rokunin's 2021 Trees Project. With an open call in the central area of Veracruz, citizens were invited to share important trees in their lives. Thanks to the involvement of more than 80 people (almost 60 participants, in addition to the jury, photographers, designers and artists) these testimonies of the powerful bond that unites human beings and trees took shape.
Mystery and poetry
Tree Project, Rokunin Collective 2021, Veracruz, Mexico.
Text: Teresa Morte
Research: Norma Falcón and Itzel Mendoza
Copyediting: Alejandra Mendoza
Design: Alejandra Mendoza, Roberto González and Teresa Morte
Illustrations: Mark Quijano
Photographs: Lenin Suriano, Luis Díaz Barriga, Isabella Olmos, María Elena Plasencia and Jobo Lara
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
With the generous support of Suminstros Olcar
