Journal (Intimate landscapes from Mexico) By René Serrano

The last Farmer from my city 2014

Día de los muertos 

Pátzcuaro, Arocutín. Michoacán, México

02 November (2001, 2017)

Mexico is known for its numerous special holidays.

But one of its most famous events is the so-called Dia de los Muertos, which means “Day of the Dead” in English. Every year on November 2 is celebrated "the day of the dead" in the lake region of the state of Michoacan in Mexico.

Here is one of the best places in Mexico to live this ancient tradition of pre-Hispanic origins. The dead that come back that night to the cemeteries are happy to share the meals and drink Mezcal with the living.

"Arts from  Sierra Tarahumara “ 2015

Divisadero, Chihuahua, México 

Barrancas del Cobre is a mountainous region in northern Mexico where the indigenous Tarahumara population settled long ago. Tarahumara or Rarámuri; "The one with light feet" was the theme of my visit to this place to observe this environment where the rocks seem to touch the sky.

For the majority of indigenous people in the Sierra Tarahumara Mexico the situation is precarious. This beautiful ethnic culture, so important in the history of México, most of the times lives behind in matters of education and basic support. 

Woman Cooking 2017

Zirahuen, Michoacán, México

Zirahuén (In the language Purépecha Ts'irauani, "deep water place").

A lone figure standing on the shore of a tranquil lake, surrounded by the lush greenery of the Michoacán countryside.

The image captures the tranquility and peacefulness of the rural landscape, reminding us of the beauty that can be found in simplicity.

Mezcal Farmers. 2015

Mayan heritage. 2018

Lacanjá and Yaxchilán, Lacandona Jungle, Chiapas, México

Lacanjá is a Lacandona community located in a biosphere reserve and close to the Bonampak Archaeological Zone in the southeast of Mexico. With innumerable waterfalls and rivers, the Lacandona jungle is inhabited by the Mayan descendants of the Lacandones ethnic group who still preserve their traditions.

The Lacandona jungle is one of the most representative places of nature in Mexico. The trees can measure up to 60 meters in height and support the development of fauna as well as ferns, orchids and countless other plant species.

Harvest Tales  *AB 2015

San Pedro de los Pozos, Guanajuato, México

It was not until after a Pandemic that today we look at the field where our food is produced. For some, an unimportant field and also forgetting our sisters and brothers who bring life to the table.

There where it seems that they have been forgotten by our cities and rulers: the earth does not give up to remind us where each bean, each fish and also each liter of Wine comes from.

The time seems distant when native and old continent harvesting techniques were mixed, but until today we continue to work every day from the fields, from the lakes until reaching the market and from there reaching our cities.

"The endless river" 2015

Lago de Pátzcuaro e Islas. Michoacán, México

Michoacán is the locality where i live now. The name of the state is from the word Michuaque which means “People that have water” in an indigenous language.

Today the basin of Lake Pátzcuaro in Michoacán is already shallow, fifteen years ago it would have been around 20 or 10 km. The lake is 60% polluted and today two of the nine islands are no longer polluted due to their shallow depth.

The contamination of the lake is due in large part to the variety of organic and inorganic wastes attacking the fauna and endangered species.

“Mezcal Farmer from Michoacán”

“Mezcal Farmers" 2015

Tlacolula, Mitla, Oaxaca. México.

Who sell the Mezcal !!! ??

Tlacolula is a small town in Oaxaca and near from the archaeological zone of Mitla.

Tlacolula houses one of the most famous markets in the country; spices, liquors, fabrics, food...

Mezcal Farmers

Mitla, Oaxaca, México 2016

The Mexican state of Oaxaca is the largest producer of Mezcal in the world. The Mezcal; an artisan drink, it is not confirmed as a distilled drink before the Spanish conquest but it is one of the most preferred by Mexicans.

Early in the morning the Mezcal is made by hand by small producers in relation to industrial manufacturers of dubious flavor.

"Cacao Farmers from the jungle"

Lacandona Jungle, Chiapas, Mexico. 2016

Agua perla is a Cacaotera community in the Lacandon Jungle of Chiapas on the banks of the Jataté River.

Many kilometers of dirt roads and river crossings to reach this beautiful place. The kindness of these people is incredible, as is the great security that you feel when you can go for a walk at dawn with the only risk of meeting a jaguar typical of the area.

"Girl from La llorona"

Ceremonial message 2016

Zinacantán, Chiapas, México 

At the top of the indigenous Tzotzil area in southern Mexico, Zinacantán, Chiapas, year after year religious rituals have been celebrated, probably since 1500. 

Celebration in the Town of Pozos. 2015

Mineral de Pozos, Guanajuato, México

An image of the national holiday of September 16 in the streets of San Pedro de los Pozos.

Our main model and also organizer within the Mexican national holiday prepares his daughter "La Reina" for the parade on this beautiful morning in this so-called ghost town.

The fame of Mineral de Pozos and its production accelerated from 1880 to 1888. During these years numerous companies were formed that exploited the mines abundantly.

New Rituals 2014