Alebrijes are a Mexican folk art with fantastical creatures often resembling figures from ancient mythology. The tradition began in Mexico City in the 1930s with Pedro Linares<\/a>, a cartonero who made pi\u00f1atas, carnival masks and other figures from paper.<\/p>\n According to the story passed down through the Linares family, Linares became seriously ill and, while unconscious with a high fever, dreamed of a strange forest filled with fantastical animals. The creatures \u2014 some combining parts of different animals \u2014 called out the word \u201calebrije.\u201d After recovering, Linares began recreating what he had seen using the cartoner\u00eda techniques he already knew.<\/p>\n Linares\u2019 creations eventually caught the attention of Mexican artists including Diego Rivera, who helped bring wider recognition to the art form. His original alebrijes were made from paper and paste, much like the creatures San Jose workshop participants have created.<\/p>\n The history of alebrijes is also central to Georgina Escobar\u2019s play, which reimagines the story of Linares and his fantastical creatures. The playwright said she wanted to incorporate Linares\u2019 art form into a story about loss, love and remembrance. The play is set in a fantastical version of Mexico and incorporates elements of D\u00eda de los Muertos.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to bring forward his art form,\u201d Escobar told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cEvery element you see in the play is meant to be created with community and made in the same way Pedro would have made his art.\u201d<\/p>\n Escobar said having residents create alebrijes is not simply a Teatro Vision addition to the production \u2014 it is part of the script itself.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was important for people to take part in the communal creation in order to truly understand the message of the play,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n For the workshop participants, however, the creatures are not simply replicas of traditional designs. They were asked to use a series of prompts to think about their own identities and translate those ideas into animals, colors and other elements of their creations.<\/p>\n Del Rio, a freelance costume designer and longtime Teatro Vision community member, combined several animals in her alebrije. A lion represents finding her voice, while wings symbolize freedom and the ability to escape danger. A fish came from a prompt about the elements and a bull represents acting more decisively.<\/p>\n The process has been new for Del Rio, who had never made an alebrije or worked with papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 before. She said seeing everyone\u2019s sculptures take shape has been one of the most inspiring parts of the workshop.<\/p>\n \u201cWe all just came here and there was nothing, and then all these beautiful creatures were born,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n San Jose resident Geri Hernandez, who has been making art since she was a child, said she sees her own experiences reflected in the creature she is creating. Her alebrije includes butterfly wings and a corgi.<\/p>\n \u201cTo me, the butterfly always represented my breathing, that I\u2019m breathing again,\u201d Hernandez told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight.<\/p>\n Hernandez, who received a lung transplant 10 years ago, said alebrijes are \u201cspirit animals\u201d and connects them with Mexican traditions surrounding death and the afterlife.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5948-scaled-e1790021182852-1024x827.jpeg\")
Geri Hernandez\u2019s completed alebrije. Photo courtesy of Teatro Vision.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_2284-1024x768.jpeg\")
Geri Hernandez, a retired architect, incorporated butterfly wings into her alebrije, which she said represents breathing again. Photo by Maryanne Casas-Perez.<\/p>\n
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