Jesus Barrientos Mora Time: 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Price: FREE
Check-in: 9:00–9:45 AM
Mexican Blackletter evolved as a unique typographic tradition that blends European influences with local creativity. Spanish explorers introduced blackletter to the Americas during the 16th century through manuscripts and printed materials; by the 20th century, influences such as lettering manuals and cholo graffiti culture hybridised the style, shifting it from formal and ecclesiastical contexts to vibrant street art. Cities like Puebla and Tlaxcala showcase this post-modern Mexican Blackletter, a fusion of ancient and modern, rural and urban, reflecting a fascinating ability to adapt and reinterpret visual traditions.
In this workshop, we will get our hands deep into the savoury darkness of five styles of Mexican urban Gothic lettering: Mazate (an italic textura), Victoria (a condensed rotunda), Morenita (a rounded Schwabacher), Montellano (a stiffed fraktur), and Retazo (a reversed-italic bastarda). We will work with flat brushes, optionally with broad square nibs and calligraphy markers, and plenty of black ink.
This is part of the experimental phase of the Pueblackletter research project and is open to anyone interested in calligraphy, regardless of their previous calligraphic experience.