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From her childhood to her rise, Frida captured in her paintings the special love she felt for animals. Kahlo channeled her energy and emotion into her artworks and her many pets – monkeys, dogs, birds and a fawn – which lived at her home, Casa Azul (Blue House) in Coyoacán, Mexico City. Of her 143 paintings, 55 are self-portraits which feature her treasured animals. Her pets were faithful companions during difficult times, through sickness, moments of joy   and sorrow

In Mexican mythology, monkeys are symbols of lust, but Kahlo portrayed them as tender and protective symbols. Kahlo’s pet primates were a spider monkey named Fulang Chang (a gift from her husband) and another, Caimito de Guayabal. Guests visiting the home of Kahlo and Rivera would often be entertained by them, or Bonito, the Amazon parrot who would perform tricks at the table for rewards of pats of butter. At Casa Azul, Rivera constructed a small pyramid in the garden where her pets roamed around freely.

The dogs surrounding Frida Kahlo are Mexican dogs, also called Mexican naked dog or Xoloitzcuintle because of their lack of hair. Her first dog, called El Señor Xólotl is regularly present in her art.  Him,

is more than simply one of the artist’s favorite pets: it represents Xólotl, the form of a dog who guards the underworld and brings the soul of dead people to the spirit world.

This workshop is thought to teach boys and girls how Frida Kahlo embodied characteristics of each of her beloved pets in her self portraits, and to make them recognize, which type of animals they could embodied in their own personality?

A great exercise to recognize virtues and fortitudes inside of them, and learning  Mexican culture through this workshop. A colorful and fun activity to strengthen their self –esteem as well.

Duration: 2 hours

Portraying Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo a unique personality that can’t be ignored.  One of the most identifying elements she wore all her life, were flowers; she used them to embellish her persona and also in her paintings: “I paint flowers so they will not die.”  Mexican dresses and wearing pre-Columbian era jewelry were here fascination as well.

Crossing between self-portraiture and performing photography, the assistants will cast as Frida Kahlo, the Mexican artist known for her lush and surreal self-portraits. The result will be a record of a performative self-creation, and materialization of herself.

This workshop is thought for mother and daughter, or girls only, who want to immerse themselves into the personal world of Frida Kahlo. An homage to the great painter and simultaneously, an attempt to realize three female self-portraits through costumes, make up and feminine accessories.

By creating each assistant a personal flower headband and a necklace like Frida Kahlo’s, they will have a great artistic experience, sharing time mom and daughter.

Take the opportunity to impersonate the enigmatic artist and woman Frida Kahlo!

Duration: 2 hours