Crafts & Sports is a captivating series of spherical sculptures that seamlessly blend the spirit of soccer with Mexico's rich artisanal heritage. These handcrafted artworks utilize diverse, traditional Mexican techniques including Black Clay, Talavera, Jícara, and Copper, offering a transcendent visual experience that elevates beyond the everyday. By encapsulating both the fervor of soccer and deep cultural roots, these sculptures showcase the powerful convergence of creativity and skill when traditional and contemporary elements unite. This collection not only celebrates the art of the game but also highlights the intricate craftsmanship unique to Mexican culture, making it a must-see for art enthusiasts and soccer fans alike.
Client: adidas México.
Commissioned Artisans: Callejón Rodríguez, Gilberto Marcial, Matías Reyes, Talavera de la Reyna & Pentagono Art®.
Art Consulting: Pentagono Art®.
Architecture: Oxigeno Arquitectura.
Photography: Blanca Vera, Enrique Granados & Pentagono Art®.
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Inspired by the Telstar Adidas soccer ball, this fiery hammered copper ball celebrates Aztec strength and the mythology of the feathered serpent, showcasing the connection between sports, Mexican culture and art.
Artisans: Salvador Cázares & Sergio Rodríguez, Callejón Rodríguez.
Santa Clara del Cobre, Michoacán, 2024.
Ø 22 cms.
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This ball, shaped after the Azteca Mexico Adidas soccer ball, rises from the earth as a tribute to modernity and tradition. Sculpted in black clay, it embodies Mexican ancestral cosmos, symbolizing origin and evolution.
Artisan: Matías Reyes.
San Bartolo Coyotepec, Oaxaca, 2024.
Ø 22 cms.
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Inspired by the Azteca Mexico adidas soccer ball and crafted in engraved gourd, this sphere pays tribute to the unbreakable connection between Mesoamerican fauna and Mexican ballplayers' strength and skill. Each detail adds depth, making it a vibrant symbol of nature, history and human talent in the game.
Artisan: Gilberto Marcial
Oaxaca, 2024.
Ø 20 cms.
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Inspired by the Telstar, Adidas soccer ball, this cobalt blue ball adorned with geometric shapes celebrates Mexico's rich cultural heritage through the Talavera poblana technique. It reflects the spiritual connection of football with its ancestral legacy, turning it into a captivating artistic symbol.
Artisans: Alicia Ramírez & Ángel Nolasco.
Cholula, Puebla. 2024.
Ø 22 cms.
