What I Learned from Maria Martinez
As I write, I’m sitting in a hotel on the Rio Grande Road in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The last four days I immersed myself in a variety of studies including the history of Conversos and Crypto Jews of Albuquerque, Contemporary Native American Art, and history of the Pueblo people of New Mexico.
While visiting the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, I paused to watch a 27 minute video about Maria Martinez, a noted Pueblo potter from San Ildefonso. The video produced by the National Park Service is quite old but the footage is timeless- a demonstration of traditional pottery- making techniques.
Vintage Maria Martinez Black on Black Pueblo Pottery Piece
Traditional Pottery Making
Maria gathers her sacred corn as she walks on the open land, spreading the kernels and praying to the spirits that her offering will bring her the clay and sand she needs to make her pottery. As she kneels on the ground, she gathers clay dirt and blue sand. First they are separate but then she mixes the sand with the dirt, and continues to mix. She then adds water, but she is careful…too much water will make it too difficult to work with the clay but too little water will create cracks. Once she finds her balance, she kneads the clay and works at removing any bubbles, making the clay smooth. Once her block or piece of clay is the correct consistency she allows it to sit for a day. The following day she begins the process of constructing her pot by sectioning pieces and rolling out ropes. The ropes become the foundation for her pot.
The film continued to describe the firing of the pots, which require much detail, precision, and attention to weather. The pots are completely covered with cow dung during the firing, and no one knows how the pots will look when fully fired. A cool draft may create a crack or there may be broken pieces. Maria’s son, also a potter, talks about the suspense when uncovering the pots. The narrator states that although the pots have become quite expensive and in demand, it is the pride of workmanship and creating something of lasting beauty that truly motivates the potter.
The final pots are beautiful and a product of a transformation completely hand crafted.
Making homemade bagels.
I see so many similarities between the artistry of pottery making and my bagel making. While watching the film the clay became flour, the sand became yeast. There I was measuring the water, trying to find the balance so I can knead the dough. I see the finished dough relaxing only to be portioned out later. And then I make ropes and ropes become bagels. But I’m not even close to completion. I cover the bagels and leave them overnight, not knowing what I will find the next day, but hoping they are ready for boiling. And again, I need the right temperature, the right environment, and right heat so they don’t flatten. Once into the oven, I will find out whether they were properly proofed or whether they flatten or perhaps expand more than I would like. Again, it is only at the end of the process that I see the result of my labor.
When Maria and her son uncovered her exquisite black clay pots from under the cow dung I saw the remarkable transformation and felt the intense human energy in relationship to all the earth elements. Amazing!
At the end of the process I too take pride in the bagels that look beautiful. Unlike Maria, I am not looking for lasting beauty, but I am looking for a product that will give people a lasting experience of a delicious bagel.
And what did I learn from Maria Martinez? A greater appreciation for bakers and artisans who use their hands and imagination to transform the world around us.
To view the documentary about Maria Martinez, please follow this link.
