Description
Agave dates back to the Aztec civilization as an important crop in Mexico. Since the 1600s, the people of western Mexico have cultivated blue agave from the red volcanic soil that blankets the region, to make what we know as tequila. The Spirit of Tequila celebrates the tradition, culture, and myth of this iconic drink. Joel Salcido traveled across the state of Jalisco capturing images of distilleries and artisanal tequileras, including blue agave fields at sunset, the agave's pineapple-like centers (pinas), elegantly shadowed barrel rooms (anejos), and, of course, the agave farmers themselves.
Nearly ninety photographs, taken with a medium format camera-some in full-color, some in duotone-reveal not only the tequila making process but also the region's traditions of culture and religion. Haunting and beautiful, a church spire is juxtaposed with a firework celebration in honor of the Virgen de Guadalupe. A Mexican charro rides through the streets of Arandas. Near Atotonilco, a horse pulls a traditional plow through the fields to irrigate. Exploring the rooms and techniques hidden in the distilleries of legendary tequilas Herradura, Sauza, Jose Cuervo, Don Julio, and others, The Spirit of Tequila celebrates a craft that is rooted deep in the culture of Mexico.
About the Author
Joel Salcido grew up with one foot in Mexico and the other in the United States, straddling two languages and two cultures. His images appear in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the El Paso Museum of Art, the Harry Ransom Humanities Center at UT Austin, and the Wittliff Collections at Texas State University. Additional acquisitions have been made by the Federal Reserve Bank, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and University of International Business and Economics in Beijing. The image Atotonilco El Alto, from this book, was recently inducted into Mexico's National Art Heritage Series. Salcido lives in Austin, Texas.
Reviews
"Poetic... a beautiful book." - Texas Standard - Texas Public Radio "Ideal as a coffee-table book, this stunning hardcover makes for a great gift, along with a bottle of tequila." - Liquor.com
Awards
Winner of Finalist Texas Institute of Letters - Best Book Design and PubWest Book Design Award, Gold - Photography 2018.
Book Information
ISBN 9781595348234
Author Joel Salcido
Format Hardback
Page Count 128
Imprint Trinity University Press,U.S.
Publisher Trinity University Press,U.S.
Nearly ninety photographs, taken with a medium format camera-some in full-color, some in duotone-reveal not only the tequila making process but also the region's traditions of culture and religion. Haunting and beautiful, a church spire is juxtaposed with a firework celebration in honor of the Virgen de Guadalupe. A Mexican charro rides through the streets of Arandas. Near Atotonilco, a horse pulls a traditional plow through the fields to irrigate. Exploring the rooms and techniques hidden in the distilleries of legendary tequilas Herradura, Sauza, Jose Cuervo, Don Julio, and others, The Spirit of Tequila celebrates a craft that is rooted deep in the culture of Mexico.
About the Author
Joel Salcido grew up with one foot in Mexico and the other in the United States, straddling two languages and two cultures. His images appear in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the El Paso Museum of Art, the Harry Ransom Humanities Center at UT Austin, and the Wittliff Collections at Texas State University. Additional acquisitions have been made by the Federal Reserve Bank, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and University of International Business and Economics in Beijing. The image Atotonilco El Alto, from this book, was recently inducted into Mexico's National Art Heritage Series. Salcido lives in Austin, Texas.
Reviews
"Poetic... a beautiful book." - Texas Standard - Texas Public Radio "Ideal as a coffee-table book, this stunning hardcover makes for a great gift, along with a bottle of tequila." - Liquor.com
Awards
Winner of Finalist Texas Institute of Letters - Best Book Design and PubWest Book Design Award, Gold - Photography 2018.
Book Information
ISBN 9781595348234
Author Joel Salcido
Format Hardback
Page Count 128
Imprint Trinity University Press,U.S.
Publisher Trinity University Press,U.S.
