Hill, Laban Carrick. Casa Azul: an encounter with Frida Kahlo.HILL, Laban Carrick. Casa Azul: an encounter with Frida Kahlo Frida Kahlo[1](July 6, 1907 – July 13, 1954) was a Mexican painter, who has achieved great international popularity. She painted using vibrant colors in a style that was influenced by indigenous cultures of Mexico as well as European influences that include . Watson-Guptill. 147p. c2005. 0-8230-0411-2. $15.95. JSMaria and her brother Victor leave their home in the Mexican countryside and head to Mexico City Mexico City Spanish Ciudad de México City (pop., 2000: city, 8,605,239; 2003 metro. area est., 18,660,000), capital of Mexico. Located at an elevation of 7,350 ft (2,240 m), it is officially coterminous with the Federal District, which occupies 571 sq mi to find their mother after the death of their grandmother, who took care of them. Their adventures put them into the clutches of a con artist and they are taught the wiles wile n. 1. A stratagem or trick intended to deceive or ensnare. 2. A disarming or seductive manner, device, or procedure: the wiles of a skilled negotiator. 3. Trickery; cunning. of living on the street. It is a grim reality that contrasts with the world in Casa Azul, the home of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. In Casa Azul, monkeys talk to cats and pictures talk to skulls. The realm of magical realism magical realism n. A chiefly literary style or genre originating in Latin America that combines fantastic or dreamlike elements with realism. is explored through contrasting scenes in the streets with the fantasy in the home, but the grim reality of Kahlo is that she is depressed following her divorce and still in much physical pain from an earlier trolley car accident. (These details are from Kahlo's life.) Maria and Victor are wending their way to an encounter with Kahlo--the last-known address of their mother is next door to Casa Azul. Along the way Maria shares with her brother the story of El Corazon and El Diablo di·ab·lo adj. Diable. [Alteration (influenced by Spanish diablo, devil) of diable.] , two of the most well known Mexican wrestlers. It is her intention to have the good E1 Corazon win the match against the evil E1 Diablo, but as the children meet with Kahlo, Maria learns about the role that both good and evil play in life. In the end, the children find their mother, and Kahlo finds a measure of satisfaction that comes out in her paintings. Janis Flint Ferguson, Assoc. Prof., English, Gordon College There are three colleges named Gordon College:
J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers. S--Recommended for senior high school students. |
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