Brooke Keogh

Pulque Fest

This month, throw yourself into the world of the ancient mexican drink - Pulque - at our immersive photographic exhibition experience. A little different to our previous art events, this one is a multi-faceted experience where you not only get to view the art, but also learn and interact with the subject.

During four days of fun, we’re joining forces with Brooke Keogh, who’s photographic journeys to the smallest state in Mexico - Tlaxcala, has found her observing and learning about the ancient process of Pulque production.

Renowned for its nutritional benefits as well as its recreational ones, the alcoholic beverage comes from the sweet nectar found in the heart of specific Agave plants. The preparation of these plants take over a decade before the nectar is ready to be extracted, before it can be harvested and consumed.

Learn about the process of Pulque and its uses whilst Brooke talks and walks us through her journey. Come drink and learn about this unique beverage and then try it for yourself at the RoOf Sunset Bar!

Purchase Art from 400­­ - 450,- USD for Prints.
Canvas: 500 USD.

 

 Chapter 1: Pulque extraction

4. Guillermo y el maguey Ayuteco

4. Guillermo y el Maguey Ayuteco - The Ayuteco is the species of Maguey that grows to be the largest of them all. The flavor of this particular Ayuteco - its pulque - was rich, herbaceous and complex. 25. Mountain Dew - at dawn and dusk the nectar of the maguey is extracted by the tlachiquerx. 8. Nopalito - As the Mayans have the milpa, the people of Tlaxcala call the ecosystem of the maguey: the metepantle. The Nopal is an important part of the metepantle. 11. Los Herramientas de Lorenzo - Lorenzo, the acocote and the raspador. 14. Serviendo el Aguamiel - the nectar of the agave is extracted by the Tlachiquero using their tools, like coffee it will taste different depending on altitude, rain and the minerals in the soil. 19. Aguamiel en el Corazón - when scraped back, a sweet liquid - aguamiel - bleeds from the heart of the plant. This is fermented and becomes pulque. 10. El Raspador - The raspador is one of the few simple tools used by Tlachiquerxs to prepare the heart of the maguey and extract its aguamiel. 6. Gota de Aguamiel - When visiting Lorenzo in Temezontla, a droplet of aguamiel in the morning sun. 21. Magueyes de Xocoyuca - Magueyes painted with the light of the afternoon sun.

 Chapter 2: Insights

2. Daira & Manchas

2. Daira & Manchas - Daira had found a kitten, she immediately adopted it and called it Manchas (patch in English). Behind her, around the corner, her brothers built a small brick hut for Manchas. 7. Casa - an observation of curious windows and pink hues at dusk. 18. Abuelo Celedonio y su acocote - the traditional acocote is made from a pumpkin. It is pierced with one hole on the top, another on the bottom. It is placed in the heart of the maguey plant, where the aguamiel collects. The liquid is sucked up into the pumpkin, then taken to ferment. 27. Calles de Temezontla - dusty red and teal grey in the mountain pueblo of Temezontla. 24. La Medicina - the curious balance of too much or too little; the remedy and the poison. 13. Sincretismo - the fusion of different beliefs is an act of resistance, or no? 5. La Cruz - in honor of the wonders of syncretism. 12. The Pumpking Shack at Agrosol - A small shack at Rancho Agrosol, Veracruz. Agrosol is an educational farm, where people come to study permaculture practices and techniques.

 Chapter 3: Nocturnal harvest

3. Moonrise over Xocoyuca

3. Moonrise over Xocoyuca - A vibrant full moon, rising in a dark violet sky, over Rancho Los Morales, Xocoyuca. 22. Andy & Emiliano - A mother’s milk; leche del maguey. 9. Tunas de Nopal - The fruit of the nopal is sweet and delicious. 15. El Popocatépetl - on a clear day high in the mountains of Temezontla, with a view of the active volcano El Popocatepetl. 23. El Abuelo Pablo - Pablo Reyes Salamanca is a silent revolutionary, a pioneer and a friend. He has educated hundreds and thousands of farmers in sustainable practices and continues to be gatekeeper of Chichimeca traditions and knowledge. 20. Maguey Dreaming - we dream a time of an ancestral beginning; an abstract homage to aboriginal cosmovision. 17. La Tlachiquera - Few women elaborate pulque. Aurea’s husband lost his vision and, with her daughter Soledad, they now tend to their metepantle and their magueyes. 26. Raspando Xatle - Xatle is the flesh of the maguey heart, it must be scraped back in order for the nectar to bleed. 16. Faustino en los Magueyes de Rancho Los Morales - Faustino deep in the Maguey at dusk, Rancho Los Morales.

 

Schedule

Jueves 21 April ———

  • Inauguration of the documentary photography exhibition about the elaboration of PULQUE by Brooke Keogh

  • Sunset Session with funk and jazz trio Leclee (RoOf) 6:00PM - 8:00PM

Viernes 22 April ———

  • Sunset Tour of the exhibition and Pulque Tasting 7:00PM

Sabado 23 April ———

  • Sunset Tour of the exhibition and RoOf Pulque Tasting 7:00PM

Domingo 24 April ———

  • Fun in the Sun ☀️ 1-4PM with beach barbacoa + grooves and sounds by Off Silence (beach side)

  • Sunset Session Soundscapes by Mundoo 6:00PM - 8:00PM (RoOf)