The Renaissance of Mata Ortiz

After purchasing three pieces of pottery in a secondhand store in Deming, NM, in 1976, anthropologist Spencer MacCallum became obsessed with the intricate delicacy of the items and tried to track down the creator. MacCallum's search took him to the isolated Mexican village of Mata Ortiz in the Chihuahuan Desert, where self-trained ceramics master Juan Quezada quietly turned out items designed for export to the U.S. MacCallum's support of Quezada's work eventually spurred Mata Ortiz's unlikely expansion into a thriving artist colony for Mexican potters. Scott Petersen's documentary winningly tells the tale of MacCallum's unlikely odyssey as an arts promoter (an endeavor that initially nearly drove him to financial ruin), and the film also provides a fascinating portrait of Quezada's equally unlikely rise to prominence—culminating with his receipt of an award from Mexico's president. The footage capturing the creation of Quezada's painstakingly precise designs is wonderful, and MacCallum and Quezada's accounts are compelling; but the film falters during the second half, when too much attention is paid to Diego Valles, a considerably less interesting young artist with a postmodern style. But up until that point, The Renaissance of Mata Ortiz offers a fascinating look at contemporary Mexican art and culture. A strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)