The exhibition “Daily Life: The Importance of Mexican Agrobiodiversity” is set to open today at 12 noon in the Dahlia forum of the Botanical Garden of the Institute of Biology (IB) at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. This exhibition highlights the significance of objects of agricultural diversity in everyday life, showcasing items that were once essential for daily tasks but are now appreciated as crafts or decorations.
The purpose of this exhibition is to broaden our perspective on agrobiodiversity beyond staples like corn, beans, and pumpkin. It aims to showcase how agricultural diversity influences various aspects of life, from clothing and tools to food and healing practices. The exhibition includes a section dedicated to jewelry made from natural materials like flowers, corn, and palm, as well as basketry, huipils, and medicinal plants.
Visitors can explore over 400 pieces in the exhibition and see items like an Ixtle shirgo cape made from the leaves of Yucca filifera, a mule suadero protector for pack animals, and a unique honey box. They can also see a coffee pulper, indigenous emperor chairs, and fishermen’s traps with clever designs. Through these items, visitors can reflect on the use of natural resources and the impact of industrialization on the environment.
This exhibition serves as a reminder that preserving traditional practices and natural elements is crucial for avoiding pollution and excessive use of plastics. By exploring these items, visitors can connect with nature and appreciate the ingenuity of utilizing natural resources for everyday products. The exhibition was curated with expertise from ethnobotanist Leonardo Beltrán Rodríguez and Salma Gómez Ibarra from the educational area of the Institute of Biology. Visitors are invited to explore Mexican agrobiodiversity’s rich history and its essential role in everyday life.
In conclusion, this exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to learn about Mexican agrobiodiversity’s importance in daily life while appreciating its beauty as artifacts or decorative pieces. The exhibit’s aim is to provide an insight into how agriculture has influenced various aspects of human life over time while highlighting its relevance today.
Visitors will have access to over 400 pieces that were once essential parts of people’s daily lives but are now recognized as crafts or decorations. They will also gain knowledge about how these objects played a role in different aspects such as food production, clothing design, toolmaking etc., making it easier for them to understand how nature has been used throughout history.
The curation team comprised experts from different fields who have worked together to create an exhibit that not only educates but also entertains visitors by showcasing some rare artifacts that might be new to them.
Overall, this exhibition serves as a reminder that we should cherish our natural resources while using them wisely without causing harm or damage to our environment.