Frida's Wings

November 20 2023 Day 20

A recent stop at a new downtown Mexican restaurant put me back into the mind of a ten week project we undertook back during the pandemic. The restaurant is called Alas de Frida, or Wings of Frida, and it’s pretty darn good.

Back when we were stuck at home, we did a weekly art lesson where we not only learned about an artist, but cosplayed them as well. Art. Dress up. What more could a six year old ask for?

One of her favorites was Frida Kahlo. Her auntie had bought her a Frida doll, which she still has. She’s still a fan, though as she gets older she’s becoming more aware of the darkness behind Frida’s colorful and energetic work.

The name of the restaurant and the big bold quote at the door refers to a moment of strength in Frida’s life that’s difficult to imagine. The quote is “Feet, why do I need you, if I have wings to fly.”

Frida’s childhood polio eventually led to the amputation of one of her feet and the quote was found in her diary after her death. She had found other way to fly, her art and her words.

After our meal, Little Bean and I browsed a hall in the restaurant full of various quotes and paintings about Frida. She remembers parts of our week long lesson, in particular her momma drawing on her Frida eyebrows.

We all have wings, I suppose, though sometimes they are hidden. But any art is about breaking down emotional (and sometimes physical) barriers.

Later that evening, my daughter spreads out these tiny plastic bead kits. The idea is to create an image from the beads, then you literally iron and melt the beads into a colorful plastic tchotchke. We’re heading to visit my nephews next week, so Little Bean built each of them one of their favorite things, a football and a basketball.

What better art is there than art for others. Maybe Frida would approve.

We know that many of you were following along back when we were doing these creations. But let us know if you’d like us to make a post with all ten of them here again. We’d be happy to do so!