Hotel Aaculaax
Projekt Arte - RecycleArte
With composting and plastic walls already underway at Aaculaax, we decided that there was still more we could do to help improve the local environment. The next step was obvious: recycling.
Our friend, artist Pathik Villatoro, had the interesting idea to create windows using broken glass, ceramics and papier mâché. For years, Pathik had worked with stained glass and felt the negative effects of working with lead. His newer creations using the papier mâché technique were as elegant as stained glass windows, but were nontoxic. At Aaculaax, Pathik was given the opportunity to unite papier mâché with glasswork, and that is how he became the father of a new art form.
Glass waste, all of which would have otherwise gone into the garbage, was collected from window-makers and glass shops around the lake. We also collected wine, beer and other glass bottles from friends and businesses in the community, giving us a great supply of working materials. Most glass is not recycled here in any way, reminding us again that we are living in a less developed part of the world. The only materials we had to buy for the RecycleArte project were glue and a glasscutter.
The first results were convincing: the windows were strong and beautiful. Soon, we had a group of volunteers interested in working with this new medium. After a short introduction, the volunteers each found their own projects, which fill the hotel to this day. This is how our Project Arte started and people are still welcome to get creative in our workshop. If you are interested, contact or visit us.
Papier mâché glasswork has become very popular here in San Marcos and RecycleArte windows can be seen in homes all over town. Many of our volunteers have taken this new medium with them and continue to create environmentally friendly windows and accessories back in their home countries.
