03/07/2010 18:17
So I've been working on a miniature hat to enter in the “Hat Works” contest. It has been interesting. First of all, I had to do some research on miniature hats. I really did not know where to start with this thing. There are all different kinds of miniature hats that have made their way in and out of fashion. After perusing google images and reading up on miniature hat history I found myself drawn to the miniature top hat. Veiled miniature top hats. Think burlesque. Steampunk fashion.
And now the twist… the contest has a theme. The hat has to embody a central market place. I thought about our local farmer’s market, which consists of about 10 tents set up with various farmers, gardeners, artisans selling things. Mostly berries. It is small, cute and viable in this rural town… but doesn’t leave a dent in your memory. Not like the markets of Chile.
There is nothing like the Mercado Centro in Concepción and the fish markets of Coquimbo and Valdivia. Don’t get me wrong, there are some fabulous markets in the US. But there is an honesty to the markets in Chile that you don’t see here. For example, Minneapolis has a visually stunning and fun farmer’s market, but it is not so local-- you can buy bananas there. The meat is USDA inspected (which is a good thing) and packaged like it would be at a supermarket. And like our little farmer’s market in Keene, it’s a weekend gig.
In Chile, it is an entirely different experience. Next to the select meat cuts sold for the bbq you will find lopped off sheep and goat heads for sale. 2 cabezas for 1500 pesos, which is about three bucks. Tripe, sweetbreads and chitlins galore. Flies included. There is no hiding anything. No red dyes to make the meat look fresh. It is what it is. And every day of the week. The fish markets will catch your eyes and your nose. Piles of fish (all shades of grey), crabs, mussels and other sea creatures that I have never seen before. Hardy looking men and women selling seafood Ceviche in plastic cups for breakfast. The wharfs are visible from both fish markets . Fishing boats of yellow, green and red are lined up waiting for tomorrow’s catch. And lastly, lots of happy cats lounging about.
Here is my sketch of what I think this thing should look like. Fish tails, crab legs, colored beads to represent the ceviche and fishnet on a mini top hat…
Tags: hats, steampunk
