What is Tlacuilo

 Tlacuilo is nahuatl word for both “one who writes” and “one who paints.” With this understanding we can identify that in today’s language that a tlacuilo is both an artist and a scribe. To be a tlacuilo was an important and learned role where training began as children in the Calmecac (schools). This interdisciplinary role was highly regarded in early Mexica culture. In our Western influenced world we can hardly imagine this duality. But tlacuilos were skilled artists/scribes that could read society and or offer their interpretations via their artistic work in writing. Tlacuilo joint website seeks to feature interdisciplinary projects that reflect similar value systems. Explore the site. Interact. Dialogue. Contribute.

When I was a child listening to vinyl albums was a social activity, where we passed around the vinyl, looked at the artwork and read the lyrics. This was done collectively with family or friends, at a time where people were intentional about listening to entire songs, sides or sections of albums. We don’t really interact with music the same way. In the world of streaming there have been attempts to get folks to interact extensively but it is usually to buy merch or tickets or turn you on to a similar artists, which I admit has had its benefits. But today’s ways of listening to music fails to connect us in the same ways. It fails to connect us as intimate community. In the record industry an album has a life cycle. As a songwriter and music nerd turned academic, I often wonder how to instigate more lifeform, space and depth of dialogue when it comes to an album. The resurgence of vinyl has been a hopeful turn and quite inspirational to watch. For although it is yet another product industry has dusted off to get us to buy, it nevertheless revives the social dynamics that come with it. Furthermore, the vinyl album “exhije, ”or is demanding of you, for it is interactive. That is to say that when side “A” has ended it requires you to get up off your ass, walk over to the record player, carefully lift the needle, flip the album around while making sure you don’t put your fingerprints on it and start side “B”. In other words, you must engage.

The Tlacuilo Joint website is looking to do the same.

Like all working people musicians also labor. From inspiration to the finished sound recording this website is meant to highlight every step. We want to share the many spiritual and intellectual parts that go into sonic creative labor. Once you purchase an album please visit and explore this website (we hope you do). It will give you more information about the album, the songs and the inspiration behind them. If you are an educator, you might also be interested in the lesson plans we provide here by leading scholars and k-12 teachers. The point is we want to demonstrate the depth to which we have curated our sonic creative work and how it might intersect with other artists, literature or creative work. Because in the end, we believe that a song is not just a song. It is a material trace of a people’s history. As educators and organizers, we are invested in building critical dialogue in any and all spaces including the virtual ones.

 So, there you have it. Just a little tlacuilo thought and intellectual joint for the mind and ears.

 Forever below and to the left.

— Martha from Quetzal del Este de Los Angeles