Iyapokatzin; the venerable tobacco smoke, is a collaborative joining of bodily research and desires for a ceremony by Izayo Mazehualli and Marcela Torres. Together Mazehualli and Torres reflect on Mexican Toltec knowledge and Azteka-Chichimeka dance forms, then traverse into Folklorico movement in relation to Revolutionary-era traditionalism. The temporal space we create calls in our natural ancestors who help nourish us: tobacco, fire and smoke. Iyapokatzin; the venerable tobacco smoke premiered over three performances from September-October 2022. Two performances took place in Chicago at El Paseo Community Garden in Pilsen and the Malinalli Garden, a renovated garden in Little Village supported by Mas Maiz Native Land Project and Universidad Popular. A third performance occurred at Franconia Sculpture Park in Minneapolis.
