Alfonso
Arámbula Unveils Another Sculpture—
Rocinante
Joins Don Quijote in Ensenada
text
& photos by connie ellig
More than 150 relatives, friends, well-wishers, political personages, media
and curious passersby gathered on the corner of Ensenada’s Av. Guadalupe
& Calle 2 for the inauguration of Alfonso
Arámbula Robles’ newest sculpture, “El Rocinante.”
Although the 11-foot metal horse had been installed two days earlier in
its permanent position on the “Esquina de la Democracia,” former Ensenada
Mayor Jesús del Palacio officially unveiled it on the evening of
November 11, 2006.
The body of the equine figure is constructed from iron boat chains that
were donated by Yukio Nishikawa, a member of the Japanese Association of
Ensenada. The horse’s head is an oval rock; the mane consists of wood branches;
the saddle is heavy aluminum mesh; the tail is formed from welded wire
wands of stars and planets.
 “El
Rocinante” is the second in a series of sculptures of Cervantes characters
that Ensenada-born artist Alfonso Arámbula Robles is donating to
the city. The first, “El Quijote de la Mancha,” was stationed on the “Esquina
de la Democracia” in March 2006. Other sculptures that will eventually
be added to this urban art corridor include Sancho Panza and his burro,
Rucio, and a windmill.
The inauguration of “El Rocinante” also commemorated the anniversary
of the death of Alfonso’s father, Don Alfonso Arámbula Licón.
As a tribute, several guests read original poetry and others performed
world songs. Known as “Ensenada’s Singing Sculptor,” Alfonso presented
a spellbinding version of “O Sole Mio” and several traffic-stopping Mexican
boleros, and was later joined by family members and friends for a grand
finale of song. It was a truly wondrous evening and a joyous celebration
of life.
Views
of “El Rocinante” and “El Quijote de la Mancha”
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Alfonso
Arámbula Unveils Two New Sculptures
text
& photos by connie ellig
On the afternoon of March 21, local artist Alfonso
Arámbula unveiled two new sculptures in Ensenada.
Nearly 100 friends and relatives from both sides of the border were present
as “Sancho Panza” and his burro, “Rucio,” joined “El Quijote de la Mancha”
and his horse, “El Rocinante,” on the “Esquina de la Democracia” on the
corner of Av. Guadalupe and Calle 2.
As a tribute to Ensenada’s status as the Wine Country of Mexico, Arámbula
fashioned the bodies of the two sculptures, which are mounted on steel
structures, from 200-liter wine barrels that were donated by David Bibayoff,
owner of Bodegas Valle de Guadalupe. The heads of the two figures are oval
rocks; Sancho Panza sports a sombrero formed of wire mesh. Rucio’s reins
are made of iron boat chains that were donated by Yukio Nishikawa, a member
of the Japanese Association of Ensenada. The burro wears an old leather
saddle and stirrups that were originally used by local horse rental handlers.
Guests enjoyed live music and poetry readings, and explored the exhibitions
that had been set up by the Seminario de Historia de Baja California, the
Casa de la Cultura, the Instituto Politécnico Nacional, and the
Secretaría de Marina, among others. The afternoon of art, music
and friendship was the perfect celebration of the first day of spring and
the birthday of Mexican hero Benito Juárez.
Views
of “Rucio" and "Sancho Panza"
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See related story “Ensenada’s
Singing Sculptor and his Baby Art Shower”
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