Artist / Photographer of the Week - Nativity Collection of Minatures : Juan Aguilar

Miniature Nativities – A Collection from Around the World

 

Ines & Juan in front of the Nativity Grotto,

in Central Park, Guatemala City (2018)

The Miniature Nativities Collection of Ines and Juan Aguilar started in 1983. It now includes about 750 sets from about 72 countries, with figurines the size of a grain of rice to larger ones of a few inches. Most of them are handicrafts purchased in popular markets, bazaars, Christmas gift shops and churches, with a few commissioned to particular artisans. Juan was lucky to work for UNICEF for his entire professional life of almost 20 years, giving them the opportunity to travel and live in many different countries, where they hunted enthusiastically for such wonderful items. Their goal is to increase the number of countries represented in their collection.

Perhaps the most valuable pieces of the collection are miniature sets found in non-Christian countries such as Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Thailand. A variety of materials can be found, and includes seeds, egg shells from hen, pigeon and quail, silk worm cocoon, walnut, hazelnut, almond and pistachio shells, sea shells, wood, wool, glass, clay, stone, ceramic, plastic, matches, and metals such as silver, gold, brass, iron and even a geode.

Initially the collection was shown in their home, in the different countries where they lived, but also major exhibits were organized at the National Bank of Nicaragua, Managua (2002), the Ixchel Museum (2006), the National Cultural Palace (2009), and “Casa Ibarguen” (2015), in Guatemala City. A major event was the exhibit “The Nativity Groto” at the Christmas Festival organized by the Municipality of Guatemala City (2018), which was attended by thousands of visitors. These events have been covered extensively by the local press and television reports.

Ines is an Argentinean nutritionist and Juan a Guatemalan medical doctor, happily married for 49 years and presently living in Guatemala City; they have three children and seven grand-children, all of them living in the United States.