by Emma Nelson, Communications Assistant
Recently, LACIS was pleased to host Alejandro Jimenez Molina and Carolyn Kallenborn as Spring Artists-in-Residence from April 20th through May 2nd. Alejandro Jimenez Molina– Mexican sculptor, puppeteer, and actor– alongside Carolyn Kallenborn– artist, documentarian, and UW-Madison emeritus professor– led and participated in numerous activities in the Madison area throughout their residency. Alejandro and Carolyn traveled from Oaxaca, Mexico, for an action-packed residency to share their collaborative works.
Molina and Kallenborn hosted workshops, puppet shows, and presentations during their residency, engaging with individuals of all ages. In Oaxaca, Alejandro and Carolyn coordinate countless workshops and are extremely excited for their upcoming partnership with the Museo de Filatelia de Oaxaca (Oaxaca Stamp Museum). The museum is welcoming a new exhibition on cats and dogs. To celebrate the new exhibition, Alejandro and Carolyn will be hosting a puppet-making workshop. Progress has already begun as Alejandro has cut wood to prepare for the puppet creation, and children will then paint the faces on the dog and cat puppets, connecting to the theme of the museum, as the children will write letters with a stamp, indicative of the dog and cat exhibition in the museum.
A notable part of their residency was the presentation at the LACIS Lunchtime Lecture series on April 21st. Alejandro and Carolyn shared the story of 20th-century Mexican painter Rufino Tamayo in their show titled Un Titere de Sangre Zapoteca. Beyond the performance, Alejandro and Carolyn offered insights into the evolution of the puppets and sets, and the processes of bringing their ideas to life in such a wondrous way.
Furthermore, Carolyn and Alejandro engaged in activities at Midvale Elementary, Centro Hispano, and the Madison Children’s Museum. A performance given at the Madison Children’s Museum was best described and best encapsulated by attendee Bird Ross, “The audience was full of curious kids and their adult chaperones. The kids were sooooo curious, and the adults were delighted! It was great to have the opportunity to see such a thorough and beautiful production of stories and history told completely by puppets”.
These performances were far more than just a delightful and fun experience; Carolyn and Alejandro spoke to how they are rooted in Oaxacan culture but relevant and important to much more than just Latino culture. In our discussion, Alejandro noted that an essential part of Oaxacan culture is tied to the work of the hands, as a form of their own language and meaning. This was highlighted in the creation of the puppets as the feet and hands of each puppet were extremely detailed and different, highlighting personality and developing the story further.
Puppetmaking and storytelling through this art form go far beyond the pieces themselves, but the hands create the story and the pieces. Carolyn discussed the importance of “understanding the world through your hands” and the form of intelligence that comes from this as we touch and create. The work of the hands by Alejandro and Carolyn creates more than just a beautiful and wondrous piece of art, but an opportunity for people of different cultures, backgrounds, and regions to come together and connect due to the humor, visual play, richness, and appreciation of the artwork that all who watch find in the performances. Throughout their residency, Alejandro and Carolyn connected with a diverse group of people by telling the story of Tamayo in a fun yet powerful way.
The presentations given by Carolyn and Alejandro were far more than a history lesson, but offered something “larger than ourselves”. Tamayo was an Oaxacan artist who emphasized humanism through art, connecting to the universe, and Alejandro and Carolyn portrayed his story through their own art form, not solely out of interest in history, but a personal connection. Alejandro and Carolyn spoke to the importance of this opportunity and residency in not only engaging with new audiences but also the opportunity to engage with residents of the U.S. on something that we are missing. Carolyn and Alejandro valued the experience tremendously, speaking about how it is truly different to know and understand a place and people when you incorporate activities such as the workshops they coordinated throughout their residency.
Carolyn and Alejandro emphasized the importance of this residency in ties to their work and the learning opportunities it provides not only to those they interact with and engage with, but also allows them to grow as artists in their work. Alejandro and Carolyn look forward to creating more shows and a future ahead of learning and engagement.
If you would like to see Alejandro and Carolyn in a workshop or presentation in the near future, their upcoming events are as follows:
Keep up with what Carolyn and Alejandro are up to here!
Facebook:
Alejandro Jimenez Moli
Instagram:
Alejandrojimenezmoli
Carolynkallenborn
Linktree:
If interested in participating in some of Carolyn and Alejandro’s upcoming events, check out the links below!
Links to the cultural tours in Oaxaca:
Cultural Tours in Oaxaca, August 2026 and February 2027
Cultural Tours in Oaxaca, October 2026 and January 2027
Check out an artist talk about:
Collaborative Exhibition
The residency was co-sponsored by the UW-Madison Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies Program, Centro Hispano, UW-Madison Institute for Regional and International Studies NRC, and the UW-Madison International Division.