Weaving. Verb,
1. To compose a connected whole by combining various elements or details.
2. To be or become formed or composed from the interlacing of materials or combining of various elements: she is weaving yarn into fabric.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
From the very beginning of the Always Becoming project, there has been a strong presence of people participation. People's support, their various expertise and cooperation formed not only group collaboration and investment, but community. Through the interviews we've been conducting, it's become apparent that the idea of collaboration and community has become a central theme in the film. And as the Always Becoming project morphs into a film, the thread weaving through the concept of Always Becoming has created a strong and dynamic fabric that examples our ability to work together, share information and develop ideas.
When the trip to Obregón, Mexico inched closer, translating and transcribing became important. It was clear that the perfect solution was to find someone who would travel with us into Mexico to act as a translator and upon our return, could help transcribe with an understanding of the film's vision. I approached Bethany McGee, a native Santa Fean who teaches an English as a Second language (ESL) course in Santa Fe to join us on our trip to Mexico. Lucky for us Bethany agreed to come on the trip and help out. Bethany's services in Mexico proved to be of great importance, she conducted both interviews with Don Juan and Juanita Morales and translated for us during the entire trip.
Upon our return Bethany suggested her ESL class transcribe the interviews For us this was a perfect solution, all of the transcribing could be done by the ESL students as part of a class activity. Bethany has two ESL students, Isabel and Rosabela.
Isabel Morales is from Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua and has been in the United States for the past 15 years. Isabel works six days a week as a cleaning woman at a local hotel. During her time off, Isabel hones her English through the ESL class. Rosabela Ramierez is from Namiquipa, Chihuahua. Rosabela like Isabel has been in the Unites Sates for fifteen years and works cleaning houses in the Santa Fe area. Rosabela is a charming woman whose husband Tabo, is from Obregón, Mexico so Rosabela is familiar with the nuances of the Obregón dialect. Rosabela is perfecting her English in preparation for her GED certification test which she will take later on in the year. Eventually Rosabela would like to manage her own house cleaning business in Santa Fe. Both women work six day weeks, take care of their families in addition to taking the ESL class once a week. Transcribing the interviews took the women only two months which was surprising since the women are so busy.
Bethany, Isabel and Rosabela can not be thanked enough for their enthusiasm in taking on this project and the considerable amount of time spent on details making sure the transcriptions were correct.
Stitch by stitch, each person has been weaving their story into the fabric of Always Becoming.
Weaving
With walrus needles
Air
And sage
Making clay skin people
Clay skin people who will become Towa'eh
Who in time will become clouds
Bringing rain to waiting earth beds
Continual rebirth
Pressing
Wrapping
Weaving.
Excerpt from the poem - Always Becoming
Next Month: Finding Music
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