Contemporary Mexico City resembles early-2000s Berlin—chaotic yet mystical, blending syncretism and modernity in harmony. The arts scene thrives beyond traditional museums, with works like Alexander Calder’s massive sculpture outside a stadium, Isamu Noguchi’s wall at the Abelardo L. Rodriguez Market, Salvador Dalí’s piece at a Polanco mall entrance, and Mathias Goeritz’s stained glass in the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Renowned ceramic artist Renata Petersen, originally from Guadalajara, highlights the country’s unique contrasts, where architecture, art, and imagination converge. She points out the combination of old churches renovated in French Gothic, Baroque, or neoclassical styles, while still preserving remnants of pre-Hispanic designs.
Mexico’s Cultural Reach
Mexico’s influence extends far beyond its geographical boundaries. Mexican gallerist Hilario Galguera states, “Mexico is an idea, an idea that permeates everywhere.” Mexico’s iconic imagery has inspired dreamlike works by artists such as Salvador Dalí and André Breton.
In anticipation of Mexico City Art Week, galleries across the city were closed for installation, with a few weeks to go before the city is fully covered in pale indigo for the event. From February 5 to 9, over 90 venues showcased Mexico’s artistic heritage and constant reinvention.
Art Week Highlights
Galguera, who helped transition Mexican art into a globally minded contemporary scene, emphasizes the importance of creating a connection between Mexico and the world. He exhibited artists like Donald Judd, Robert Rauschenberg, and Alexander Calder when Mexican muralism still dominated. This year, he features Issa Salliander’s collaboration with Den of Wolves, blending physical painting with video-game pixels.
Zona Maco, the largest fair in Latin America, expects over 80,000 visitors, showcasing works that merge environmental awareness, digital technologies, and Latin American artistic traditions. Founder Zélika Garcia highlights the increasing presence of emerging artists using experimental media.
Must-Visit Galleries and Museums
Museo Jumex
Gabriel Orozco, a prominent Mexican artist, is hosting his first major survey in Mexico since 2006 at Museo Jumex, displaying almost 300 pieces spanning photography, painting, sculpture, and video. Among them is the controversial Empty Shoe Box (1993), which sparked debate at Tate Modern, MoMA, and the Venice Biennale.
Olivia Foundation
Located in Roma Norte, the Olivia Foundation features a stunning private collection of abstract art from the postwar era. This week, exhibitions include “Woman in a Rowboat,” with artists such as Willem de Kooning, Anselm Kiefer, and Anna Weyant, while Sabine Moritz showcases her first solo show in Mexico with “Ara.”
La Metropolitana
The Mexican design firm La Metropolitana, known for creating furniture for top restaurants, unveils its collaboration with conceptual artist Marina Abramović. “Elephant in the Room” features chairs made from cocobolo, Rosa Morada wood, and reclaimed copper, marking Abramović’s first foray into design.
Kurimanzutto
Haegue Yang’s “Arcane Abstractions” offers a reinterpretation of traditional tools with a focus on cultural heritage, while “Masa x Luhring Augustine Vol. 2” features collaborations between Mexican artists and international counterparts, such as Alma Allen, Renata Petersen, and Pipilotti Rist.
Museo Anahuacalli
Paloma Contreras Lomas and Carolina Fusilier transform the museum into a B-horror film set with “¿Cómo se escribe muerte al sur?” examining death and decay through immersive art.
Bosco Sodi Studio
At Sabino 336, Bosco Sodi’s monumental paintings crafted from sawdust, glue, and water explore the beauty found within imperfection. Sodi’s partnership with Casa Wabi Foundation promotes civic ecology.
JO-HS
Jo Dennis presents “A Glass of Absinthe” at this emerging gallery, showcasing evocative works made from bedsheets, military tent fabrics, and tactile materials that explore life and mortality.
Mexico City’s vibrant and eclectic art scene offers an unparalleled experience for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of tradition, modernity, and the arts. From Zona Maco to the latest exhibitions at museums and galleries, the city continues to shape the global art scene with its unique blend of cultural influences.