Gabriela Galván: Modthern Nature

Where: Arte Abierto Artz Pedregal, Mexico City, Valley of Mexico
When: 14 June 2023

This was uninteresting. A collection of some scattered plants, and two or three teenager collages on the walls and on some screens. That is all that can be said about this exhibit. So, let us focus on the good things. Unlike at the Iturbide Palace, where one felt like the security guards did not want you to enjoy your experience, this place did have a friendly and welcoming environment. There was even a man who was very keen about explaining the canonical interpretation of the things around you. The thing is, I am not very interested in authorial intent, and it felt like this exhibition was all about authorial intent.
  One last thing. Right at the entrance they had a quote by Gilles Clément. I have tried verifying its provenance, and could not find it literally as it appeared at the museum, perhaps because it was in Spanish, but I did find an article in which he is quoted saying essentially the same thing:

"Once a building is finished, if there’s no one to look after it, it ends up a ruin. But in the case of a garden, if there’s no one to look after it, if there’s no gardener, it becomes a jungle."

That quote was the most interesting part of the exhibition.

Steve McCurry: ICONS

Where: Franz Mayer Museum, Mexico City, Valley of Mexico
When: 11 June 2023

My father made me aware of this exhibition. I became truly interested in it on Saturday (June 10) that I went to the museum and was told that there were no more tickets available for the day. Unexpectedly, I was able to return the next day having previously bought the tickets on Fever's app, with my parents and my niece.

  I must say in the beginning I was not too sold on the idea of an exhibit of photographs, but I was intrigued by the beautiful venue. Having said that, I was pleased by the pictures in the exhibition but a big part of it was the accompanying audio commentary by Steve McCurry that one could access on one's cell phone. Seeing all the places he has visited, the people he has met, and the events that he has witnessed, made me wish I could see more of the world. At the same time I realise I may not be so lucky, if I am being realistic. I am not complaining, I consider myself very fortunate for having visited the places I have visited. This exhibit was a reminder that there is so much more to see in the world, and I was grateful that someone wanted and had the opportunity to share those experiences, through photographs, with other people.

Transformación Urbana (Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos)

Where: Palacio de Iturbide, Mexico City, Valley of Mexico
When: 10 June 2023

Unexpectedly I found myself visiting the Iturbide Palace with my mother and niece. I did not know what exhibits they were having, so entering an architectural exhibition was certainly a surprise. A pleasant surprise. I did not know that the architecture firm Sordo Madaleno was behind the construction of places like Antara (Polanco) and Artz (Pedregal), the latter being particularly dear to my heart given its proximity to my house. I did not even know Sordo Madaleno was an architecture firm.
  It was a very small exhibit, and I wish I could have taken the guided tour. I did not even know there was a guided tour until I was about to leave. There really should be more people explaining what is going on in the museum. Instead there was only an abundance of staff scolding children for getting too close to the models when they were not even getting that close to the models.
  My experience this time left me feeling like I was in a gorgeous place that was too heavily guarded by staff that did not make for a friendly, welcoming experience.

Museum of Popular Art

Where: Museum of Popular Art, Valle de Bravo, State of Mexico
When: 4 June 2023

I was very pleasantly surprised by the artisanal works in this museum's permanent collection, which is the only collection they have. I must confess that I have never been, and still not am, a fan of artisanal works. Most of what you find on the streets (or in "artisans' markets") are not of quality, yet everyone I know love and adore them as if they were actual works of art. Well, the artisanal works in this museum were actual works of art. I was most impressed by the vases, and by the Árboles de la vida (Trees of Life). And yes, it did made me appreciate Mexican culture in a way that I wish could be more present in everyday life. Yet, producing the kind of artisanal work that is displayed in this museum must be very expensive, which is contrary to the manufacturing means of an everyday person in Mexican society. In that way, the objects in display in the Museum of Popular Art are not actually popular art, they are works of art that are reserved only for the ateliers with more means.
  I am grateful to the anonymous owner who opened and mantains this museum free for all. Even that is an extraordinary display of wealth.