ARTES DE MÉXICO

Folk Art of Mexico

Aug 1, 2006 - Jan 15, 2007

Curator: Rob Sidner and Jeremiah Maloney

This exhibition composed of two complementary exhibitions – folk art in the Grand Plaza Gallery and Pre-Columbian art in the Mezzanine Gallery – celebrated the rich variety of objects made for daily life, play and ceremony. These vital and exuberant arts are intimate expressions of Mexico ’s history, vast land, diverse regions and people.

ARTES DE MÉXICO presented contemporary objects of daily use from throughout Mexico, fashioned from clay, tin, wood, paper and fiber. Every aspect of Mexican life was represented, from bullrings to buses to wedding and funerals. The exhibition included a village alive with whimsical bicycle riders, musicians, market vendors and land and sea vehicles; giant parade puppets and fantastic dragon-like creatures called alebrijes; churches, retablos (altar pieces) and religious statues, even a Madonna woven out of straw. An altar to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos, the festival honoring departed loved ones was also on view. This exhibition demonstrated the importance of family, community, religion and fun as well as the creative spirit of Mexican craftspeople.