Observations on Mexico City Art Week 2024
J.L. Rocha Collections
Dynamic, Intimate, and Enveloping
Observations on Mexico City Art Week 2024.
Each February: elite individuals from the art, film, television, music, and fashion industries make their way here to discover what's new in an art-fueled social overload ushered by ZONA MACO the key art fair that celebrated its’ 20th year in 2024. Our founder and namesake Jose Luis Rocha took in the sights, styles, and shopping across art week to come away with new insights and inspiration. This blog post will cover our observations from this years Mexico City Art Week.
What is Zona Maco?
Part art showcase and part fashion runway, Zona Maco has become the largest art fair in Latin America and is comprised of four sections each year at Centro Citibanamex in Mexico City:
DESIGN: exhibiting furniture, jewelry, textiles, and decorative objects.
SALON DEL ANTICUARIO: with antiques.
FOTO: featuring vintage, modern, and contemporary photography; and the most extensive section.
ARTE CONTEMPORÁNEO: showcasing prominent national and international galleries, featuring works from the most influential contemporary artists on the global scene.
What is Mexico City Art Week?
Mexico City Art Week is the culmination of numerous art shows and fairs, that typically takes place within the first two weeks of February. Zona Maco is the centerpiece for Mexico City Art Week and brings conjoined organization for key art, style, and culture events across the city. According to Claudia Paetzoid for Harpers Bazaar:
“ZONAMACO constitutes a catalyst for the art scene in the city, during which galleries and institutions schedule their most relevant exhibitions. Signature events such as Sotheby’s brunch hosted by Lulu Creel at Contramar on Tuesday, and the Tamayo Gala on Thursday evening, are akin to rituals giving Art Week its distinctive rhythm.”
- Source
This quote perfectly exemplifies the envelopment and unity that brings Mexico City through this four-day marathon.
What did J.L. Rocha Observe at Mexico City Art Week?
Initial Themes/Findings?
Dynamic: The 20th anniversary of Zona Maco brought a dynamic energy to the city, there was a vibrant globalism that took over celebrations and events yet the focal point remained Mexican Art and Culture. Showcasing top talents, there was a special connection to be held in every medium.
Intimacy: Across all mediums and events there was a reverberating theme of intimacy with Mexican Culture, from sculpture to canvas and even within the realm of multi-media/technologically immersive pieces - there was a specific focus on both the culture and the people that births art. Many artists interlaced cultural symbolism with larger globalist ideals, and connected the zeitgeist of what it means to be Mexican within todays universal economy of media and commerce.
Enveloping: “Grand” is a word that comes to mind almost immediately during Zona Maco and Mexico Art Week. Contemporary art and experiential installations were unmissable as they welcome you into unique spaces and ideas. While walking into the FOTO section, we were greeted by a tunnel of vibrant yellow that stands out to me as a similar emotional ethos of the week: fast paced, bright, and a promising view for what is to come. I also recommend that anyone visiting Mexico City takes a stop at the newly inagurated Lago Algo, a space that will feel like a small world within the tapestry of the city.
Did you have a favorite Artist?
“I enjoyed each part of the show, but I bought a number of art pieces that spoke to me personally. I took home three pieces from artist Amador Montes because the message of the works spoke to me.
‘De La Serie Mirar Otra Vez XXVII’ has a sowing machine that reminded me of my mother.
‘Apareces Tu’ brings back memories of a song your mother and I would sing in our early marriage.
‘Un Dia Quise Ser Pajaro’ spoke to me in the legacy of family, and being inspired to carry on the love you’re given.
I also took home a piece from a younger artist named Andres Orjuela because it reminded me of your brother. But there was one work that also caught my eye where the Articles of the Mexican Constitution were written on the soles of dress shoes mounted to the wall. Some artists incorporated smart T.V.s with cameras that made art through the traffic of the fair; all-in-all the entirety of festivities were wonderful.”
Closing Notes:
Zona Maco is more than enough of a reason to visit Mexico City Art Week, but each event, all the cultural affects, and the unique talent that is showcased will truly show you the range of what Mexico has to offer. After 20 years of already well crafted experiences, I believe that Mexico City Art Week will become a larger player on the global stage, gaining more and more recognition as the artists and brands participating grow. We hope to see you there in the coming years.
Thank You/Gracias