Galerie Philia has made its name touring the globe with a cross-cultural programme of contemporary art and design, exhibiting established names alongside new discoveries. Accordingly, it has pitched up to Mexico City this week with a new spectacle to coincide with the opening of Latin American art fair Zona Maco.
Showing until 12 February, Transatlántico exhibits 50 works by 30 designers from Argentina, Peru, Dominican Republic, Colombia and, naturally, Mexico. The avant-garde scenographer House of Kirschner has adapted a vast 700-square-metre space with light displays, recorded sound and a bespoke roof to show the collectable furniture, textiles and ceramics to their best potential. ‘Cohabiting’ designs from Belgium, Russia and Italy will kick off the transatlantic dialogue.
Desk Alchemy Chairs, Rick Owens. Image courtesy of the artist.
Common Embrace, Ila Ceramica. Image courtesy of the artist.
Honeycomb Vase, Ila Ceramica. Image courtesy of the artist.
Photography: Maison Mouton Noir Courtesy of Galerie Philia
Photography: Maison Mouton Noir Courtesy of Galerie Philia
Photography: Maison Mouton Noir Courtesy of Galerie Philia
Ceiba Lamp, Chuch Estudio. Image courtesy of the artist.
Toribio and Alcira, Christán Mohaded. Image courtesy of the artist.
‘It’s our first project emphasising a new generation of Latin American designers,’ says curator Ygaël Attali. ‘We have created an immersive space that engages every sense of the viewer, producing an experience worthy of this inaugural event.’
Attali has highlighted the work of nu-carpenter Cristián Mohaded of Argentina, who crafts lithe seating from indigenous materials like missionary moor cedar, and Brancusi-inspired pieces by Mexican studio Breuer. And he’s put particular focus on original textile works by Colombian studios Verdi and Alejandra Aristizábal, who make use of natural fibres from the Amazon and Andes respectively.
Pottery by Ila, Chuch Estudio and Rodrigo Bravo complements the larger pieces.
Say Attali, ‘We hope the culmination of these pieces, a hybrid of European and Latin American visual idiosyncrasies, creates an influence more sensational than that of the individual – a testament and appreciation of the intricacies of Latin America’s culture and design on an international scale.’
Until 12 February 2022 at Avenida Ejército Nacional 676, INT 501, Polanco III Sección 11540 Miguel Hidalgo, CDMX Mexico City
