Thrush Holmes at Beers London, via Art Observed
For early entries in the art world’s annual calendar of art fairs, exhibitions and selling events, few can compare with the proceedings of Zona Maco during Mexico City’s annual art week. Now in its 15th year, the landmark fair for much of Latin American has grown even larger, expanding to host 170 galleries from around the globe within the confines of the Centro Banamex in the city, offering a program of conferences with international guests, a section with specialized publications and editorials, and the widest program of parallel activities with exhibitions at the most outstanding galleries and museums in the country.
Marco Maggi at Pierro Achtugarry, via Art Observed
The fair has grown by leaps in bounds over the past several years, as a burgeoning international market for contemporary art and ever-expanding fair calendar has sent a new range of collectors on a direct course towards the city’s historically rich artistic heritage, and its continued support of young artists. As a result, its 15th year felt like something of a victory lap, one that was as much a testament to Mexico City’s ever-increasing prominence on the global contemporary arts stage as it was a testament to Zona Maco’s place in this growth.
Gisela Colon at Diane Rosenstein, via Art Observed
The early hours of the fair saw strong attendance throughout its expansive aisles and rows, with galleries bringing forward their best bodies of work to show at the fair. Hometown favorite kurimanzutto, for instance, had brought an expansive range of works by Minerva Cuevas, as well as Gabriel Orozco’s most recent catalogue of his Oroxxo project, which opened last year during the fair. The striking text was on hand for perusal by interested parties, published by kurimanzutto and Koenig Books. In another corner, CURRO was presenting a series of new works by a range of artists including Juan Capistrán, Richard T. Walker and Cristina Garr, bringing together a diverse range of sculptural and mediated objects that made it one of the more rewarding, subtly-appointed spaces at the show. Also leading the show’s blue chip spaces, Marian Goodman had a diverse body of work, including a striking installation by Cerith Wyn Evans in its booth, one that paired quite nicely against a Tim and Sue Noble neon, nearby at Blain|Southern.
Rachel Lee at Leila Heller, via Leila Heller
CURRO Gallery, via CURRO
At Sean Kelly, one could view a series of works by Callum Innes and Sam Moyer, subdued works that played on the language of minimalism in their own unique manners, while at Beers London, a series of complex light paintings by artist Thrush Holmes mixed a playful twist on punk aesthetics and rock and roll iconography into the fabric of the artist’s glowing canvases. In another corner, a diverse series of works from London gallery Arcade brought another splash of color to the halls of the Citibanamex, featuring pieces by Caroline Achaintre and Peggy Frank.
Barbara Kasten at Bortolami, via Art Observed
Alex McLeod at Galerie Division, via Art Observed
Marjolijn de Wit at Asya Geisberg, via Art Observed
As the early hours of the fair drew to a close, collectors and visitors moved towards the door, and out into the city’s streets, where the warm weather and sun of the city was giving way to the hustle and bustle of the metropolis at night. With another year underway, Zona Maco’s annual proceedings are a friendly reminder of a market that continues to move and change, bringing its participants along for the ride.
The fair is open through Sunday.
La Caja Negra Booth, via La Caga Negra
Henry Chapman at Efrain Lopez, via Art Observed
Dorian Gaudin and Klaus Jorres at Dittrich and Schlechtriem, via Art Observed
Caroline Achaintre at Arcade, via Art Observed
Minerva Cuevas at kurimanzutto, via Art Observed
Read more:
Zona Maco [Exhibition Site]
