Jose Davila at Galeria OMR, all images by Hannah Zhang for Art Observed
Zona Maco has once again opened for its doors for a week of sales and shows in the sprawling metropolis of Mexico City. The fair, which has built a reputation for both its international curation and ist reflection of the thriving artistic community in Mexico City, here returns to the expanses of the Centro Banamex for its 19th year. This year’s edition marked a continuation of a fair that has long prided itself on the scale and strength of its inclusions, with particular focus paid to the art and artists of Latin America in relation to the rest of the international art market.Â
Yoan Capote at Galleria Continua
The opening hours of the fair underscored the depth and scope of a fair that has long prided itself on its ability to both reflect the landscape of its location in the Mexican Capital, and its ability to draw talent from further afield. At the Hauser & Wirth booth, one could peruse an impressive range of works by Mark Bradford, while local favorite Galeria OMR was presenting works by a range of artists, including Jose Davila and Claudia Comte. Another local gallery who has expanded stateside, Gaga, was presenting an intriguing and diverse booth as well, including commanding work by Vivian Suter and Raul Guerrero, while at New York’s Kasmin Gallery, one could peruse a range of sculptures and drawings by artist Mark Ryden, and at kurimanzutto, a range of artists including Leonor Antunes, Gabriel Orozco and more were all on view.
Mark Bradford at Hauser & Wirth
Other highlights included an impressive booth of works at The Hole, including large scale sculpture by Adam Parker Smith and paintings by Vickie Vainionpää, while at hometown gallery Labor, one could view works by Hector Zamora, Jorge Satorre, Pedro Reyes, Pablo Vargas Lugo and Rodolfo Abularach.
All told, the fair’s early hours were a reflection of the appeal of Mexico City and its thriving arts scene, a diverse, immersive selection of pieces and projects that invited a lengthy, adventurous engagement. Mixing exploratory projects with high-concept work and blue-chip staples, the fair underscores the city’s role as an icon of contemporary art in Latin American and the globe.
The fair closes Sunday, February 13th.
– D. Creahan
Read more:
Zona Maco [Exhibition Site]