An ongoing exhibition at Vadehra Art Gallery features works by contemporary Mexican artists. They trace problems faced by India and Mexico. Neeti Nigam reports
The contemporary art from Mexico is not as well-known in this part of the world as are its other exports — spicy cuisine, vibrant music and dance, and of course actress Salma Hayek. But thanks to globalisation, Internet and love for art, Indian and Mexican artists are discovering similarities between the two nations. Apart from the obvious, well-known facts, there are other common invisible elements that bind the social consciousness of both nations and are well-crafted in the exhibition, An Antipode So Close.
Antipode literally means the diametrically opposite points of any given place on earth. Despite located on the opposite sides of the globe, the art sensibilities, aesthetic poetry and music bridge the gap between India and Mexico. By using an axe on the wall and Rs 1 coins on the floor, artist Arturo Hernandez Alcazar in his work Fallen Wages has shown how labourers of both the nations are underpaid and their contribution in these developing economies are looked down upon. The Rs 1 coin is used as a metaphor for these labourers. “A single rupee might not value much, but as the number increases, the value increases, too,” said the artist. Another work of Arturo, Never Work, shows a rubber stamp, ink pillow and paper. While the art engages viewers to stamp word ‘Never Work’ on paper or wall, it depicts how stamp is a symbol of bureaucracy.
Curator Julia Villasenor Bell, who has been living in the Capital for three years, feels that both the countries are enchanted by works of the Western nations and they do not value art in their own lands. “I have worked in a lot of countries and the kind of artwork artists from developing economies are showing are outstanding. The economic disparity and social difference are well-shown in their works. In this exhibition, you’ll see what comes out of Mexican sensibility is in the Indian context,” said Julia. “The art scene in Mexico is same as was in Berlin in the 1990s. A lot of museums are coming up in the city and I feel in some years, Mexico would be the art capital of the world,” she added.
The contemporary Mexican art scene is indeed socially intense and politically charged. The emerging works are playful yet profound. There is underlying theme to each exhibit. Not only the artists are redefining Mexican identity and addressing global issues but are bringing the aesthetic side and an alternative vision of Mexico, quite unknown to the world.
The exhibition includes artists who explore different materials, use technology and social interventions. Artist Roberto De la Torre has put up a video art installation of a scene where he made some 60 people push and pull windows. “My idea is to reflect light as well as capture expressions of people who felt that the city is facing an earthquake, similar to the disastrous 1985,” he informed.
Some artists have shown similar motifs or works common in both cultures. In artist Demian Flores Tattos’ work, he has applied serigraph on gold leaf and carved wicked faces like skull, pirates. Artist Manuel Rocha Iturbide’s installation displays six tablas playing morning, afternoon and night ragas. Artist Artemio beautifully engraved signs of guns, bullets and other weapons on marble. “The world knows how beautifully Indian artisans work on marble. Inspired from the same art of Pietra dura, Artemio has put signs of violence on marble. Such elements are universal and steeped in our history,” said Julia.
The title takes inspiration from Octavio Paz’ essay The Antipodes of Coming and Going from his book In light of India. The exhibition continues till January 11.