Text/Photos by Alison Wattie//
Art and culture are what bring cities and communities to life, and in 2017 Merida shone under her crown of ‘Cultural Capital of the Americas’. Thousands of international and national artists brought experiences to Merida never seen before, and although the pace of events may have slowed in 2018, the collective passion of curators, gallerists and artists here in Merida has not.
The Yucatan Peninsula’s only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art, the Fernando García Ponce-Macay, is under partial renovation to eventually bring more exhibition space to the city. Throughout the summer, visitors can see new work by 80-years-young Gabriel Ramirez, in Ramirez HOY!, encounter the stones by Spanish sculptor Alberto Bañuelos, and contemplate paintings by Michoacan artist Francisco Barajas. Across the square at Casa de Montejo, an oft-overlooked exhibition space is beautifully curated by Citibanamex. Photographer Flor Garduño’s “La construcción del instante” will be up until August 20, with an exhibition by Mexican painter Ricardo Martínez scheduled to open on August 28.
Merida’s museums, cultural centres and galleries have matured, with quality exhibition design becoming a top priority. Through August, the historic Palacio Canton will feature the exhibition “Ko’olel, transforming the way”, a journey through the history of women in Yucatan, while the highly anticipated Palacio de Musica is scheduled to open in July. In addition to the intimate concert hall, an interactive exhibition space will take up the entire lower level, enticing visitors with the story of music in Yucatan.
And that’s just the half of it.
Merida is so much more than cultural icons like Museo de la Ciudad and Gran Museo de Mundo Maya. Small commercial galleries, artist-run spaces, site-specific installations, cultural exchanges in restored haciendas, artist studio tours—these are the experiences that help to create a true cultural scene in any city and Merida is well on her way.
Galería La Eskalera opened in Colonia Santiago in 2011, with a focus on local emerging artists. On July 20th, Andrea Pasos will showcase new work entitled “Transfiguraciones: a través del inconsciente”. Around the corner at El Zapote, artist Renato Chacon will open a small retrospective on July 6th of his grandfathers work, called “Apuntes de Viaje” by Manuel Chacon.
Slightly farther afield in San Sebastián stands a small contemporary space that is entirely outdoors—a place of reflection rather than a respite from the heat. Josegarcia.mx is an experiential space featuring a contemplative exhibit by Pablo Dávila called ‘Sin Necesidad de Titúlo’ that is open through August.
The always surprising Centro Cultural la Cúpula will mount it’s 3rd summer exhibition on June 29th called “Peninsula 3”, featuring 18 artists working and living in the Yucatan Peninsula, who explore the theme of creating new memory.
Lux Perpetua in Itzimná, one of Merida’s newer galleries, has become known for their impressive roster of international artists. Lux will launch its summer season on June 21st with the work of Guillermo Olguín’s “Nuit Fauve II” followed by Carles “Bodas Místicas con la naturaleza domeñada”.
Another hidden gem, Noox Azcorra, features temporary and permanent exhibitions in a renovated 19th century hacienda, right in the heart of Merida. On July 14th, Noox will inaugurate the “Festival de Calor”, a celebration of film and live theatre, and on July 27th, sculptures by Alejandro Farías will occupy the spaces.
The expression of art has always been a way for people of all ages and demographics to meet, connect, and share a universal language, and this summer in Merida is no exception.
–Alison Wattie
Alison Wattie is a Canadian writer, photographer and graphic designer who has resided in Merida for the past five years with her husband, artist Ric Kokotovich. Her blog is yomimiyo.com. Contact her at alisonwattie@gmail.com.
What’s happening in Merida galleries this summer
El Zapote Galería
Calle 57 #545 x 66 y 68
July 6 – August 15: Manuel Chacon “Apuntes de Viaje”
SOHO Galleries
Calle 60 #400A x 43 y 41
Art & Coffee every other Sunday starting August 12 9 am-1pm
Lux Perpetua
Corner of Calle 15 & 20 Itzimná
June 21 – end of July: Guillermo Olguín “Nuit Fauve II”
August: Carles “Bodas Místicas con la naturaleza domeñada”
Noox Azcorra
Calle 28 #594 x 61 diagonal Col. Azcorra Mon-Sat 9-2 4-8
July 14 9pm: “Festival del Calor” Inauguration; Cinema and live theatre July 19-21 at Olimpo
July 27: Sculptor Alejandro Farías
Painting classes starting July 2 Mon/Wed 4-6pm
Galería-Estudio Juan Pablo Bavio
Calle 57 #549C x 68 y 70
Mon-Fri 11-1pm, 5-8pm, Sat 10-1pm
Painting Classes July-Aug
Centro Cultural la Cúpula
Calle 54 #407B x 41 y 43
June 29 8pm Opening: Peninsula 3
July Hours Mon-Thur 3-8pm, Fri 3-8pm
August: by appt only
Galeria la Eskalera
Calle 70 #474B x 57 y 59
July 20 through August: Andrea Pasos “Transfiguraciones: a través del inconsciente”
Tue-Sat 9:30-2pm
JoséGarcia
Calle 77 #568-O x 78 y 80
July/August: Pablo Dávila ‘Sin Necesidad de Titúlo’
Tue-Fri 4-6 pm, or by appt
Museo Casa Montejo
Calle 63 #506 x 60 y 62
Flor Garduño “La construcción del instante” until August 20
August 28: Ricardo Martínez
–List compiled by Alison Wattie
(This list is not all-inclusive due to space limitations.)
