REBECA
MÉNDEZ

nov 29, 2018 — jun 13, 2019
maco, museo de arte contemporaneo, oaxaca, mexico

the exposition “under the cobalt blue sky,” produced by the museo de arte contemporáneo de oaxaca, is the result of a dialogue on various levels. perhaps the most visible is the pairing of thirteen visual artists each with a local artisan. the visual artists — whose artistic and academic exercise has been developed mainly in north america — were selected in a daring fashion by curator marietta bernstorff and connected with artesanal workshops located in diverse zones of the state of oaxaca.

in the never-ending debate about the limits of art and artesian practice, there have been as many different stances as there have been ways to address their differences and similarities.
and although there have been many exercises that have intended to create a hybrid of these two spheres, only in very few occasions has a harmonious relationship been achieved. 

but the dialogue came more from the intersections of professional practice in each pair created by Bernstorff. the artists were not only exposed to techniques different from their own, but also to forms of working that factored decisively into the production of the pieces. being that the workshops that received them are, by nature, made up of families that share the same trade, relationships were established that touched on vital points, such as other ways of viewing and understanding the world. this pulse can be felt in every one of the installations included in this exhibition.

museo de arte contemporaneo, oaxaca
https://museomaco.org