| Between Neighbors |
Merida is to host an exhibition of Mexican and American artists.
The United States has accepted the invitation to be the guest country in 2005 as part of the ongoing project “Merida, Yucatan: City of Sculpture”. The sculptures, according to the the president of the MACAY Cultural Foundation, will be showcased on the famous avenue, Paseo de Montejo.
The exhibition of monumental contemporary sculptures in open spaces comprising works of contemporary American artists (or resident artists) will follow the works of Mexican artists currently being exhibited on that important city avenue.
“Merida, of Yucatan: City of Sculpture” is a project where Paseo de Montejo and Pasaje de la Revolucion are permanently transformed (except during the Carnival) into open galleries devoted to the sculptural works of Yucatecan, Mexican, and world artists. These two outstanding, well-trafficked locations, being of reknowned architectural merit, will be enhanced and embellished by the artistic contribution, Garcia Ponce added.
Bertha Cea Echenique, cultural attaché of the United States Embassy in Mexico City, traveled to Merida to meet with Carlos Garcia Ponce and the director of the museum of contemporary art of Yucatan (MACAY), Miguel A. Madrid Jaime, where they discussed the invitation, details of the program, and the areas where the art will be displayed.
Ms. Echenique arrived in Yucatan a week ago with her family. “We have been visiting archaeological sites, convents, and other places of interest, that this state has to offer,” she said, “And we have enjoyed everything very much”.
Ms. Echenique returned last Sunday to Mexico City after a tour of Paseo de Montejo and Pasaje de la Revolucion to be acaquainted with the furture sites of this grand exhibition of large and amazineg sculptures by American artists.
“Merida of Yucatan: City of Sculpture” is an interesting and unique program. The Paseo de Montejo as the chosen space for the exhibits is a splendid and wonderful frame with few like it in Mexico”, pointed out Ponce.
There are many places in Mexico to promote painting, photography and the other visual arts, but only a few suitable for monumental sculptures, therefore, Paseo de Montejo is the ideal location.
Garcia Ponce said that from now on the program will have a different guest country each year. The first and current exhibit is from Mexico, therefore the works of art we now admire and enjoy on Paseo de Montejo are from Mexican or Mexican resident artists.
Since in 2005 the guest country of choice was the United States it's great news that our invitation was accepted. It's also important for our foundation, because it opens the doors to have access to museums, sculptors and other foundations in that country. In a way, the American Embassy in Mexico City is acting as a sponsor to Yucatan, since this will allow American sculptures to be part of this program.
The artists to be invited must have a large piece ready to be exhibited in the open space and be generous enough to lend it for one year, without getting financially compensated. In exchange, they will have the satisfaction of showing their works in this space, this beautifula and historic avenue. In addition, there is the promotion and further advertising of their work through a published catalog.