anonymous gallery
anonymous gallery returns to CDMX
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anonymous gallery is proud to announce that it is returning to Mexico City where it has opened a space in the neighborhood of San Miguel Chapultepec, while simultaneously dedicated to its programing in New York. anonymous operated in Mexico City between 2012-2018 and looks forward to re-engaging with a mission of international cooperation, collaboration and dialogue; hosting 4-5 exhibitions per year that sometimes coincide with residencies for artists and curators.
The gallery’s new space at C. Gobernador Ignacio Esteva 44 will feature approximately 120 sq meters of primary exhibition space, while there is a patio intended for outdoor installation, and a project space, with offices. The project space will be helmed by Antonella Rava, the gallery’s Associate Director in Mexico City, and founder of Relaciones Publicas (RP), which has “functioned as a gallery, publisher, artistic organization, sect, support group, union, strip club; and as an overall tool to create resources that make artistic projects possible”. The collaboration will allow RP the space to continue its programming, while integrating with anonymous’s activities. RP @ anonymous will open its first exhibition with Luis Campos, during CDMX’s art week.
anonymous gallery’s first exhibition: Equis, Y Griega, Zeta (mx), focuses on 3 generations of artists from Mexico: X, Y and Z. First organized in New York City, the exhibition returns home, reimagined, where it will inaugurate anonymous gallery's new space in Mexico City. Equis, I Griega, Zeta engages a select, yet significant generational group of artists living and working in Mexico City - who continue to impact the erudition of art not only in Mexico, but globally: Wendy Cabrera Rubio, Miguel Calderón, Tomás Díaz Cedeño, Samuel Guerrero, Adriana Lara, Berenice Olmedo, and José Luis Sánchez Rull. The exhibition equally acknowledges and extends gratitude to the supporting community of galleries who consigned works for the exhibitions: Thank you General Expenses, kurimanzutto, Lodos, and Peana.
anonymous will host a public reception for both exhibitions on February 9th, 6-9 pm
C. Gob. Ignacio Esteva 44, San Miguel Chapultepec, 11850 Ciudad de México, CDMX| Piso 3 | Buzz 2#
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Public event and opening: February 9, 2024
Location: C. Gobernador Ignacio Esteva 44,
San Miguel Chapultepec, 11850 Ciudad de México, CDMX
Piso 3 | Buzz 2#
EXTENDED VERSION - written by Joseph Henrikson, founder of anonymous gallery
The evening of June 19, 2010, the body of the writer Carlos Monsiváis arrived at El Museo de la Ciudad de México, in the center of Mexico City. Instead of what would have been the opening of an exhibition we organized, the museum became the memorial for one of Mexico’s most famous writers. For 3 inspiring days and debaucherous nights prior we had been led through the city by the artist Miguel Calderon and the U.S. writer Carlo McCormick. However, there we stood, a small band of misfits from New York City, sobered and charmed by the ovation and hordes that came to pay their respects to Monsiváis; accompanied by his relatives, cultural officials of the highest order, along with numerous personalities from the art and literary worlds of Mexico. This was my introduction to Mexico City. A place I would later call home and where I was able to collaborate, experiment with, and grow anonymous gallery.
In the decade since, I have had the privilege of witnessing, and participating in the evolution of artistic culture in Mexico City. The exhibition Equis, I Griega, Zeta focuses on a small, but significant generational group of artists from that community - who continue to impact the erudition of art not only in Mexico, but globally. Artists such as Miguel Calderón, Adriana Lara and José Luis Sánchez Rull represent a generation of artists who have "matured" and grown further in influence. Miguel Calderon, regarded as a seminal figure in Mexico’s independent art scene, often combines a dark sense of humor that is reconfigured into multi-media works that explore deep social and personal territories. Jose Luis Sánchez Rull develops work that is a saturated web of highly informed perspectives on art, sex, drugs, music and death. His work as an artist and educator has directly informed legions of artists. Adriana Lara's international practice historically brings together separate artistic fields in order to continuously challenge the factors that shape contemporary art production.
Meanwhile, a younger generation of artists began to push against what they saw as the new establishment. We now see their artworks, careers and/or organizations develop, fragment, and evolve. Diaz Cedeño delves into the interplay between the natural and the artificial - utilizing regionally found pigments, clay, and metal he incorporates performative rituals and interaction with technology. Olmedo scrutinizes the political dimensions of disability and illness, and the inadequacies of healthcare in relation to skin color, class or gender. Wendy Cabrera Rubio's research and production investigates the impact biotechnology, the extreme right, along with the traditions and aesthetics of didactic theater, through the use of textiles. She, like others of her generation, has been a founding member of several curatorial collectives.
Now new opportunities are forming for an emerging generation of artists and spaces that continue to push the boundaries of art and culture in Mexico. Samuel Guerrero, approaches an assimilation of territory, its cultural and political implications; the deconstruction and reconstruction of the body, as well as the formation of new appearances through elements of social identity.
The exhibition Equis, I Griega, Zeta focuses on 3 generations of artists from Mexico: X, Y and Z.
Joseph Ian Henrikson