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THE MEXICAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE
OF NEW YORK ANNUAL REPORT 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Board & Staff……………………………………….....
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Introduction & Mission…...………………………......... 6 - 8
Visual Arts…………………………………………..... 9 - 32
Film………………………………………………….. 33 - 44
Performing Arts ………………………......................... 45 - 56
Literature…………………………………………….. 57 - 68
Music ………………………........................................ 69 - 76
Traditional & Special Events……………........................ 77 - 83
Institutional Support & Collaboration……........................ 84 - 85
Financial Information .……………………………........ 86 - 87
HONORARY PRESIDENT
Ambassador Rubén Beltrán
Consul General of Mexico in New York
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ADVISORY BOARD
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Gaetana Enders
Vartan Gregorian
Jorge Mariscal
Liliana Melo de Sada
Enrique Norten
Adolfo Patrón
Luis Peña
Yolanda Santos
Kenneth Schwartz
Denise Simon
Susan Segal
Dore Ashton
Miguel Cervantes
Judith Friedlander
Juan García de Oteyza
Manolo García Oliva
Ronald Hellman
Isabella Hutchinson
Mary-Anne Martin
Zarela Martínez
Brian Nissen
Richard Peña
Pepita Serrano
Alan Stoga
Edward Sullivan
Joel Thome
Jill Vexler
Eliot Weinberger Patricia Espinosa
Minister of Foreign Affairs
TREASURER
Eduardo Ramos Gómez
SECRETARY
Kevin Dyer
Arturo Sarukhán
Ambassador of Mexico to the United States
Alejandro Estivill
General Director for North America
Cecilia Jaber
General Director of Educational
and Cultural Cooperation
THE MEXICAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE
Raúl J. Zorrilla
Executive Director
María Elena Cabezut
Deputy Director
Aldo Sánchez
Program Coordinator
EMERITUS BOARD
Plácido Arango
Rita DiMartino
Plácido Domingo
Henry Kissinger
William Luers
Thomas E. McNamara
William Rhodes
David Rockefeller
Rodman Rockefeller
José F. Serrano
Carlos Slim
Rafael Tovar y de Teresa
Sebastián Mitre
Program Coordinator
Carolina Ferreras
Program Associate & Administrative Liaison
27 East 39 Street
New York, NY 10016
212.217.6478
www.mciny.org
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As Honorary President of the Board of the Institute and Consul General of Mexico in New York, I am pleased to present our 2009 Annual
Report.
Throughout my diplomatic career I have always recognized the importance of culture to promote a better understanding among nations. In
today’s world, it is more important than ever to share and celebrate our cultural diversity. It is fundamental to strengthen relations by reaching
out to the community and sharing our country’s cultural richness.
In an increasingly globalized world, I strongly believe that connecting through culture is one of the best ways to promote international relations.
Culture is still the strongest bond connecting Mexico and the United States. It is through culture that we are able to celebrate our differences
and build on our knowledge about one another.
As you will see detailed in the following report, the Institute has actively collaborated in nearly one hundred cultural events ranging from visual
arts, literature, theater, dance, and film, among other special events that have showcased Mexican heritage and its contemporary artists.
It is with great satisfaction that I recognize the Institute’s success in the promotion of Mexico’s image and in generating awareness of our
culturally diverse country.
The Institute is expanding its area of influence through collaborations with prestigious institutions such as The Museum of Modern Art, The
Guggenheim Museum, El Museo del Barrio, New York University, and City University of New York, among others.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all the New York institutions that have collaborated on our projects. I also want to acknowledge the
support given by the following Mexican institutions: the General Office of Cultural and Educational Cooperation of the Mexican Ministry of
Foreign Affairs (DGCEC), the National Council for the Arts and Culture (CNCA), the National Fund for Culture and Arts (FONCA), ProMexico and
the Mexico Tourism Board. Finally, I want to give a special thanks to the members of the Board of Directors for their ongoing support since the
Institute’s inception.
I assure you that the Institute’s team will continue to contribute and increase awareness and appreciation of Mexico’s rich traditions and
contemporary culture throughout New York.
AMB. RUBÉN BELTRÁN
Consul General of Mexico
Honorary President of the Mexican Cultural Institute of New York
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This was an exciting and dynamic year in which the Institute expanded its presence in the cultural scene of New York City. Our team continued
to reach actively in close collaboration with prestigious organizations and institutions to offer a wide variety of cultural activities.
As you will observe in the following pages, during 2009 the Institute participated as organizer or co-organizer in 77 cultural programs. These
included 25 events having to do with the visual arts; 10 related with film; 14 in performing arts, 9 in music; 12 in literature and 7 traditional
and special events.
Throughout the year we partnered with many of New York’s most prestigious institutions and organizations such as The Museum of Modern Art;
The New Museum of Contemporary Art; The Guggenheim Museum of Art; The New York University; City University of New York; The Americas
Society; Creative Time; Instituto Cervantes; The King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center; New York’s Writers Coalition and Mano a Mano: Mexican
Culture Without Borders, among others.
The Institute represented Mexico in diverse conferences, fairs and festivals including The New York Art Book Fair; PINTA: The Modern and
Contemporary Latin American Art Fair; The Annual Conference of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP); Lincoln Center’s OutOf-Doors festival; Celebrate Brooklyn; Tribeca Film Festival; Latin Beat and The New York Film Festival. We also co-organized the Hola Mexico
Film Festival and Celebrate Mexico Now.
Financially, 2009 was a very difficult year for non for profit institutions. Nevertheless, as you will see in our financial statements at the end of
this report, we managed to finance our program with our own resources, leaving our capital un-touched.
As Executive Director I would like to acknowledge the continuous engagement of our board members; the involvement and commitment of our
Honorary President, Amb. Rubén Beltrán, Consul General of Mexico in New York; and the support of the General Directorate for Academic and
Cultural Cooperation (DGCEC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico (SRE) through its General Director Amb. Cecilia Jaber and her team.
I would also like to thank the staff of the Institute María Elena Cabezut, Aldo Sánchez, Sebastián Mitre and Carolina Ferreras for their arduous
work in making our program possible.
RAÚL J. ZORRILLA
Executive Director
The Mexican Cultural Institute of New York
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MISSION OF THE INSTITUTE
The mission of The Mexican Cultural Institute of New York is to strengthen the image of Mexico and foster a better understanding of our country
through the promotion of its art and culture.
Our objectives include making sure that our activities have a high and lasting impact among all the multiethnic and multicultural communities
in the New York City area. In addition, the Institute aims to generate interest among the Mexican communities in the Tri-State region by
presenting Mexico’s most relevant artistic expressions ranging from the Pre-Columbian period to contemporary art.
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visual arts
RESIDENCY PROGRAM FOR MEXICAN ARTISTS
April-July & August-November.
International Studio and Curatorial Program
Every year, two promising artists are selected to participate in the ISCP residency program in New York City for four
months. This program is sponsored by FONCA (the National Fund for Culture and the Arts) and the Mexican Cultural
Institute.
Artists are provided with round-trip transportation, a studio at ISCP, accommodation in an apartment in Williamsburg,
Brooklyn, as well as a stipend for materials and living expenses.
In 2009, the two selected artists were Balam Bartolomé and Patricia Martín.
OPEN STUDIO: Patricia Martín & Balám Bartolomé
May 8 - 11 & November 6 - 9
ISCP hosts Open Studios twice a year to present the work of artists participating in the residency program. The fourday program provides an exclusive peek at the work in progress of 35 artists from 20 countries worldwide. Every year,
approximately 2,000 visitors attend ISCP, including curators, owners of art galleries, and the general public, giving
resident artists the opportunity to network and showcase their work.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
PATRICIA MARTÍN
Patricia Martín studied Visual Arts in Mexico and at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. She then
studied art therapy applied to marginalized groups at the Universidad Complutense in Madrid. She has been awarded the
Young Creators grant from FONCA, an Educational Program grant from the Insituto Nacional de Bellas Artes (Mexico), and
the grant for Excellence Artistique de France. Martín has been resident artist at the Banff Centre for the Arts in Alberta,
Canada, the Cité Internationale des Arts in París, the International Studio Center, and the ISCP in New York. She has also
been invited to symposia in Venezuela and Colombia.
Her work has been exhibited in Mexico, Brazil, China, Colombia, France, Japan, Spain and the USA. It also forms part of
the permanent collections of the Kiyosato Museum of Photographic Arts (Japan), Lehigh University (Pennsylvania), the
Museum of Fine Arts of Houston, and the Fototeca Nacional (Mexico).
BALAM BARTOLOMÉ
Balam Bartolomé studied Visual Arts at the UNAM in Mexico. His media range from sculpture, painting, and installation to
video and drawing. Bartolomé’s work explores the relationship between energy and its consequence –the processes of
action and reaction—by scrutinizing the law of energy conservation, stating that energy is neither created nor destroyed,
but transformed. He examines how ideas can transform an object’s shape or meaning to create a whole different object
or situation.
His work has been exhibited in countries like Colombia, USA, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, France, Portugal, Spain,
Germany, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Japan and Mexico.
Balam Bartolomé during the Open Studio weekend.
Patricia Martin, Tía 2006 – 2007, México. Balam Bartolomé, Wonderland I, 2009, New York. Intervened vintage litograph.
Patricia Martin explaining her work.
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ISCP SALONS: A Talk With Mexican Visual Artist Balam Bartolomé
October 20
International Studio and Curatorial Program, Brooklyn
The ISCP Salons are public, informal gatherings where ISCP artists and curators present
their latest projects. The events can be film screenings, artist talks, small exhibits or
performances. The main purpose is to give the public an opportunity to speak directly
with the artist or curator.
Balam Bartolomé gave an artist talk to present his latest projects and discuss them with
resident colleagues.
The Mexican Dream, plastic toy over jalapeño’s can
Balam Bartolomé, 2004.
BRONX BLUE BEDROOM PROJECT (BBBP)
February - October
Mott Haven, Bronx
BBBP is an artist-run project located in the bedroom of Mexican artist Blanka Amezkua
in Mott Haven, South Bronx. The idea is to create a space where contemporary artists
can exhibit their work in a different type of setting. Artists participate in BBBP for the
duration of one month and are asked to offer a workshop in the local community or
prepare a dinner to be shared with other individuals interested in the arts during their
show.
The Institute has supported BBBP since its inception in 2008.
Bronx Blue Bedroom 2009 Artists:
•Fanny Allié / February 7 - February 28
• Damali Abrams / March 7 - March 28
•Michelle Frick, Arterial Nests / April 4 - April 27
•Mark Lawrence Stafford / May 2 - May 29
Jorge Rojas during the installation of his project.
•Ronny Quevedo / September 5 - September 28
•Hector Canonge / October 3 - October 30
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JOSEPH, THE BULL AND THE ROSE Solo show by Anette Pier
February 26 - March 30
Yeshiva University Museum
This exhibit featured a selection of 20 paintings by Anette Pier. The artist’s theme
was the bull (shor) and the bullfight (fiesta brava) based on the multi-faceted biblical
figure, Joseph.
Drawing on her Jewish-Mexican heritage, Pier used the image of the bull as a
metaphor for Joseph’s magnetism, charisma and acquired identity.
Exhibition view.
The artist demonstrated how bullfighting is both a dance and a power play, with the
matador paralleling Joseph’s relationship with his brothers.
The exhibit marked the beginning of a collaborative relationship between the Mexican
Cultural Institute and the Yeshiva University Museum.
Minister Raúl Zorrilla, artist Anette Pier, Amb. Rubén
Beltrán and Dr. Jacob Wisse, Director of the Yeshiva
University Museum.
ARTBUS PROJECT
March 5 & 6
Armory Show
Artbus started three years ago at the ARCO art fair in Madrid. It appeared at the
Armory Show in New York in 2007.
The Artbus is a van that takes people interested in contemporary art on two free art
tours of the city. This year, tour 1 started at Sotheby´s and visits included the Armory
Show and the SoHo galleries, Artists Space and the Swiss Institute. Tour 2 included
museums and galleries such as PS1 Contemporary Art Museum and Deitch Projects
in Long Island City.
Artbus also features video screenings selected by its organizer Raúl Martínez,
including one by Mexican artist Teresa Margolles. Other participating artists were
Regina Galindo, Chus García-Fraile, Shakuntala Kulkarni, Iván Navarro, Fernando
Sánchez Castillo, Manuela Viera Gallo, and Artur Zmijewski.
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THE GENERATIONAL: Younger Than Jesus
April 4 - June 14
New Museum
The Generational was an exhibit that featured the work of 50 emerging artists from 25 different countries, exploring the
work produced by artists born after 1976. Known as the Millennials, Generation Y, iGeneration, and Generation Me, this
generation has yet to be described beyond their habits of consumption. The exhibit examined the visual culture of this
generation to date.
The exhibit was organized by Lauren Cornell, Director of Rhizome and New Museum Adjunct Curator; Massimiliano Gioni,
Director of Special Exhibitions; and Laura Hoptman, Kraus Family Senior Curator.
The participation of Mexican artist Adriana Lara was made possible thanks to the support of the Mexican Cultural
Institute.
Amb. Rubén Beltrán and
artist Adriana Lara.
U.A.O./wau, Adriana Lara, 2009. Salvador Dalí lip-sofa, Pedro Friedberg
hand-chair and cigarette. The cigarette is alternated every day by the
security guard between the sofa and the chair.
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Photo Courtesy of the New Museum by Benoit Pailley
Photo by Benoit Pailley
Banana Peel, Adriana Lara, 2008. Every day the museum´s security guard
has to peel a banana off and throw it on the gallery floor.
Vis-À-Vis: Dialogues Between Artists and Historians
Thomas Glassford & Miguel Ventura
April 14 & October 20
Americas Society
Vis-á-Vis: Dialogues Between Artists and Historians from the Western Hemisphere is a program created by the Americas
Society that has featured several of the Institute´s lecture programs. This year, the Mexican Cultural Institute and
Americas Society presented two artist talks: Thomas Glassford and Miguel Ventura.
Thomas Glassford, an artist based in Mexico City, participated in a conversation with art historian Mary Coffey. Glassford’s
objects and large-scale projects are distinguished for their precise engagement with the layered materiality of the
modern urban milieu. Often located in politically charged spaces -the US-Mexico border or the Tlatelolco housing project
in Mexico City, for instance- Glassford’s public projects forge relationships between the artist’s interest in the history of
our materiality (from the intimate workings of the body to the systems of transport and communication that connect/
divide us) and specific places.
The dialogue emphasized the creative process as well as the political, economic, and logistical challenges involved in
executing public commissions within a transnational art market.
Mexican artist Miguel Ventura and Spanish curator Juan de Nieves were invited by the Institute to discuss Cantos Cívicos,
Ventura’s latest project.
The conference featured a presentation by Juan de Nieves on the work of Miguel Ventura. De Nieves also introduced
the public to the NILC (the New Inter-Territorial Language Committee), Ventura’s fictitious organization based on the
establishment of the English language in the British colonies of Africa.
Miguel Ventura explained Cantos Cívicos, which was presented at the Art Space in Castellon, Spain in 2007 and at
MUAC, Museo Universitario de Arte Contemporáneo, Mexico City in 2008-2009. The installation, a monumental structure
that resembles Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, highlights photographs and objects related to totalitarian
regimes.
Cantos cívicos, Miguel Ventura, 2008 (installation detail).
Miguel Ventura in conversation with Juan de Nieves
Gabriela Rangel, director of Visual Arts of the Americas Society introducing Thomas Glassford.
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TERESA MARGOLLES: Artist Talk
July 29
Celeste Barthos Theatre, The Museum of Modern Art
Mexican artist Teresa Margolles was invited by MoMa and the Mexican Cultural
Institute to give a lecture as part of the series Conversations with Contemporary
Artists. The conversation was moderated by Pablo Helguera, director of Academic
and Adult Programs for the MoMa.
Since her early work with the collective SEMEFO (Forensic Medical Service), and
later as a solo artist, Margolles has addressed the idea of “anonymous death” by
collecting, reusing, and manipulating objects and procedures from the morgue in
Mexico City. At the lecture, Margolles discussed a selection of her latest works that
focuses on the current relationship between Mexico and the United States.
Currently based in Madrid, Margolles earned degrees in Forensic Medicine at
the Servicio Médico Forense in Mexico City and Science Communication at the
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Her work has been shown internationally
at institutions such as Palacio de Bellas Artes, X Teresa Arte Actual and Carrilo Gil
Museum in Mexico City; P.S.1/MoMa in New York, the Kunst-Werke Berlin, South
London Gallery, Kunsthalle Wien, the Museum of Modern Art of Frankfurt, Centre d’art
Contemporain de Brétigny, MALBA Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires,
El Museo del Barrio and the Brooklyn Museum of Art in New York, among others. She
has participated in the Liverpool, Moscow, Prague, Mercosur and Cuenca Biennials.
Bandera (Flag), Fabric dyed with blood collected from executions
on the north border of Mexico. Façade of the Rota Ivancich Palace,
Mexican Pavillion at the Venice Biennale.
Person mopping the floor of the Mexican Pavillion with water
in which fabrics impregnated with blood from drug-traficking
murders in Culiacán were soaked.
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Teresa Margolles in conversation with Pablo Helguera.
TOLSÁ: Photographs by Joaquín Bérchez
March 11 - April 27. Queen Sofia Spanish Institute
Joaquín Bérchez, photographer and architectural historian, showcased his photographs
of the work of Valencian architect Manuel Tolsá Sarrió (Enguera, Valencia, 1757 –
Mexico, 1816), in an exhibit at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute.
Guests contemplated Tolsá’s genius through the eyes of Bérchez, whose keen attention
to detail brings Tolsá’s Mexico to life with a constant sense of surprise.
7th AVENUE: Sculptures by Aurelio Del Muro
May 2 - 31. Le Petit Versailles Garden, East Village
7th Avenue was an outdoor exhibit at Le Petit Versailles Garden in the East Village that
featured 10 sculptures by Aurelio del Muro.
Aurelio del Muro is a New York-based sculptor who immigrated from San Luis Potosí,
Mexico in 1978. In 1983, he began carving stone, and in 1986 he joined the Art
Students League to study sculpture and drawing.
This series is inspired by a pre-hispanic ceramic sculpture from Tlatilco, Mexico
called, The Acrobat.
CLOTHING, NAMING AND PERFORMANCE: Solo Show by Heriberto García
July 11 – 18. Local Project Gallery
In this series, Monterrey based artist Heriberto García Martínez captured the
overacting and over-feminization often seen among transvestites and explored the
notion of becoming someone else.
The artist highlights the role that clothing plays in gender definition and identity
construction.
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PLOT 09: THIS WORLD AND NEARER ONES
Public Art Project in Governors Island
June 27 – September 30
Governors Island
It could be stated that many of the works of This World and Nearer Ones seem enveloped in a pall of darkness, to
be read either as a persistence of the irrational and the obscure or a reflection of the spirit of the age. It was the
Impressionists that chose to employ dark mirrors, in order to refresh their eyes and see color anew; to stare into dark
glass before turning back again to the world. This, then, is the exhibition as dark mirror.
–Mark Beasly, curator
This World and Nearer Ones featured works by 19 emerging and established artists from around the world. The project
was organized by Creative Time and was curated by Mark Beasly and included work by Mexican artists Teresa Margolles
and the collective Tercerunquinto (Rolando Flores, Julio Castro and Gabriel Cázares).
Founded in 1974, Creative Time has commissioned, produced, and presented nearly 300 public art projects by artists like
Vito Acconci, Jeremy Deller, Phillip Glass, Fischli & Weiss and Jenny Holzer, among many others.
Teresa Margolles’ Muro Baleado is a cinder-block façade that was relocated from Culiacán, Mexico to Governors Island.
It is pockmarked with bullet holes, the result of a deadly shooting linked to organized crime.
For Insular Act, Tercerunquinto threw a rock at a window on the second floor of Liggett Hall building in Governors
Island. On the surface, this action conveys a sense of reckless, juvenile destruction. On a deeper level, however, it was
a calculated experiment in institutional negotiation. Like architectural time capsules, the buildings on the northern half
of the island are protected under historic preservation guidelines. Since the incident, the window has been replaced,
speaking to the way that inconvenient truths get paved over by history.
The participation of the Mexican artists was made possible with support from the Mexican Cultural Institute. Other
participating artists included Edgar Arceneaux, AA Bronson, Lawrence Weiner, Judi Werthein, Krzysztof Wodiczko and the
Bruce High Quality Foundation.
Muro Baleado, Teresa Margolles, 2009.
Insular Act, Terecerunquinto, 2009. Video still.
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Insular Act, Terecerunquinto, 2009. Drawing series.
DULCE PINZON: THE REAL STORY OF THE SUPERHEROES
Calendar Presentation
September 10
Chelsea’s Patisserie des Ambassades
As a result of a partnership between New Immigrant Community Empowerment
(NICE) and the Mexican Cultural Institute of New York, a reception honoring the
release of Dulce Pinzón’s The Real Story of the Superheroes calendar for 2010 took
place in Chelsea.
NICE is a community-based, non-profit organization that works to ensure that
new immigrants can build social, political and economic power within their
communities.
The calendar is a collection of 20 color photographs that depict Latino immigrant
workers dressed as popular American and Mexican superheroes. Each photo is
accompanied by a short text stating the worker’s name, hometown, and the amount
of money sent home periodically.
Ms. Pinzón generously donated all proceeds from the calendar sales to NICE.
Artist Dulce Pinzón and the superheroes signing calendars.
María Luisa Romero from the State of Puebla. Works in a
laundromat in Brooklyn, New York. She sends 150 dollars
a week.
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EL OJO DE TU VECINO: Photography Exhibition
July 2. Instituto Cervantes
Eduardo Lago, director of the Instituto Cervantes with curator
Rafael Díaz Casas and artists Dulce Pinzón and Mónica Ruzansky.
El Ojo De Tu Vecino is a look at New York City and its inhabitants through the eyes of
seven young artists from Latin-America and Spain. The images captured by the artists
invite the public to reflect on daily life in the metropolis.
The Mexican artists who participated in this project were Dulce Pinzón and Monica
Rusanzky. The presence of Pinzón was made possible thanks to the support from the
Mexican Cultural Institute.
STATUS REPORT: Group Exhibition
September 3 - October 10. BRIC Rotunda Gallery
Status Report is the first exhibit in New York to consider the issue of Mexican
immigration, the border, and work through the lens of contemporary, urban artists.
Its organization has been inspired by the enormous growth in Mexican population in
New York – particularly in Brooklyn – in the last decade. In fact, the city’s Mexican
population has roughly sextupled since 1990.
- Elizabeth Ferrer, curator of the exhibition.
Still of Maquilopolis, a documentary by Vicky Funari and
Sergio de la Torre about the maquiladoras in Tijuana.
Status Report presents work by contemporary Mexican and Latino artists, highlighting
issues of immigration, the US/Mexican border and labor rights.
Participating artists were Margarita Cabrera, Vicky Funari, Christina Fernández, Coco
Fusco, Delilah Montoya and Mexicans Sergio de la Torre, Erika Harrsch, Pedro Lasch
and Dulce Pinzón.
MÉXICO 68 / CU: Book Presentation
October 7. Swiss Institute
In collaboration with the Swiss Institute, the Mexican Cultural Institute celebrated
the launch of México 68/CU, a two-volume book that brings together oral histories
and documentary photographs of pivotal movements in Mexican history. The book
combines two closely related art projects by Heidrun Holzfeind:
Mexico 68 investigates the impact the 1968 student movement had on Mexican
society, politics and culture in general, and on the lives of the participants in particular.
Conducted almost 40 years after the fact, the 18 interviews with former student
activists offer a diverse range of personal accounts, political and social analyses, as
well as reflections on the events that took place during that year.
CU (Mexico City, August 2006) is a personal portrait of “Ciudad Universitaria,” the
National University’s campus in Mexico City. The carefully composed shots of exterior
and interior views, architectural details, and early unpopulated hallways, classrooms
and walkways highlight Holzfeind’s interest in aging modernist structures, the
conceptualization of the campus as a modern “city” and the use of functionality in the
Mexican modernization project.
C.U. Photo by Heidrun Holzfeind. (Mexico City, August 2006)
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NEW YORK ART BOOK FAIR
October 2 - 4
PS1 Center for Contemporary Art
The New York Art Book Fair is Printed Matter’s annual sale of contemporary art books, catalogs, periodicals, and
magazines. Each year, approximately 3,000 visitors attend the fair. This year, Canada and Mexico participated as special
guests.
The Mexican Cultural Institute hosted the stand, Segunda Edición, in collaboration with the Carrillo Gil Museum to promote
the work of independent editorials of art books in Mexico.
Organized by Analía Solomonoff and Sofía Olascoaga, Segunda Edición presented a selection of 40 editorial projects
from artists such as Carla Herrera Prats, Erika Harrsch, Daniel Guzmán, Pablo Helguera, and Marco Arce, among others.
The publishing houses included Diamantina, MoNDao, ese diseño, Textofilia, Tumbona, La cartonera, La curtiduría, Pinto
books and Hecho en Oaxaca. Amb. Jorge Pinto and Minister Raúl Zorrilla at Segunda Edición.
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LEVELS OF NOTHINGNESS
Performance by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer
September 21
Guggenheim Museum
Mexican-born artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, inspired by Vasily Kandinsky’s Yellow
Sound (1912), created an interactive light performance where colors are activated
by the human voice. Actress Isabella Rossellini reads seminal philosophical texts
on skepticism, color, and perception while her voice is analyzed by computers that
control a full rig of rock-and-roll concert lighting. Audience members were able to
test the color-generating microphone.
Rafael Lozano-Hemmer is an artist who develops large-scale, interactive installations
in public spaces, usually employing new technologies and custom-made physical
interfaces. Using robotics, projections, sound, internet, cell-phone links, sensors and
other devices, his installations aim to provide “temporary anti-monuments for alien
agency.”
His work has been commissioned for events such as the Millennium Celebrations in
Mexico City (1999), the Cultural Capital of Europe in Rotterdam (2001), the United
Nations’ World Summit of Cities in Lyon (2003), the opening of the Yamaguchi Centre
for Art and Media in Japan (2003), the Expansion of the European Union in Dublin
(2004) and the 40th Anniversary of the 1968 Tlatelolco student demonstration in
Mexico City (2008).
Documentation of the performance.
Actress Isabella Rosellini and artist Rafael Lozano Hemmer.
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THE MEXICAN FASHION REVOLUTION: A lecture by Carla Fernández
September 17. Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology
September 16 to October 24. Apexart Gallery
With support from the Mexican Cultural Institute, Mexican designer Carla Fernández
traveled to the New York opening of the exhibit Fashion and Politics at the Museum of
the Fashion Institute of Technology.
The show featured a range of garments that demonstrate fashion’s role in propaganda
and political expression to raise awareness of social issues. Carla Fernández presented
the piece Adelita, inspired by women who fought in the Mexican Revolution. The piece
is now part of the museum’s permanent collection.
FIT also organized the lecture The Mexican Fashion Revolution, a lecture in which
Fernández discussed her project within the framework of social responsibility. She
spoke about using regional Mexican textiles to create fashionable, contemporary looks.
Fernandez´s work seeks to benefit indigenous communities.
Carla Fernandez explaining the work of Taller flora.
Her work was recently included in the exhibit A Way Beyond Fashion at Apexart
Gallery.
LO QUE NOS QUEDA / WHAT’S LEFT...WHAT REMAINS?: SITAC VI Book Presentation
Photo by Arturo Sánchez
October 2. Americas Society
Joan Jonas, Ute Meta Bauer, Patricia Sloane and Pablo Helguera.
Presented in collaboration with Americas Society, the presentation of the book,
What’s left...what remains? brought important contributions from the International
Symposium on Contemporary Art Theory (SITAC).
The speakers included Ute Meta Bauer (associate professor and director of the
Visual Arts Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Patricia Sloane (writer
and founding member of SITAC) and artists Joan Jonas and Pablo Helguera, who
moderated the conversation.
The objective of the presentation was to discuss the relevance of the annual
symposium organized by the Contemporary Art Patronage -held in Mexico since
2002- as well as to analyze its impact on the contemporary art scene. This was the
first presentation of the SITAC Book Series in the US.
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PINTA
The Modern & Contemporary Latin American Art Fair
November 19 – 22
Metropolitan Pavillion | Altman Building
In an effort to help Mexican artists to promote their work internationally, the Mexican Cultural Institute presented a talk
by Artemio, as well as a special project by New York-based artist Erika Harrsch at the PINTA Art Fair.
Artemio’s talk focused on his latest projects that were discussed in a conversation with curator Aldo Sánchez. Erika
Harrsch presented Borderless, an interactive installation depicting an elaborately conceived passport. The work suggests
an American continent absent of geopolitical borders, unifying Mexico, the United States and Canada.
Photo by Pablo Corradi
PINTA is a unique annual event that promotes Latin American art, and coincides with Christie’s and Sotheby’s Latin
American art auctions.
Art critic Eleanor Heartney,
winner of a Borderless passport.
Nusita, Artemio 2009.
Photo by Ernesto Mora
Mandala neon by Artemio 2009.
Artemio at his artist talk.
28
Borderless, Erika Harrsch 2009. Installation detail.
GABRIEL OROZCO: Retrospective Exhibition
December 13 - March 1
Museum of Modern Art
Photos by Julio César García
The Museum of Modern Art recognized the work of Mexican visual artist Gabriel Orozco with a retrospective curated by
Ann Temkin.
The exhibit showcases more than 80 pieces and is sponsored by Televisa and Mexico´s National Council for Culture and
Arts (CONACULTA).
The featured work includes photography, sculpture, installation and designs that are documented in a full color
catalog available at the museum. The exhibit opened to the general public on December 13 and will remain open
until March 1, 2010.
The largest piece is a 35 foot gray whale skeleton titled Mobile Matrix, commissioned by the Vasconcelos Library in
Mexico City in 2006. The whale bones are covered in graphite drawings and hangs from the MoMA´s atrium. The exhibit
also features Orozco´s famous checkered skeleton, Black Kites (1997).
For the opening, Amb. Rubén Beltrán together with MoMA hosted a luncheon to honor sponsors and special guests.
In attendance were Mexico´s First Lady, Margarita Zavala; Mexican Ambassador to the U.S., Arturo Sarukhán and the
President of Mexico´s National Council for Culture and Arts, Consuelo Sáizar.
Amb. Arturo Sarukhán and Mexico´s First Lady, Margarita Zavala being
welcomed by Glenn Lowry, Director of MoMA.
Photo by Ana C. Enríquez
Mrs. Margarita Zavala, Gabriel Orozco and Mrs. Consuelo Sáizar.
Mrs. Rosa María Beltrán, Amb. Rubén Beltrán, Mrs. Verónica Valencia de
Sarukhán, Amb. Arturo Sarukhán, Mrs. Nadine Jean, Mrs. Margarita Zavala
and Mr. Emilio Azcárraga Jean.
31
TRUE SELF: Group show with Mexican artist Amor Muñoz
October 24 – November 21. Jonathan Levine Gallery
True Self, curated by Gary Baseman, brings together the work of 41 artists who focus
their work on themselves and their obsessions. Unlike the self-portrait genre, Baseman
asked the artists to represent their true selves. The participation of Mexican artist
Amor Muñoz was made possible with support from the Mexican Cultural Institute.
Muñoz, who showed her work in 2007 at the Glassworks Gallery in Brooklyn, presented
two pieces in acrylic, Purity Castle I and II. Both pieces form part of the phospho-fluor
series in which Muñoz reflects on the question of perception through the use of
fluorescent material. Her work also experiments with drawing and printmaking using
unconventional media.
Purity Castle II, Amor Muñoz. Engraving on acrylic sheet.
GABRIEL OROZCO PUBLIC PROGRAMS
December 15 and February
Museum of Modern Art, Titus Theatre
The Mexican Cultural Institute and the Museum of Modern Art co-sponsored a lecture
by Gabriel Orozco and curator, Ann Temkin, on December 15 at the Titus Theater.
Orozco and Temkin discussed the process that they went through to elaborate the
curatorial discourse of the retrospective.
Mobile Matrix, Gabriel Orozco. Mexico 2006.
XICO
December 8, 2009. Studio in a School
Xico is the sculpture of a dog designed by Cristina Pineda. The piece was donated to
Studio in a School, a foundation created by Agnes Gund in 1977 whose mission is to
foster the creative development of underprivileged youth.
‘Xico’ or ‘Heart of Fire’ was made by artisans from the State of Guerrero. The name
derives from ‘xi’, which means fire, and ‘co’ meaning heart. The sculpture was
inspired by the mythological Aztec dog ‘Xoloitzcuintli,’ who is said to help souls reach
their resting place in the underworld.
The donation ceremony was attended by the First Lady of Mexico, Lic. Margarita
Zavala; the Consul General of México in New York, Amb. Ruben Beltrán and the
Mexican Ambassador to the U.S., Arturo Sarukhán.
Cristina Pineda during the donation ceremony.
32
film
HOLA MEXICO Film Festival
June 23-28
Quad Cinema
The Hola Mexico Film Festival premiered in the US in 2008 thanks to support from the Mexican Cultural Institute. This
year, the festival expanded to include Los Angeles and Chicago and next year it will reach Philadelphia and Miami. A total
of 14 Mexican films were screened and many actors and directors were present for Q&A sessions with the audience
following the screenings.
The opening night celebration was held at SOB’s in the West Village and featured a performance by the Mexican American rock band, Pistolera. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg recognized the festival for its importance in the city.
June 23
June 24, 25
June 24, 28
June 24,25
June 24, 26
June 24, 26
June 25, 27
June 25
June 25,26
June 26, 27
June 27, 27
June 27
June 28
June 28
Tear This Heart Out (Roberto Sneider, 2008)
Teo’s Journey (Walter Doehner, 2008)
The Desert Within (Rodrigo Plá, 2008)
Love, Pain and Viceversa (Alfonso Pineda, 2008)
Meet Juan Perez’s Head (Emilio Portes, 2008)
All inclusive (Rodrigo Ortúzar, 2008)
The Best of Feelings (Marcos Villasenor, 2009)
40 Days (Juan Carlos Martín. 2008)
A Tribute to Angelica María:
Cinco de chocolate y uno de fresa (Carlos Velo, 1967)
La verdadera vocación de Magdalena (Jaime H. Hermosillo, 1971)
The Old Thieves (Everardo González, 2007)
Another Egg Movie and a Chicken (Rodolpho & Gabriel Riva Palacio Alatriste, 2009)
Aurora Boreal (Sergio Tovar, 2008)
I’m Gonna Explode (Gerardo Naranjo, 2008)
Insignificant Things (Andrea Martínez, 2009)
Photo by Cutberto García
The festival also included a free screening of Meet the Head of Juan Perez at the Desalvio Playground in Soho, followed
by a Q&A with the director. In addition, a private screening of 40 Días (40 Days) by Juan Carlos Martín was presented
by The Mexican Professionals Network New York and the US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce.
I’m Gonna Explode poster.
Quad Cinema.
35
TEAR THIS HEART OUT: New York Premiere
March 24. 92Y Tribeca
The Mexican Cultural Institute and AltaVista films organized the New York premiere of
Tear This Heart Out (Mexico, 2008), a film based on the novel by Angeles Mastretta.
The film follows the story of a young girl through childhood up to her marriage to a
general in the Mexican Revolution. The film is a powerful account of post-revolutionary
Mexico from the female perspective.
After a Q&A with the film’s director Roberto Sneider, the public was invited to a
reception at 92Y Tribeca’s adjoining lounge room.
Mariana Mora, Executive Director of the Mexico Tourism Board;
Roberto Sneider, film director and Minister Raúl Zorrilla.
TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL
April 22 - May 4. AMC Village Theater
The Mexican Cultural Institute participated in this year’s inauguration of the Tribeca
Film Festival in the New York premiere of Carlos Cuarón’s Rudo y Cursi and Alonso
Ruizpalacio´s Café Paraíso. The premiere featured a Q&A with the directors and lead
actors, Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna. A celebration to honor Latin American filmmakers featured in the 2009 Tribeca Film
Festival was held at the De Santos Restaurant in the West Village. In addition, the
US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce and the Mexican Cultural Institute organized a
panel to discuss the benefits of investing in Mexican independent film. The panel
included Mexican actors Guillermo Iván Dueñas, Héctor Jimenez, and Aaron Díaz, and
producers Cindy Maser and Robert James Roessel.
Still of Café Paraíso by Alonso Ruizpalacio.
36
LAKE TAHOE: Special Screening
July 10. Anthology Film Archives
The Mexican Cultural Institute, Cinema Tropical and Film Movement hosted a special
screening of Lake Tahoe (Mexico, 2008), directed by Fernando Eimbcke. The film
tells the story of a teenage boy who crashes his family’s car into a telegraph pole on
the outskirts of town, then scours the streets in search of help. His quest brings him
to a host of characters: Don Heber, a paranoid mechanic whose only companion is
Sica, his boxer dog; Lucía, a young mother convinced that her real place in life is as
a lead singer in a punk band; and finally, “The One Who Knows,” a teenage mechanic
obsessed with martial arts and Kung Fu philosophy.
The day after the screening, the audience was invited to join Eimbcke at the New
Museum of Contemporary Art where he was interviewed by Gavin Smith, editor of
Film Comment magazine.
Minister Raúl Zorrilla and film director
Fernando Eimbcke.
LA NAVE DE LOS MONSTRUOS: Public Screening
June 20. Prospect Park, Brooklyn
As part of the “Mexico Series” of the Celebrate Brooklyn! Music and Arts Festival,
the film La Nave De Los Monstrous (Rogelio A. González, 1959) was presented by
Cinema Tropical and the Mexican Cultural Institute at the Prospect Park Bandshell.
The screening was accompanied by the rock-infused, postclassical string quartet,
Ethel and the wild art-rock group, Gutbucket who teamed up to perform an original
score. In the film, (whose cast includes Lorena Velázquez, Ana Bertha Lepe and
Eulalio González Piporro), the last male on Venus has died, and two Venusian beauties
embark on a quest to find men on other planets.
The bands had premiered their work as part of a project at the BRIClab Residency
Program during the spring.
La nave de los monstruos was originally part of El Futuro Más Acá: The Future South
of the Border, a film series presented in 2008 by the Institute and Cinema Tropical
at 92Y Tribeca.
La nave de los monstruos at Prospect Park.
37
ÉSTA ES LA ONDA:
A Tribute to Angélica María
June 25 & 26
Quad Cinema
She went from being Youth’s Sweetheart to Mexico’s Sweetheart without anybody challenging that title,
and from that moment on, she has been a legendary protagonist of Mexican culture.
- José Agustín
Photos by Cutberto García
As part of the Hola Mexico Film Festival, the Mexican Cultural Institute organized a tribute to celebrate the accomplished
career of actrees and singer Angélica María. The widely publicized event featured screenings of Cinco de chocolate y
uno de fresa (Carlos Velo, 1967) and La verdadera vocación de Magdalena (Jaime Humberto Hermosillo, 1971). Amb.
Rubén Beltrán presented the actress with a commemorative plaque in recognition of her indispensable contribution to
Mexican culture.
Angélica María has been an inspiration to many La onda literary works including: José Agustín´s short story, Cuál es la
onda (1968); the book, El rock de la cárcel (1984); Parménides García Saldaña´s Pasto verde (1968); Luis Zapata´s novel,
La hermana secreta de Angélica María (1989); and short stories, Una porra para la Ortiz (2000-2007) and Souvenirs,
Souvenirs (2000-2007). She has also appeared in movies, soap operas, TV series, theater and musicals. She sings rock,
ballads, rancheras and boleros. A true household name, Angélica María is best known as “Mexico’s Sweetheart.”
The tribute featured speakers such as journalist and film critic, Edgardo Reséndiz, who gave a detailed account of the
influence the artist has had in Latin America. In addition, the event included the reading of a letter by Mexican writer, Luis
Zapata, in which he expresses his admiration for the actress’ contributions to television, film and literature.
Following the screening of Cinco de chocolate y uno de fresa, Angélica María answered questions from the audience and
explained the social and political context of Mexico in 1967, the year the film was produced.
Film critic Edgardo Reséndiz, Angélica María, Amb. Rubén Beltrán
and Minister Raúl Zorrilla.
38
MEXICAN CINEMA AND LITERATURE
Film Series
September 2 – October 14
Instituto Cervantes Nueva York
The Mexican Cultural Institute and the Instituto Cervantes de Nueva York celebrated the union of literature and cinema
with the screening of five films inspired on the work of Mexican and Latin American writers of the 20th century.
The films were screened every Wednesday at 6 pm. After the screening of Pedro Páramo, Mexican critic and writer
Naief Yehya discussed the reception of the film by audiences in 1966, and the fact that it was considered as the national
cultural project of that year.
Sept 2
Sept 9
Sept 16 Oct 7
Oct 14
Doña Bárbara (Fernando de Fuentes, 1943)
Los Albañiles (Jorge Fons, 1976)
La Rosa Blanca (Roberto Gavaldón, 1961)
Santa (Antonio Moreno, 1931)
Pedro Páramo (Carlos Velo, 1966)
Film critic Naief Yehya introducing Pedro Páramo.
María Félix as Doña Bárbara
41
LATINBEAT FILM FESTIVAL
September 9 – September 24
Walter Reade Theater, Lincoln Center
In its 12th year running, the Latinbeat Film Festival partnered with the Mexican Cultural Institute to present five films
from Mexico.
The festival opened with Cinco días sin Nora (Five Days Without Nora) by Mariana Chenillo. Other Mexican films in this
year’s program included Arráncame la vida / Tear This Heart Out (Roberto Sneider, 2008) and the New York premieres
of La última y nos vamos / One for the Road (Eva López Sánchez, 2009), Intimidades de Shakespeare y Víctor Hugo
/ Shakespeare and Victor Hugo’s Intimacies (Yulene Olaizola, 2008) and, in collaboration with Celebrate Mexico Now
Festival, El General / The General (Natalia Almada, 2008).
Shakespeare and Victor Hugo’s Intimacies Poster
Film director Natalia Almada and Marcela Goglio.
42
Film director Mariana Chenillo and Marcela Goglio, director of Latin Beat
TILL THE LAST DROP… MY HEART: Film Screening
July 21. 92Y Tribeca
Chayito Valdéz in Till the Last Drop... My Heart.
The Mexican Cultural Institute and Cinema Tropical collaborated in the presentation
of Hasta el último trago… corazón (Till the Last Drop… My Heart). Featuring some of
the most influential female voices in Mexican music, the film is a declaration of love
for Mexico and its rich culture.
This endearing documentary showcases singers such as the legendary Chavela
Vargas, Lila Downs, La Negra Graciana, Eugenia León, Astrid Hadad, Iraida Noriega
and Chayito Valdéz, who are interviewed on topics ranging from their music to their
thoughts on politics, love, relationships and equality intermingled with oftentimes
powerful concert footage. From the postmodern Astrid Hadid to the blues singer Iraida
Noriega, Gomez films them at home and onstage and the result is an appreciation
of their completely divergent sounds. Eugenia León possesses a quiet power that’s
seductive onstage while seeing La Negra Graciana at home and with her family
proves just as entertaining as watching her perform.
Carlos Gutiérrez director of Cinema Tropical
and film director Beto Gómez.
NO TURNING BACK: Special Screening
October 29. Goldcrest Studios
The US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce and the Mexican Cultural Institute presented
No Turning Back, a film by Mexican director Guillermo Iván Dueñas.
The film tells the story of two friends who make a decision that has tragic
consequences.
The screening took place at the Goldcrest film studios. After the film, the audience
had the opportunity to speak with the filmmaker and part of the cast.
Actor and film director Guillermo
Iván at the screening.
44
performing arts
MEMORIAS DEL PASAGUERO
Book presentation
March 28
New Museum of Contemporary Art
Memorias del Pasaguero 2004-2008 is a book that compiles a series of photographs,
interviews and testimonies of the musicians and artists who has performed or shown
their work in Pasaguero in the past four years such as Ali gua gua (Ultrasónicas,
Kumbia Queers), María Daniela y su Sonido Lasser and Kinky, among others. Attended
by more than 200 people, the book was presented by Ricardo Pandal, founder of
Pasaguero, who pointed out the arduous work of the Centro Histórico Foundation in
Mexico City in promoting music, the arts and literature.
The event took place in the skyroom of the New Museum overlooking the Lower East
Side thanks to the collaboration of the museum and the Institute. The book, designed
by Mexican artist Adriana Lara, was also presented in Mexico City and Japan.
Ricardo Pandal founder of Pasaguero giving
the welcoming remarks.
46
VOCAL MIGRATIONS: Multimedia Show
January 2 – 11. La MaMa, Experimental Theatre Company
Vocal Migrations: To Understand or Not to Understand by Mexican composer Tareke
Ortiz premiered at the experimental theater, La MaMa, in early January. With six
sold-out performances, the multimedia show featured contemporary instrumentalchoral music performed live with indigenous Totonaca dances. The Totonacas are an
indigenous group from the State of Veracruz.
Vocal Migrations features the first generation of artists from the Center for the
Indigenous Arts of Tajín, created in 2008 in order to promote Totonaca culture. Part of
the proceeds from the shows was donated to a scholarship fund for future students
of the Center.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF PERFORMING ARTS (APAP)
January 9 - 13. New York Hilton Hotel
Robyn Archer, Jeremy Nowak, Kenny Leon
and Rafael Lozano-hemmer at the opening
conference
The Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) held its 54th annual conference
this year. More than 4,000 performers, presenters and managers participated in the
conference, creating a global network with colleagues from around the world.
Mexico was represented by a group of 70 delegates from different Mexican states.
The Mexican delegation was headed by the deputy president for the Council for
Culture and the Arts (CNCA), Álvaro Hegewisch; the director of the National Institute
of Fine Arts (INBA), Teresa Franco; the director of the National Center for the Arts,
Benjamín Juárez and the executive director of the Mexican Cultural Institute. The
Mexican Cultural Institute coordinated the participation of the delegates as well
as the rental of a stand for the participants to distribute materials to international
promoters and festival directors.
The opening session of the conference featured Mexican artist, Rafael LozanoHemmer, who discussed some of his own public art projects.
hotINK, International Festival of Play Reading
January 24 - February 1st. Tisch School of the Arts. New York University
hotINK is an annual, international festival of play readings, presented by the
Department of Drama of NYU, that brings together playwrights from around the world
with distinguished actors and directors from the New York theatre, as well as students,
alumni and faculty from the Tisch School of the Arts.
This year’s edition of the festival included the participation of Mexican playwright,
Ximena Escalante, who presented her renowned play Real Andrómaca, translated
into English and performed by 14 actors. Escalante was invited to the festival along
with 24 authors from other 10 countries: Australia, Canada, Chile, USA, France, Britain,
Japan, Libya, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
The participation of Ximena Escalante was made possible thanks to the Mexican
Cultural Institute.
47
WHAT I LEARNED FROM BALANCHINE:
Book presentation by Gloria Contreras
May 18
The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center
Organized by the Mexican Cultural Institute, the presentation of the book What I Learned from Balanchine: Diary of a
Choreographer by Mexican ballet dancer and choreographer Gloria Contreras, was held at the New York Public Library
for the Performing Arts.
The director of the library, Alan Rally, gave the welcoming remarks and recapped Ms. Contreras’ experiences as student
of the distinguished Russian choreographer, George Balanchine. During the event, the Consul General of Mexico,
Ambassador Rubén Beltrán, congratulated Ms. Contreras on her book and talked about her important trajectory in the
dance world.
Ms. Contreras read various excerpts from the book, (originally written in Spanish and translated to English by Daniel
Shapiro), that describe her professional relationship with Balanchine and the influence that his techniques have had on
her dancing career. Upon her return to Mexico in 1970, she founded the Taller coreográfico de la UNAM, which continues
under her direction today.
Gloria Contreras, Gregorio Luke and guest dancers during the presentation.
49
BUTTER AND FLY: INTENDS TO WALK
Choreography by Da Da Dance Project
July 30 - August 1
Joyce Soho
With support from the Mexican Cultural Institute, the New York City and Mexicobased dance company Da Da Dance Project, presented Butter and Fly: Intends
to Walk. The performance featured four intense, physical works by international
choreographers Eun Jung Choi-Gonzalez (Korea), Guillermo Ortega Tanús (Mexico)
and Helena Franzén (Sweden).
Enhanced by original vocal, acoustic, percussion and electronic scores by Andrew
Drury (New York), Alban Bailly (France/Philadelphia), Valentina González (Mexico) and
Jukka Rintamäki (Sweden/Finland), the works feature an eclectic array of organized
photo by Steven Schreiber
noise that were executed before a theatre filled to its maximum capacity.
Ortega Tanús and Choi-Gonzalez at Joyce Soho.
50
TATIANA ZUGAZAGOITIA Creative Movement Workshop
February 16 - 20. Performing Arts Studio
Mexican-born dancer Tatiana Zugazagoitia was invited by the Performing Arts Studio
of Lindenhurst, NY, to direct a creative movement workshop supported by the Mexican
Cultural Institute. The program was initially conceived for dance students from the Mexican and Latin
American community. The main purpose of this event was to promote dance as an
educational tool for cultural integration and creative expression.
DECOMPOSITION: Play by Alfonso Cárcamo
February 26 - 28 . LARK Play Development Center
Originally written in Spanish by Mexican playwright Alfonso Cárcamo, Decomposition
was translated and later performed at the LARK Play Development Center Theater
thanks to the work of the US / Mexico Playwright Exchange Program and the
collaborative effort of LARK, Fondo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes (FONCA) and
the Mexican Cultural Institute.
Cárcamo’s play was one of the four Mexican works translated by American and
Mexican theater professionals and presented in New York in November, 2008. The
play was made into a theatrical production in 2009.
Decomposition describes the diverse stages of the crumbling friendship between two
Mexican men from different social classes struggling to achieve their aspirations. In
the end they realize that their souls, just like their bodies, experience the process of
decomposition.
Decomposition was presented in August by The Internationalists Directors Collective
and the Institute at three different venues: St. Mary’s Church in the Bronx, LaGuardia
Performing Arts Center in Queens and LARK Play Development Center in Manhattan.
Alfonso Cárcamo and actors of the play.
HEAR ME WITH THE EYES: Multidisciplinary Show
April 2 – 12. La MaMa, Experimental Theatre Company
Hear Me With the Eyes (Óyeme con los ojos) is a multidisciplinary flamenco
performance conceived as a homage to Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Directed by
flamenco dancer María Elena Anaya and dancer and choreographer of modern
dance Jorge Chanona, the spectacle was presented at the world-renowned La MaMa
Experimental Theatre Company.
Jorge Chanona and María Elena Anaya.
51
CELEBRATE MEXICO NOW FESTIVAL
September 8 - 15
In its 6th year running, the Celebrate Mexico Now festival featured a variety of cultural events involving music, dance,
literature, film and gastronomy. Partner institutions and venues included the King Juan Carlos I Center of Spain Center at
New York University, Latinbeat Film Festival at Lincoln Center, Joe´s Pub and the School of Visual Arts.
The Mexican Cultural Institute supported the following festival programs:
Mexican High. Book presentation by Liza Monroy at the King Juan Carlos I Center at New York University.
Magos Herrera. Jazz concert at Joe´s Pub.
Winners of the 2008 Morelia Film Festival. Directors of short films discussed their work after a series of screenings
at the School of Visual Arts.
Mexican Independence Celebration. Official celebration by the Consulate General of Mexico in New York at Cadman
Plaza, Brooklyn.
Sweetelectra. CD release concert at Joe´s Pub.
El General. Screening of the film directed by Natalia Almada at the Walter Reade Theatre as part of the Latinbeat Film
Festival. photo by Steven Schreiber
Colectivo Doszeta. Performance of Mexican choreographer, Carlos Velázquez, at Joyce Soho.
Purple waves... (fading red), choreography by
Carlos Velázquez excecuted by Colectivo Doszeta.
Sweetelectra at Joe’s Pub.
Amb. Rubén Beltrán and Liza Monroy at the
book launch of Mexican High.
52
THE WORD EXCHANGE
U.S./México Playwright Exchange Program
NOVEMBER 15-23. Lark Play Development Center
The Word Exchange is a 10-day residency and theatrical dialogue between four Mexican playwrights, four US
playwrights, and the Lark community. It was created as a yearly program by LARK and FONCA with the support
of the Mexican Cultural Institute in 2006. Through the translation of new Mexican plays, the development of these
plays with established US artists, and New York cultural exploration, the program established ongoing channels of
communication and collaboration between artists in the US and México.
This year’s program featured Mexican playwrights Noé Morales, Irela de Villers, Edgar Álvarez and Elena Guiochins.
A public reading of the plays took place at the Atlantic Theatre Company at the end of the residency, with an attendance
of more than 300 people. Founded in 1994, the Lark is a laboratory for new voices and ideas, providing American and international playwrights
with indispensable resources to develop their work, nurturing artists at all stages of their careers, and inviting them
to freely express themselves in a supportive and rigorous environment. By reaching across international boundaries,
the Lark seeks out and embraces new and diverse perspectives from writers in all corners of the world. With the aim
to integrate audiences into the creative process from its initial stages, the Lark brings together actors, directors and
playwrights to allow writers to learn about their own work by seeing it—and by receiving feedback from a dedicated
and supportive community.
photo by Adrián Martínez
The presence of the playwrights and their welcome reception was made possible thanks to support from the Institute.
Gourmet Homicide: Or The Fine Art of Murder by Edgar Álvarez.
Michael Robertson, Managing Director of LARK;
Minister Raúl Zorrilla, and playwright Noé Morales.
54
Public reading of Quetzalcoalt Puddle by Irella de Villers.
THE MARSHMALLOW RITUAL: Performance by La congelada de uva
July 10. Grace Exhibition Space
Performance artist Rocío Boliver, aka La congelada de uva, performed The
Marshmallow Ritual at the Grace Exhibition Space in Brooklyn.
As a corollary to the retrospective XV Years and Still a Virgin, organized for Boliver by
the National Institute of Fine Arts in Mexico, the Mexican Cultural Institute provided
support for her performance in Brooklyn. The artist’s work tests the limits of her body,
placing her in one of the most radical branches of artistic expression: body art.
ANJOU: Play by the Thomas Jefferson Musical Theatre Company
October 8 – 12. The Theatre at St. Clement’s
The New York Musical Theatre Festival and the Thomas Jefferson Musical Theatre
Company (based in Mexico City) presented the Mexican pop-musical, Anjou: A Tale
of Horror, by Guillermo Méndez and Lupita Sandoval. The musical, directed and
choreographed by Edgardo Lar, was performed in spanish with english supertitles.
After the opening show, the Mexican Cultural Institute offered a reception in the
theatre´s lobby for the actors and special guests.
LA MUERTE ME PELA LOS DIENTES by Susana Alexander
October 31. El Museo del Barrio
In collaboration with El Museo del Barrio and the Mexican Cultural Institute, Mexican
actress Susana Alexander performed her one-woman show on love transcending
death.
In this humorous monologue, Alexander takes on the role of death, reflecting on the
ways in which death is perceived in Mexico. She recounts fictitious stories of mortals
who are either waiting to die or not paying attention to death at all. The show featured
the reading of a series of poems by authors such as Jorge Manrique, Jaime Sabines
and Santa Teresa de Jesús. Each poem touched on the theme of death from a different
perspective: the mystical, the philosophical and the quotidian.
Susana Alexander at El Museo del Barrio.
56
literature
READING/WRITING MEXICO SERIES
City College of New York
Christopher Domínguez Michael. February 25
Rafael Lemus. March 25
Daniel Sada and Álvaro Enrigue. May 3
The City College of New York and the Mexican Cultural Institute presented a series of conferences coordinated by the
New York-based writer, Carmen Boullosa. The conferences were part of the CCNY’s M.A. Program in Hispanic Literature
and featured Mexican writers Christopher Domínguez Michael, Rafael Lemus, Daniel Sada and Álvaro Enrigue.
The first lecture was given by Christopher Domínguez Michael, winner of the Xavier Villaurrutia Prize. He talked about
Mexican literature today and his experiences as an author, critic and magazine editor. The students were given the
opportunity to discuss doubts and concerns about their own literary works with the author after the lecture.
Essayist and literary critic Rafael Lemus is a regular contributor to the magazine Letras libres. His first book of short
stories, Informe, was published by Tusquets Editorial in 2007. Lemus talked about being a critic and the different aspects
of the editorial industry. He expressed his concern that the current rhythm of the editorial industry has affected the
quality of much of the work produced: “the public demands certain literature and the industry provides it… The author
must write because he wants to, regardless of the demands of the reader or the critic.”
The lecture by Álvaro Enrigue recounted his experiences as a literary critic, as the editor of Letras libres and as a
professor of literature at the Universidad Iberoamericana and the University of Maryland. Daniel Sada’s lecture included
a reading from one of his short stories in the anthology The Best of Contemporary Mexican Fiction, as well as a short
story included in an upcoming publication on narco corridos.
Rafael Lemus
Christopher Domínguez
59
HERNÁN BRAVO at La Casita
August 9
Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors Festival
Following a proposal by the Mexican Cultural Institute of New York, Mexican poet
Hernan Bravo was invited to read at La Casita: A Home for the Heart. La Casita is a
series of performances where poets and bands celebrate oral tradition.
Bravo is a young Mexican poet, essayist, literary critic and translator. He has published
three books of poetry and two collections of literary essays, the latest one published
just this year under the title, Los orillados (The Outlying).
In 1999, Bravo won Mexico’s National Prize for Younger Poets, the most prestigious
award for Mexican poets under 30, and was the 2007 first runner-up in Mexico’s
National Prize for Younger Literary Essayists. Between 2004 and 2009, he
received four grants from Mexico’s National Fund for Culture and the Arts and the
Mexican Literature Foundation.
His work has been translated into English, French and German, and has been included
in Mexican and Latin American poetry anthologies, most notably, And the River is
Wide: Twenty Mexican Poets, published in 2005 by the University of New Mexico
Press.
His translations of English poets—from William Shakespeare and Emily Dickinson to
Anna Moschovakis and Adam Kirsch—will be published in Mexico and Spain.
Hernán Bravo at La Casita.
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BOOK OF CLOUDS: Book Presentation
March 10. Idlewild Bookstore
The Mexican Cultural Institute organized the presentation of Books of Clouds, the first
novel by Mexican author Chloe Aridjis. The author read excerpts from her work and
participated in a Q&A with the audience.
Book of Clouds is a suspense novel about a young woman living in Berlin. A string
of fateful encounters leads her to romance, violence, and revelation. The book was
reviewed by The New York Times and Time Out New York. ROCÍO CERÓN & RODRIGO TOSCANO: Poetry Reading
March 12. King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center, New York University
New York University and the Mexican Cultural Institute presented a poetry reading
with Mexican and Mexican-American writers, Rocío Cerón and Rodrigo Toscano.
The lecture was part of the King Juan Carlos Poetry Series presented by graduate
students in the M.A in Creative Writing in Spanish Program and was moderated by
Lila Zemborain.
Rocío Cerón reading her poems.
Rocío Cerón (Mexico City, 1972) has published Basalto (ESN-CONACULTA, 2002), for
which she received the 2000 Gilberto Owen National Prize for Literature, and Imperio
(Monte Carmelo, 2008). She is also the editor of Ediciones El billar de Lucrecia. Her
work has been translated into English and German.
Rodrigo Toscano’s lasest book, Collapsible Poetics Theater, was selected for the
National Poetry Series in 2008. His poetry has been published in Best American
Poetry 2004, McSweeney’s Poets Picking Poets, War and Peace Anthology, In the
Criminal’s Cabinet, and Diasporic Avant-Gardes: Experimental Poetics and Cultural
Displacement (Palgrave/Mcmillan; currently in press). His work has been translated
to French, German, Italian and Spanish.
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THE BEST OF CONTEMPORARY MEXICAN FICTION: Book Presentation
PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature
Álvaro Enrigue & Daniel Sada Reading
May 1
Instituto Cervantes
The fifth edition of the prestigious PEN World Voices Festival featured 160 authors from 40 different countries around
the world. The authors gave lectures in venues across the city for six days of conversations, panels, performances and
readings.
Mexico was represented by Álvaro Enrigue and Daniel Sada who were invited by the Mexican Cultural Institute to
participate in the presentation of the book, The Best of Contemporary Mexican Fiction, a bilingual anthology of Mexican
narrative. The authors read excerpts from the book in spanish, followed by readings of the same text in English by the respective
translators. The presentation was moderated by Martin Riker, editor of the book.
The Best of Contemporary Mexican Fiction is a landmark anthology in which 16 of Mexico’s leading writers offer a
glimpse of the rich tapestry that is contemporary Mexican fiction.
Martin Riker, Daniel Sada, Olivia Sears and Álvaro Enrigue.
Martin Riker and Daniel Sada.
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BEFORE SAYING ANY OF THE GREAT WORDS: Book Presentation
Photo by Arturo Sánchez
April 7. Americas Society
The Mexican Cultural Institute and Americas Society co-hosted the presentation of
the book Before Saying Any of the Great Words: Selected Poems by David Huerta. This
is the first bilingual edition of the book that contains a wide selection of work by the
Mexican poet.
David Huerta read selected texts in Spanish while the book’s translator, Mark Schafer,
read them in English.
David Huerta.
MANGO STREET: 25 YEARS LATER
April 27. Instituto Cervantes
The Mexican Cultural Institute and the Instituto Cervantes de Nueva York co-hosted
a lecture with writers Elena Poniatowska and Sandra Cisneros to celebrate the 25th
anniversary of the publication of Cisnero’s The House on Mango Street.
Elena Poniatowska, the book’s translator, introduced Chicago-born Cisneros as an
icon of Mexican-American literature. She also highlighted the importance of The
House on Mango Street, which has sold over 4 million copies and is a required text
for many high schools throughout the US.
Elena Poniatowska and Sandra Cisneros.
CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS FOR MEXICAN IMMIGRANT WRITERS
July - December. Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture Without Borders
The Creative Writing Workshop for Mexican Immigrant Writers is an initiative of Mano
a Mano: Mexican Culture without Borders in collaboration with the New York Writers
Coalition and the Mexican Cultural Institute. The group was led by Mary Ellen Sanger,
a writer with a deep commitment to Mexico. Over the course of a year, 40 writers
from New York City, Westchester County and New Jersey attended this program. The
group has participated in two public readings and as a result of the workshop, they
will publish a selection of writings.
Participant writers.
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MARGO GLANTZ: COLLECTED WORKS
Book Presentation
October 21
King Juan Carlos I of Spain, New York University
Mexican writer Margo Glantz presented Obras reunidas, a two-volume book of her
collected works. Obras Reunidas was published by the Fondo de Cultura Economica
(FCE) and was presented thanks to the efforts of New York University, the FCE, and the
Mexican Cultural Institute.
The event was held at the King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center at New York University
and was moderated by Sylvia Molloy, director of the M.A. in Creative Writing in Spanish
at NYU; Diamela Eltit, professor of Spanish and Portuguese and Margo Glantz.
Volume I of the book, Essays on Colonial Literature, includes texts on the chronicles
during colonization as well as reflections on Sor Juana, her life and her religious and
political speeches. Volume II contains narrations such as Las genealogías, El día de tu
boda and De la amorosa inclinación a enredarse en cabellos.
During the presentation, Sylvia Molloy stressed the importance of Glantz’s work not
only to Latin American literature, but as a narrator of literature produced during the
colonial period. Diamela Eltit discussed the vastness of Glantz’s fiction, as well as the
impact her work has had on younger generations of writers like José Emilio Pacheco,
Gustavo Sainz, and José Agustín, among others.
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THE AURA ESTRADA PRIZE
“The Aura Estrada prize will be awarded to young women writers who are at the beginning of their career. To honor
her memory, the prize will be awarded to writers who share many of the qualities that distinguished Aura’s own
output. Though she did not have time to produce a great deal, the texts she did write evince a concern for language
that is unusual in so young a writer. In her precision, clarity, sense of humor and, above all, her ability to confound
expectations, her work immediately let readers know that this was an outstanding new voice, like that of a young
singer. It was a voice that would one day have taken on real splendor, its own timber and specific register, thanks
to her innate talent and unflagging drive -the all-important ingredient- as well as to a vulnerable audacity that
would have taken her very far.”
-Margo Glantz, President of the Jury
The Mexican Cultural Institute and writers Paul Auster, Gabriel García Márquez and Salman Rushdie have taken part in
the launching of a literary prize in the name of Mexican writer, Aura Estrada, who died on July 25, 2007.
The Institute is the fiscal sponsor of the prize. The first Aura Estrada Prize was announced at the Oaxaca Book Fair in
November, 2009 and was awarded to Susana García Iglesias for her book, Barracuda.
The Aura Estrada Prize is an initiative by writer Frank Goldman and will be awarded bi-annually to female writers under
35 years old who live in Mexico or the US and write creative prose (fiction or nonfiction) in Spanish. It will include a
stipend and residency at three writer’s colonies: Ucross in Wyoming, Ledig House in New York, and Santa Maddalena in
Tuscany, Italy. Granta en Español will also publish an excerpt of the winner‘s writing.
Gabriel García Márquez and Francisco Goldman announcing the Aura Estrada
Prize at the Book Fair of Guadalajara 2008.
Margo Glantz, Vivián Abenshunshán, Susana García Iglesias -recipient of The Aura Estrada Prize-, Gabriela Jáuregui,
Mónica de la Torre, Cristina Rivera Garza and Francisco Goldman. (Cortar al tipo de la izquierda)
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YANKEE INVASION: Book Presentation
November 6. McNally Jackson Books
The Mexican Cultural Institute and McNally Jackson Books co-hosted the presentation
of the book Yankee Invasion: A Novel of Mexico City, by Ignacio Solares. The author
was accompanied by the book’s editor, Ian Leask, its translator, Timothy Thompson
and historian, Paul Ross.
The book centers on one of the most traumatic periods of Mexican history: the
1847 American invasion of Mexico City, which resulted in Mexico losing nearly half
its territory. Abelardo, the narrator, is haunted by an act of resistance he committed
against an American soldier. Now an old man, he painfully recalls his love for his
fiancée—and her mother.
The English version features an introduction by Carlos Fuentes and highlights the
author’s ability to present both historical fact and fiction with great objectivity. During
the presentation, the author read several excerpts from the book with a translation
by Thompson. Historian Paul Ross gave a detailed description of 19th century Mexico
during the Mexican-American war.
The event concluded with a Q&A and a reception hosted by the Institute.
Paul Ross, Ignacio Solares and Timothy Thompson.
PEDRO SERRANO in Conversation with Mónica de la Torre
November 12. McNally Jackson Books
Mexican poet, Pedro Serrano, presented his new book Nueces (México, Trilce Ediciones,
2009), at McNally Jackson Books in Soho. Mónica de la Torre held a conversation with
the author about the nature of his work in spanish and english.
Pedro Serrano and Mónica de la Torre.
Pedro Serrano was born in 1957 in Montreal. He studied at the University of Mexico
and at the University of London and has published five books of poems: El miedo
(1986), Ignorancia (1994), Tres poemas (2000), Turba (2005) Desplazamientos (2006)
and Nueces (2009). He was recipient of the Guggenheim fellowship in 2007. Serrano
teaches poetry and translation at the National University of Mexico. He is the editor of
Periódico de Poesía, an online poetry journal.
Mónica De la Torre is the author of the poetry books, Talk Shows (Switchback, 2007),
Acúfenos, a collection in Spanish published in 2006 by Taller Ditoria, and Public Domain
(Roof Books, 2008). She writes about art and culture for publications in Mexico and
the US, and is co-author of the artist book Appendices, Illustrations & Notes. She is a
NYFA 2009 Fellow in poetry and the senior editor of BOMB Magazine.
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music
JUAN PABLO HORCASITAS
Piano Concert
March 28
Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall
Mexican pianist Juan Pablo Horcasitas, interpreted works by Bach, Granados, Prokofiev and Gershwin/Wild at a sold-out
performance at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.
The concert included choral preludes by Johann S. Bach, the Sonata op. 110 by Ludwig van Beethoven, La Maja and El
Ruiseñor by Enrique Granados, extracts from Romeo and Juliet by Sergei Prokofiev, three melodies by George Gershwin
and Two Motions in One Movement by Mexican composer, Samuel Zyman, who was in attendance.
70
Juan Pablo Horcasitas at the Weill Recital Hall.
AMANDITITITA
May 5. SOB’s
Amandititita “The Queen of Anarcumbia,” gave a special Cinco de Mayo performance
at Sounds of Brazil (SOB’s). Born Amanda Escalante in Mexico City, she is the daughter of musician and poet
Rodrigo Gonzalez. She came into the public eye in 2007 as a performer of what she
calls the ‘Anarcho-Cumbia’ -an urban blend of reggae, rap, and traditional Mexican
cumbia- with hits such as La mataviejitas, Metrosexual and La muy muy.
PANTEON ROCOCÓ
May 11. Highline Ballroom
Panteón Rococó is a ska band from Mexico City. While the group is already quite
well-known in Mexico, they have been touring Europe during the past several years.
The band has a particular following in Germany, where their European Label, Übersee
Records, is located.
The music blends rock, punk, salsa, cumbia, mariachi, reggae, ska, and mestizo
music to produce an energetic, groovy sound.
An interview with Dr. Shenka, the group’s frontman, was broadcast in Dialogando con
México, the radio program of the Mexican Consulate.
EL TRI
August 30. Webster Hall
To celebrate their 40 years in music, Mexico’s legendary group, EL TRI, gave a concert
in New York City’s Webster Hall before an audience of approximately 2,000 people.
Led by Alex Lora, the group is considered one of the best Mexican rock bands of all
time.
An interview with Alex Lora was broadcast in Dialogando con México, the radio
program of the Mexican Consulate.
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TERESA ESTRADA: Concert & Book Presentation
May 23
Hecho en Dumbo, Brooklyn
Teresa Estrada, a Mexican-born composer, singer, guitarist, sociologist and writer,
gave a concert at Mexican restaurant Hecho en Dumbo in Brooklyn. Her blend of
blues, rock, jazz, funk and Latin beats has made her one of the most distinguished
artists on the Mexican rock scene.
Prior to touring as a solo artist, Estrada formed part of the groups La Fábrica Azul,
Follaje, Entenados del Enjambre, Esquina Bajan and Edén Subterráneo. She has
recorded six albums.
In addition to Estrada’s concert, the Mexican Cultural Institute also supported the
presentation of her book, Sirens on the Attack. History of Mexican Women Rockers
1956-2006, held on May 25th at the East Harlem Café in New York. The book is a
detailed investigation of women who have had significant impact on the history of
rock music in Mexico.
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ENRICO CHAPELA AND GABRIELA ORTIZ
June 5
Graduate Center of CUNY
The Mexican Cultural Institute supported the premiere of Mexican composers Enrico
Chapela and Gabriela Ortiz along with work by composers from Spain, Argentina and
Chile at New Paths in Music’s Hispanic Festival. The festival was created to promote
living composers whose work has never been showcased in the U.S. This year, New
Paths in Music celebrated its fifth year running.
Under the conduction of David Alan Miller, Música irracional by Chapela and Vitrales
de ámbar by Ortiz were interpreted by The New Paths Ensemble.
Enrico Chapela is currently working on his PhD in Paris. He has been commissioned
for the composition of diverse works by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the New
Music Ensemble of Tallin, Estonia and the New Paths in Music Ensemble.
Gabriela Ortiz is one of Mexico’s leading young composers and she currently teaches
at the University of Mexico in Mexico City. Her numerous awards include the John
Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship and her compositions have been performed
by The Los Angeles Philharmonic and Kronos Quartet.
Maria Elena Cabezut, Deputy Director of The Mexican Cultural
Institute and Enrico Chapela.
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DON FALLO FIGUEROA AND SON CANDELA
August 9
La Casita at Lincoln Center
Queens Theather in the Park
August 10
Symphony Space
Photo by Arturo Sánchez
Every summer the Mexican Cultural Institute is invited by the Lincoln Center Out-of
Doors Festival to select a Mexican artist to be part of La casita: A Home for the Heart.
This year, the Veracruz sonero, Don Fallo Figueroa, performed with the group, Son
Candela. Rafael “Don Fallo” Figueroa has been a leading figure in son jarocho for decades.
Son jarocho is a traditional style of music from Veracruz, a State along the Gulf of
Mexico. It represents a fusion of indigenous (primarily Huastecan), Spanish and
African musical elements, reflecting the population that has evolved in the region
since Spanish colonial times. Don Fallo moves effortlessly from jarocho classics like
La Bamba to 21st-century innovations that put a global spin on this age-old genre,
including Figueroa’s unique addition of the double bass. Joining him were the up-andcoming Son Candela, a group of young musicians who started their musical studies
of son jarocho at the Casa de Cultura de Tlacotalpan and have been performing
throughout Mexico since 2003.
Later that day, the musicians performed on the main stage of the Queens Theater in
the Park, where the Claire Shulman Playhouse was filled to its maximum capacity.
On August 10th Don Fallo Figueroa and Son Candela performed at the Leonard
Nimoy Thalia Theater at Symphony Space in Manhattan. The event was presented by
Americas Society and the Institute.
Don Fallo Figueroa and Son Candela at Symphony Space.
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LÁZARO VALIENTE
July - August
El Museo del Barrio, Goodbye Blue Monday, Pianos,
Zebulon, Nacotheque, Monkeytown and The Bell House.
Presented by El Museo del Barrio and the Mexican Cultural Institute, Lázaro Valiente,
gave a concert on the rooftop of the museum to an audience of more than 200
guests. Lázaro directs, composes and performs original pieces of music that are often
accompanied by video and guest musicians.
The concert was part of a series organized by Rooftop Films, which also screened
the documentary Los herederos by Mexican film director, Eugenio Polgovsky, that
same night. The documentary looks at child labor in Mexico and the project was
undertaken in collaboration with the Rotterdam International Film Festival.
Lázaro Valiente performed at various venues throughout the summer including
Goodbye Blue Monday, Pianos, Zebulon, Nacotheque, Monkeytown and The Bell House.
He also presented a screening of three silent films (scored by him) at Monkeytown in
Brooklyn, and gave an artist talk at Flux Factory in Long Island City. FERO at the MEANY Music Festival
October 1- 4. Various Venues
Mexican musician FERO and his band performed at the M.E.A.N.Y. (Musicians &
Emerging Artists in New York) Music Festival, thanks to support from he Mexican
Cultural Institute. The band played at The Delancey, The Bitter End and Klub 45. FERO
performs original musical compositions and interpretations that range from rock and
traditional Mexican music to Latin American beats.
76
traditional & special events
MEXICAN WORLD HERITAGE CITIES
Photography Exhibition
July 21
Octavio Paz Gallery at the Consulate General of Mexico in New York
The National Association of Mexican World Heritage Cities (Asociación Nacional de
Ciudades Mexicanas del Patrimonio Mundial, ANCMPM), the Consulate General of
Mexico in New York and the Mexican Cultural Institute presented an exhibit of 40
photographs depicting the 10 Mexican cities selected as world heritage sites by the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Photos by Cutberto García
The photographs portray the cities of Campeche, Mexico City, Guanajuato, Morelia,
Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, San Miguel Allende, Tlacotalpan and Zacatecas. The
exhibit was on view at the Octavio Paz Gallery, located at the Mexican Consulate and
was inaugurated by Amb. Rubén Beltrán and Jorge Ortega, President of the Mexican
Association of World Heritage Cities.
Amb. Rubén Beltrán and Jorge Ortega, President of the
Mexican National Association of World Heritage Cities.
78
MEXICO TODAY AT NASDAQ OMX
July 31
NASDAQ Headquarters
As part of the Mexican Consulate’s economic promotion ventures, the event “Mexico
Today” took place at the NASDAQ headquarters (National Association of Securities
Dealers Automated Quotations) on July 31st in collaboration with “Team Mexico,” a
group comprised of the US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce Northeast Chapter, the
Mexico Tourism Board, Proméxico and the Mexican Cultural Institute.
The objective of “Mexico Today” was to present Mexico as an important destination
for global investment and as one of the most attractive countries in terms of foreign
trade. The event celebrated Mexico’s numerous tourist sites, many of which are part
of the world heritage.
Photos by Cutberto García
Edward S. Knight, Vice President of NASDAQ OMX, inaugurated the event along with
Amb. Rubén Beltrán and Amb. Arturo Sarukhán, who led the NASDAQ OMX closing
ceremony.
Amb. Arturo Sarukhán and Edward S. Knight.
79
MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
September 12
Cadman Plaza, War Memorial
In celebration of the 199th Anniversary of Mexico’s Independence, the Consulate General of Mexico in New York and
the Mexican Cultural Institute presented a civic celebration lead by Amb. Rubén Beltrán, the Consul General of Mexico
in New York.
Photos by Cutberto García
The festivities were attended by diplomats, government representatives and the general public who enjoyed presentations
of Mexican folk music, dance and a Mariachi band. Performances by artists included: Ballet Folklórico of Mixteca
Organization, Mariachi Real de México, Radio Jarocho and the Villa-Lobos Brothers.
Amb. Rubén Beltrán at the Grito de Independencia.
The Villalobos Brothers.
Mariachi Real de México.
80
Senator Rafael Moreno Valle; Amb. Rubén Beltrán; Dr. Gabriel Rincón,
President of Mixteca Organization; Jaime Lucero, President of Casa Puebla;
Italia Guerrero, Borough Hall Latino Community Liaison; and Minister
Alejandro Bartolo, Consul General of Argentina in New York.
Ballet folklórico of Mixteca Organization.
INTERCULTURAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN LATIN AMERICA: Film Screening
May 26. Jolly Madison Hotel
The In Depth Dialogue with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) was held
during the 8th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and
featured representatives from the United Nations, Indigenous Organizations, The
Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office and the Gender, Human Rights and
Culture Branch of UNFPA, The Mexican Cultural Institute, the Foro Internacional de
Mujeres Indígenas (FIMI) and Enlace Continental. The event included the screening of
five films on reproductive health in indigenous communities in Latin America.
The films and related discussions reinforced the reproductive health programs
created for indigenous women. The programs aim to assure these women access to
health services and reduce the number of infant mortalities resulting from unassisted
births. After the screenings, a Q&A was held with the panelists to discuss campaigns
that provide indigenous groups with information on the benefits of giving birth in
hospitals.
HOLIDAY FOLK ART BENEFIT SALE
November 13-15. Park Slope, Brooklyn
With support from the Mexican Cultural Institute of New York and the Mexico Tourism
Board, Friends of Oaxacan Folk Art (FOFA) organized a holiday folk art sale to benefit
the artesanos of Oaxaca, Mexico.
Oaxaca’s treasured techniques and designs have been passed down through the
generations for hundreds of years. This vital, intergenerational connection has
ensured the continuation of indigenous traditions in a fertile spectrum of folk arts:
ceramics, woodcarving, textile weaving, candle making, tin work, basketry and
jewelry, to name a few.
Unfortunately, it has become increasingly difficult for Oaxaca’s artist families to
secure a livelihood through the pursuit of their crafts. Friends of Oaxacan Folk Art
was formed in June, 2007 in an attempt to help encourage and promote the work of
these financially troubled artists.
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MANO A MANO Celebrates La Independencia de México
September 17. Nolita House
With the support of the Mexican Cultural Institute, Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture
without Borders held a benefit at Nolita House for its fall and winter programs and
celebrating Mexican Independence Day. The event featured a special Mexican menu,
a live Mariachi band, Los Inmigrantes del Norte, the Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de
Nueva York and a live mural painting. DAY OF THE DEAD
October 30 - November 2
St. Mark’s Church In-the-Bowery
As part of a fall and winter program sponsored by the Mexican Cultural Institute,
Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture without Borders organized a free, four-day program
to celebrate the Day of the Dead.
The festivities began on October 30th with the installation of an altar dedicated to the
women murdered in the City of Juarez. The installation was followed by a procession
from Union Square to St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery. On October 31st, workshop
sessions were held and participants learned to make sugar skulls and pan de muerto.
On November 1st the play, “La carpa,” was presented and the closing party featured
a performance of the Mariachi Tapatío de Alvaro Paulino.
83
THE INSTITUTE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS
FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION DURING 2009:
92Y Tribeca
Alta Vista Films
Americas Society
Anthology Film Archives
BRIC Rotunda Gallery
Celebrate Brooklyn Music & Arts Festival
Celebrate Mexico Now Festival
Cinema Tropical
CN Management
Consulate General of Spain in New York
Creative Time
El Museo del Barrio
Eyelevel BQE
Fashion Institute of Technology
Film Movement
Film Society of Lincoln Center
Friends of Oaxacan Folk Art (FOFA)
Guggenheim Museum
Instituto Cervantes Nueva York
International Studio and Curatorial Program
Jazz Standard
Joe’s Pub
Jonathan Levine Gallery
Joyce Soho
King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center at NYU
Kokoji Press
La MaMa Experimental Theatre Company
LARK Play Development Center
Le Petit Versailles
Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors Festival
Live With Animals Gallery
Local Project
M.E.A.N.Y Music Fest
Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture Without Borders
McNally Jackson Books
Museo Carrillo Gil
Museum of Modern Art
New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE)
New Museum
New Paths in Music
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New York University, Tisch School of the Arts
Pen American Center
PINTA Art Fair
Printed Matter
Quad Cinema
Reyna Henaine Gallery
SOB’s
Swiss Institute
The City College of New York
The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Tribeca Film Festival
United States – Mexico Chamber of Commerce,
Northeast Chapter
Yeshiva University
SPONSORS
Dos Equis
National Fund for the Arts and Culture (FONCA)
Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mexico Tourism Board
ProMexico
CORPORATE DONORS
Aerovias de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
Americas Society, Inc.
Citigroup
Clemens Family Charitable Trust
Espinosa & Espinosa, LLP
Hipotecaria Mexicana
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Maria B. Campbell Associates, Inc.
Marina P. & Stephen Kaufman Foundation
Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mexico Tourism Board
Pangloss Productions LLC
Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships
Pisces Flower Shop
ProMexico Trade Commission of Mexico
Tinker Foundation, Inc.
INDIVIDUAL DONORS
Adriana Lopez
Amitav Ghosh & Deborah Baker
Anne M. Oconnor
Benjamin M. Marcus
Bruce Weber
Carol Dysinger
Cecilia E. Alvear
Dagoberto Gilb
Daniel Wilkison
Dirk Wittenborn
Doris Sommer
Eduardo Lago
Edwidge Danticat
Ernesto Mestre
Ezra E. Fitz
Fernanda Eberstadt
Fran C. Antman
Gail S. Levine
Gary Shteyngart
Gioconda Belli
Gregory J. Grandin
Harold Augenbraum
Helen Bedford
Honor Moore
Ignacio Magaloni
Jacqueline Loss
Jayne Anne Phillips
Jill Isenstadt
Jon Lee Anderson
Jorge Luis Volipi Escalante
Jorge Pinto
Judith S. Hottensen
Laurel Gonsalves
Lawrence J. Siems
Lynn Nesbit
Manil Suri
Margo V. Perkins
Marilyn Johnson
Marisha Pessl
Mary Cybulski & John Tiltori
Mary Ellen Sanger
Mary L. Gaitskill
Nan A. Graham
Natalia Perez
Natasha E. Schmidt
Patrick J. McGrath
Paul J. Vidich
Paul L. Berman
Peter Canby & Ann Putnam
Rigoberto Gonzalez
Rivka R. Glachen & Aaron W. Harnly
Robert Pierpint & Claudia Pierpont
Ruth B. Mendez
Sandra Cisneros
Sarah. V. Kerr
Selma Dabbagh
Sharon Delano
Steven A. Schapiro
Suki Kim
Suzanne J. Levine
T. Nicholas Dawinoff
Terry Stacey
Veronica V. Chambers
Victoria Redel
85
FINANCIAL INFORMATION – MEXICAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE 2009
January 1 – December 31, 2009
FUND BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008
$ 365,150.25
Contributed Income:
Goverment
Corporate and Individual
Total
$ 39,436.75
$ 111,404.08
INCOME
$ 150,840.83
Earned Income:
Generated Income Earned Interest Investment
Ad space for Consulate magazine
Total
$ 352,068.00
$
342.44
$ 26,525.00
$ 378,935.44
TOTAL INCOME
$ 529,776.27
Inkind contributions:
$ 388,449.06
GRAND TOTAL INCOME
$ 918,225.33
TOTAL INCOME + 2008 FUND BALANCE
86
$ 1,283,375.58
EXPENSES
Programs and Events:
Cultural Programs
$ 240,035.17
General Expenses:
Administration
Photo & Copy Service
Total
$ 53,821.61
$ 228,008.29
TOTAL EXPENSES
$ 521,865.07
Inkind expenses:
$ 388,449.06
GRAND TOTAL EXPENSES
$ 910,314.13
NET INCOME
$ 7,911.20
$ 281,829.90
FUND BALANCE FOR DECEMBER 31, 2008 $
373,061.45
Note: These totals are based on an accrual basis report for the fiscal year 2009.
These numbers may differ from the audited report of 2009. 87
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