inspiring us: Mexico City

Mexico City, a bastion of art and culture, has been on our minds as we have been working on one of our main trend groups for Spring 2018, "Mexicali". From its architecture and formidable art collection to its cuisine and vibrant neighborhoods, the multi-faceted culture and traditions of this remarkable city are exhilarating.

scroll through the pictures below for some wonderful scenes of Mexico City and its local art scene

The blending of old and new, Mexican and European, is what makes Mexico City such a fascinating place and nothing illustrates this better than the architecture of the city. The complex history of Mexico is emphasized in Templo Mayor, where visitors can view relics of the Aztec empire in plain view of the The Metropolitan Cathedral, which is a melding of Neoclassical, Renaissance, and Baroque styles of architecture and also happens to be the largest cathedral in the Americas. The cathedral itself and the surrounding areas are on the footprint of what is largely considered to be one of the most sacred temples of the Aztec world, Tenochtitlán; supposedly Aztecs believed this to be the literal center of the universe. In contrast, the Palacio De Bellas Artes is a celebration of the many cultural changes of Mexico. The structure itself exemplifies classic European architecture while its interior, adorned with Mexican flora and fauna motifs, showcases pre-Hispanic Mexico as well as artwork by esteemed Latino artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. To be honest, there are too many wonderful architectural works to possibly do justice to all the city has to offer.

Here in Mexico City one can get a sense of the vital role that art played in the forming of a modern Mexican identity during the tumultuous period of the Mexican Revolution. Artist activists like Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Jose Clemente Orozco conveyed the frustration and civil unrest of their people as well as their hopes and dreams. Diego Rivera's murals at la Secretaria de Educacion Publica are a top sight to see in the city, as are those of Jose Clemente Orozco in the Escuela Nacional Preparatoria - painted in the 1920's, they portray the stark reality of the revolution. For a more intimate peek into the lives of these fascinating people, one can visit Frida Kahlo's house (now a museum), Casa Azul, a vibrant blue building featuring 1950s architecture.

And, we can't feature Mexico City without looking at its street food and flowers stalls. Food stands have lined streets and squares of Mexico City for centuries. At these ubiquitous vendors, one can purchase such traditional Mexican dishes such as chapulines and gorditas as well as many other delicacies. Fruit & flower stands sell a wide variety of tropical fruits and beautiful blossoms; the colorful displays are feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Street vendors give the walkways of Mexico City a unique flavor, but to experience the full spectrum of today’s Mexican cuisine, don't miss one or two of their renowned high-end restaurants where local ingredients and modern international techniques combine with avant garde design. In every neighborhood the sights, sounds and smells reflect the colorful vibrancy of Mexico City.

Ok, so Mexico City is a great destination, but WHY is it inspiring?

Zona MacoDesign boutiques, studios, and galleries are booming in the capital city and it is plain to see that the culture itself is the catalyst for these new developments. The city’s public contemporary art museum, the Museo Tamayo, hosts of-the-moment exhibitions of international artists, and Mexico City’s contemporary art fair, (coming up in February!), draws art enthusiasts from around the globe. The same convergence of patronage, investment, and artistic energy that gave rise to the great works in the years after the Mexican Revolution seems to be happening here and now. New artists' collectives and exhibition spaces are constantly opening and proud to call Mexico City home. It isn't only the art museums, festivals and galleries that are benefiting, though. Architecture is also enjoying a golden moment as new innovative buildings projects are on the rise, and as we mentioned above, there are some really exciting things happening in the culinary scene.

From the city's architecture and art to its cuisine and cultural traditions, there are so many wonderful and colorful things to be inspired by and to fuel our own endeavors for Spring 2018 development and beyond.

Have we have gotten you inspired to take a look at what we have been up to?

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Sources:

Loney Planet | Britannica | Aiga | GoogleBooks | Trip Advisor | Yale Globalist | Conde Nast Traveler | Viator | Dazed | Culture Trip | NY Times

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