Founder of Zonamaco Fairs on Mexico City and its Art Scene
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Mexico City, the largest metropolis in North America, is sinking, as much as one meter a year, but it’s reputation as an art capitol continues to skyrocket.ZONAMACO, founded in 2002 by Zelika Garcia, has done more than its part to draw international attentiFounder of Zonamaco Fairs on Mexico City and its Art Scene
Mexico City, the largest metropolis in North America, is sinking, as much as one meter a year, but it’s reputation as an art capitol continues to skyrocket.ZONAMACO, founded in 2002 by Zelika Garcia, has done more than its part to draw international attention to the art market in Mexico City and Latin America at large. Since its inception, ZONAMACO has blossomed into four distinct fairs covering different aspects of the art world, from photography to design, and, in its sixteenth year, boasts more than 180 exhibitors from 22 countries at its signature Contemporary art fair. In an interview with BLOUIN ARTINFO, Garcia talks about the history of the art fair, the culinary delights of Mexico, and the countless cultural opportunites Mexico City has to offer. ZONAMACO will take place at Centro Citibanamex February 6-10.What can visitors expect from this year’s edition of ZONAMACO?The 16th edition of ZONAMACO will gather more than 180 galleries and exhibitors from 22 countries of America, Europe and Asia. For the second consecutive year, the curator of ZONAMACO SUR (ZMS) section will be Kiki Mazzuchelli [and will] focus on the idea of the “performative.” For the first year, the curator of [the] New Proposals section will be Jose Esparza Chong Cuy. This section will present artistic practices that, as the title suggests, aim to change frameworks. Rather than focusing on the time-based definition of “new,” this section will showcase work by artists that point towards imaginative and experimental ways of living and thinking.What are you most excited for personally?This year we present an exhibition space called SAMPLE curated for the first time by Jose Esparza Chong Cuy who also curated the section: New Proposals.How has ZONAMACO evolved from what you initially envisioned in 2002?Since 2002, my main objective has been to bring art to the public and promote the specialization of collectors among Mexican and foreign attendees. Nowadays ZONAMACO is the most important art fair in Latin America featuring international Contemporary and Modern art. ZONAMACO now is a platform with four different fairs: we organize ZONAMACO Mexico Arte Contemporaneo simultaneously with ZONAMACO Diseño in February and ZONAMACO Salon del Anticuario in parallel with ZONAMACO Foto.What compelled you to expand ZONAMACO into other sectors like design, antiques, and photography?Throughout these years the fair has grown in direct relation with the international scene. Since its opening, ZONAMACO has become a multidisciplinary event with Contemporary art, design, antiques and photography. By featuring these specific areas, ZONAMACO has responded to the way institutions, galleries, and exhibitions specialize, in Mexico and abroad.How did you first get involved in the art world?I’ve always loved art and I’ve always been into learning about aesthetic and design. I studied Arts at Monterrey University (Mexico) because I wanted to be an artist. Afterwards, I started ZONAMACO and that has been my main project for the last 18 years.How has the art market in Latin America changed since you first got involved?Latin America has a great strength that is increasing. Each country in the region has its own projects and initiatives that undoubtedly contribute to the visibility and incorporation of Latin American artists to the international scene.What helped make Mexico City into the arts destination it is today?Mexico City is a place where everything happens, it’s very international, has countless cultural venues, the food is spectacular, [and] it’s a city with great artistic production. [T]hat’s why, this is an art destination and the best place for events like ZONAMACO, where we can build a network among actors in both local and international scenes.Are you from Mexico City originally? If not, what drew you to the city?I’m from Monterrey. I moved to Mexico City in 2003 because I liked the location. This city is one of the largest metropolitan areas of the world.Is there a local dish that visitors must try? If so where’s the best place to go for it?I recommend eating at Fonda el Refugio, which has a menu with classic Mexican dishes. Also, I like Contramar, [which has] great Mexican style seafood; El Bajio is the best real Mexican; Pujol is fancy Mexican and their taco bar is a real culinary experience, as well as Mercado de San Juan!What neighborhoods do you find most exciting in terms of art and culture?Talking about art, San Miguel Chapultepec, Condesa, and Roma neighborhoods are the main spots in the city.What is your favorite art and non-art museum in the city?In Mexico, the Museo Anahuacalli, the Museum of Anthropology, and the Museo Universitario de Arte Contemporaneo (MUAC) are some of my favorites.ZONAMACO will take place at Centro Citibanamex, Mexico City, February 6-10.The interview appears in the February 2019 edition of BlouinShop magazine. Subscribe on www.blouinsubscriptions.comhttps://www.blouinartinfo.com/ Founder: Louise Blouin Read more