Alfonso Reyes at the Museo Nacional de Arte
Mexican intellectual Alfonso Reyes Ochoa tremendously impacted Latin American culture of the 20th century. His short story “La Cena” is credited as forefather of the surrealism and magical realism that, through Borges, García Marquez, Cortázar, and points beyond, came to dominate 20th C. Latin American literature.
Philosopher, diplomat, and intellectual, Reyes believed strongly that the new Latin American culture ought be centered in the arts. As a member of the group Ateneo de la Juventud (Anthem of Youth), he sought to forge a coherent Mexican identity by reconciling the colonial mezcla of divergent cultural traditions, from the European philosophers of the Enlightenment to indigenous religious and historical heritages.
Currently showing at the Museo Nacional de Arte, Alfonso Reyes y Los Territorios del Arte (Alfonso Reyes and the Territories of Art), takes an interesting approach to visual art. The show combines Reyes’ writings on art with the works he spoke of.
Both older, European paintings Reyes discoursed on (Rembrandt, El Greco, Goya, Picasso, etc), and younger, Mexican-revolutionary artists who were influenced by the conceptual tenets of Reyes’ thinking (Diego Rivera, Daniel Vázquez Díaz, Antonio Rodríguez Luna etc.) are on display. By drawing direct connections between the written word and visual arts, the show emphasizes the importance of cultural dialogue between artists and thinkers of all stripes.
Conceptual curator Arturo Lopez has implemented a philosophy of his own: bring the connection between writer & artist, audience & art full circle. Through interactive displays, visitors are invited to offer input and ideas. Thus the art that influenced the writer who influenced the artists influences new writers still, emphasizing the continuity and interconnectedness of ideas, influence, and creation.
Alfonso Reyes y Los Territorios del Arte shows at the Museo Nacional de Arte in Mexico City through 14th February, 2010.
Editorial Note: This piece was written to be published while the show was still going, though never appeared online on account the publication going out of business.
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