Mexico’s largest contemporary art fair returns after pandemic

Zona Maco, the largest contemporary art fair in Mexico, experiences a “wonderful reunion” with the public after two years of pause due to the covid-19 pandemic, which forced it to suspend its face-to-face activities, say visitors and exhibitors.

“People want to go out, they want to know what is happening, it has been a wonderful reunion and we hope that this will be a successful fair for everyone,” Ricardo Reyes, director and founder of one of the more than 200 galleries participating in the event that opened this Wednesday, told AFP.

This is the 18th edition of the fair that welcomes exhibitors and galleries from 25 countries and is made up of four samples simultaneous: contemporary art, design, photography and so-called “living room”, dedicated to the exhibition and sale of art and furniture produced before the 1960s.

The event, held at a convention center in western Mexico City, also includes a program of conversations about the current art world, as well as parallel activities in other museums and galleries in the Mexican capital.

“Art must always be seen directly and be able to feel, understand the real colors as they are, feel people with their anxiety of vision to feel the art closer. Yes, I really needed it,” recognizes Paloma Villamil, a 40-year-old photographer, as she travels through the large exhibition spaces.

For Sashie Hernández, founder of the Cuban gallery La Sindical, the return of Zona Maco brings with it “a very special energy.”

“It’s like returning to a space that artists and gallery owners need to keep working,” says the 50-year-old exhibitor.

jla / ag

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