Saturdays in San Angel

After visiting many of the standard sites around the city, spend a Saturday strolling around San Angel. In addition to some fine eateries, most of your entertainment will be had visiting with local artists and craftspersons.

Plaza San Jacinto offers great opportunities to purchase some lovely fine art offered by local artists.

Sculpture, paintings & photographs!

 

Tribute to Diego in Plaza San Jacinto

Not far from the Plaza is the studio museum of Diego Rivera. Take the time to leisurely walk the narrow, cobblestone streets of San Angel.

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As I may prefer wandering from village to village when in Mexico, many of my favorite spots can be found near water. In particular, I have come to love the beaches around Huatulco. Check out a few of these hidden gems in this article.

Mexico's Hidden Beaches

 

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Museo Casa del Risco

On the north side of Plaza San Jacinto is the pleasant Museo Casa del Risco. Set inside an 18th century building, the two story fountain (pictured) is the key attraction. Additionally, one can see an interesting collection of 14th to 19th century European and Mexican art from the private collection of the Fabela family. The fountain itself consists of seashells, Talavera pottery, and Chinese porcelain. A quick visit here can be easily included on any trek through the San Ángel district. A number of good eateries an coffee shops can also be found in this part of town. Admission to the museum is free.

 

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A Little Artistic License Interpreting DF

Just this past weekend, I discovered the MobileMonet app. What fun this one is! From the examples that I've posted here, you can see how you can create a drawing-like image from a photograph. The photo below was shot as I was strolling around San Angel one Saturday afternoon. The app allowed me to take the photo and turn it into a colored pen-line drawing.

Flower Pots in San Angel

This next image came from a street just behind the Catedral Metropolitana. Again, applying the app to my photograph, I came up with an image with an entirely different feel to it.

Finally, here's a different "artistic" perspective on the Ex Convento de San Jacinto in the San Angel district.

Ex Convento de San Jacinto

 

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The Doors & Windows Series 3

While wandering around San Angel, I came upon this rather plain entryway framed perfectly by this flowering tree. Light, shadow, and color all seem to capture the stark, simple beauty of what so many of us enjoy about Mexico. I am set wondering about who might emerge from this door and where they will head only later to return to life behind these walls.

 

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Inside the World of Diego Rivera

Following my guidebook, I strolled through the cobblestone streets of San Angel on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. My goal was to reach Diego and Frida's Studio/Museum. Narrow streets and lovely colonial architecture characterize this up-scale neighborhood.

Inside Diego's Studio

One can easily imagine what life was like in the San Angel house for the artists. Many of Diego's creations are still in place just as they were when he worked here from the 1930s until his death in 1957. The whimsical paper-mâché figures are amazing and so representative of Mexican culture and art.

The Amazing World Created By Diego

The museum is free to teachers with a valid ID. However, there is a nominal charge if you want to take photographs.

 

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Ok, Recognize This Place?

Architecturally, this is one of the coolest places in Mexico City. It was designed by architect and painter Juan O'Gorman for "famous" friends of his in the 1930s. If you saw a recent film staring Selma Hayek, this is where a number of scenes were filmed. Alright, I've probably already given it away. If you guessed that the famous friends were Diego and Frida, you're correct. This is the outside of the Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera Y Frida Kahlo. Each had a separate house and studio here at the residence in San Angel. After their divorce, Frida then moved to the Casa Azul in Coyoacan. Inside, one can view Diego's studio just as it was when he worked in it.

 

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Small Treasures Around Every Corner

On my visit to he San Angel neighborhood, I took a few minutes to stroll through the Casa del Risco just on the north side of Plaza San Jacinto. Throughout this wonderful colonial building now free museum, delightful objects and art appeared where least expected. This arrangement of flowers and the Virgin was just one of the treats the Casa had to offer. In a future posting, I'll share with you a photo of the amazing two-store fountain also found inside.

 

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