Deconstructing Frida Kahlo

One of my favorite painting by Frida Kahlo is her self-portrait entitled Las Dos Fridas completed in 1939. As one visits the museums around Mexico City, paintings by Kahlo are relatively scarce. However, if you venture out to Chapultepec Park you'll find the very enjoyable Museo de Arte Moderno that houses the Kahlo masterpiece. This museum also contains canvasses by Dr. Atl, Rivera, Siqueiros, Orozco, and O'Gorman.

In this particular painting, Frida presents two sides of her personality. In the top image, she is in a traditional Tehuana costume and represents the woman Diego respected and loved. The bottom image shows her in a Victorian wedding dress and represents the Frida who Diego abandoned. The hearts of the two Fridas are exposed. This is a convention she repeatedly used to express her pain.

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I've always enjoyed Cinco de Mayo here in the States and usually try to catch dinner in a local Mexican restaurant or cook up some delicious recipe at home from south of the border. But, do you know what the significance of this day is in Mexican history?

http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3407-cinco-de-mayo-what-is-everybody-celebrating

 

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Palacio de Bellas Artes

The Palacio de Bellas Artes

Built around 1905, the Fine Arts Museum is one of the showcase buildings in Mexico City. Located next to Alameda Central park, it houses some of the finest art found in the city. In addition, the Ballet Folclórico de México regularly performs here on Wednesdays and Sundays. From the Palacio, it's just a short walk down Madero Street to the Zocalo.

A Touch Of Modern Art In Front Of The Palacio

On Sundays after 10 am, one can visit the museum for free. Between the park, numerous museums, and its proximity to the Catedral Metropolitana and other city center sites, one can easily wile way the better part of a weekend.

Choc Mool Meets Art Decco

Inside the museum, one is treated to the mural masterpieces of Rivera, Orozco, and Siqueiros Above all of them, Rivera's Man at the Crossroads stands out. This piece was recreated after the original one commissioned for the Rockefeller Center was thoughtless destroyed due to anticapitalist themes.

 

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Orozco and Cortés

I've mentioned my visits to the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso before, but always in the context of seeing Rivera's first great Mexico City mural La Creación. However, there are many other very good reasons for a visit to more than just the amphitheater here. Other contemporaries of Rivera also contributed murals to the walls of this former 16th century Jesuit college. In particular, José Clemente Orozco's portrait of the famous conquistador Cortés and his mistress, La Malinche, can be found underneath one of the staircases on the main patio. Works by muralist David Siqueiros also adorn the many walls of this structure. Further, regular temporary exhibitions are hosted here as well as bi-monthly recitals in the amphitheater.

 

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Mixing The New With The Old

From a number of perspectives, a visit to the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso is always worthwhile. As it is located just two blocks east of the Zocalo, it's a convenient stop on any itinerary of the historical district. First, in the Simon Bolivar Amphitheater, you can see Diego Rivera's first DF mural "La Creación." Taking in a Sunday afternoon concert in this theater is a real treat. Second, the Colegio also is the home of many other murals by contemporaries of Rivera such as Orozco and Siqueiros. Finally, as you can see in his photo, regular temporary exhibitions find a showing here. Inside one of the courtyards, a modern sculpture installation challenges the classic lines of this 300 year old colonial structure. No admission charge on Tuesdays.

 

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The "Full Siqueiros"

 

In my blog on my visit to the University of Mexico, I shared with you a segment of the Siqueiros mural. It's so impressive that I thought I give you the "Full Monte" this week. Students playing soccer in its shadow probably have little idea as to its stature in the world of art. Siqueiros is one of the greatest of the Mexican muralists along with Rivera and Orozco. This mural Ascent of Culture was constructed in the early to mid-1950s. As was true for the other muralists as well, Siqueiros' work represents issues of concern to the common people.

 

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UNAM - The University of Mexico

Today' travels took me to the southern part of the city to visit the University of Mexico. Wow, what a huge campus with thousands of students moving about (I imagine there were just as many in classes). I strolled around the campus for close to two hours (most of the time lost). But, it was worth i!

Mural on the Faculty of Medicine

I was very impressed with the amount of green space available for students to hang out, play soccer, or even study. Over 325,000 students call UNAM home. The key building, muraled on all four side is the university's Rectory. Set among walk ways and grassy areas, this building commands everyone to notice it.

The Rectory

As if this wasn't enough, the muralist Siqueiros, created a politically inspired three-dimensional mural in its shadow.

Section of the Siqueiros Mural

However, the main reason for today's travels was to hopefully get a glimpse of the Rivera mosaic mural on the Olympic Stadium. Although I couldn't get inside the stadium complex, the mural is so prominent on the entrance to the stadium that I was more than pleased to see it from my only available perspective (from outside the front gates).

The 1968 Olympic Stadium

For any fan of Rivera's work, this is a real gem. It's not central in any tour of Mexico City, but if you don't mind a long metro ride and some solid walking, the journey is well worth the effort. I now have yet another favorite Rivera mural in the city. It was also of interest to see where Tommy Smith and John Carlos protested for Black Power after winning olympic medals in track and field.

 

Closeup of Rivera's Olympic Stadium Mural

 

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