I would have posted this sooner but I only just got to see the exhibit myself this past weekend. It is probably THE most innovative exhibition I have ever been to.
There is a show at the Museo Franz Mayer of work by Pierre et Gilles. If you aren't familiar with their work, they start with photographs, print them on canvas, manipulate the surfaces with paint, and frame them in ornate custom made frames. Their images are hyper-saturated colorful explosions, high camp, frequently homoerotic, and play with historical, literary, religious and mythological iconography.
The Franz Mayer would seem to be an unlikely host for such an exhibit, as their primary collection is 16th-19th century Mexican decorative arts, including objects like upholstered chairs and wooden chests of drawers.
The curator, Abraham Villavicenio, launched an amazing act of syncretism in uniting the work of Pierre et Gilles with the Franz Mayer's permanent collection. He interspersed the duo's photos within the display of tables, chairs, candlesticks, textiles, silver domestic and religious objects, paintings and mirrors in such a way that these late 20th/early 21st century photos appear as if they were part of the permanent collection. So much so that when I first entered the exhibit, I actually thought I was touring the permanent collection and had missed the entrance to the Pierre et Gilles show. They produced an exhibition catalog for the show which I am certain will remain available for some time, if you want to get some of the experience after the fact. I'll post some of the photos I took of the exhibit here later as they're still on my phone.
Franz Mayer - Pierre et Gilles Construction of the Symbol
There is a show at the Museo Franz Mayer of work by Pierre et Gilles. If you aren't familiar with their work, they start with photographs, print them on canvas, manipulate the surfaces with paint, and frame them in ornate custom made frames. Their images are hyper-saturated colorful explosions, high camp, frequently homoerotic, and play with historical, literary, religious and mythological iconography.
The Franz Mayer would seem to be an unlikely host for such an exhibit, as their primary collection is 16th-19th century Mexican decorative arts, including objects like upholstered chairs and wooden chests of drawers.
The curator, Abraham Villavicenio, launched an amazing act of syncretism in uniting the work of Pierre et Gilles with the Franz Mayer's permanent collection. He interspersed the duo's photos within the display of tables, chairs, candlesticks, textiles, silver domestic and religious objects, paintings and mirrors in such a way that these late 20th/early 21st century photos appear as if they were part of the permanent collection. So much so that when I first entered the exhibit, I actually thought I was touring the permanent collection and had missed the entrance to the Pierre et Gilles show. They produced an exhibition catalog for the show which I am certain will remain available for some time, if you want to get some of the experience after the fact. I'll post some of the photos I took of the exhibit here later as they're still on my phone.
Franz Mayer - Pierre et Gilles Construction of the Symbol
