I can only describe my recent escape from the New York City winter with one word: “joy.” Lat week was my first time to ZONA MACO and to Mexico altogether, and I have to admit that it exceeded my expectations.

The fair organized an extensive cultural program in and around Mexico City, creating a particular sense of community of local galleries and top international galleries from the U.S. and Europe. Dealers from Africa and Asia were missing, but I am sure that they will soon be joining this Central American fair.

All the major Mexican players like kurimanzutto, Galería OMR, and others planned their schedule to coincide with the fair and debuted amazing shows like Gabriel Orozco (at kurimanzutto) and the group show “The Queen Falls.” (at OMR) curated by Anissa Touati and Marc-Olivier Wahler. This made for a vibrant and enthusiastic first day of the art week where old friends and new gathered.

Outside the main fair were two notable satellite fairs: Material and Salon Acme. Material had a feeling similar to Liste in Basel and NADA in Miami and New York. Salon Acme felt similar to Spring/Break Art Show in New York, offering a unique opportunity to discover the local, emerging scene in a youthful setting.

At ZONA MACO, even if sales seemed slow from our discussions with gallerists, the works on view represented the appetite and position the fair has created for itself in the stronger but still fragile Central American First economy. The political situation, the new Trump administration, and the state of the peso did not help…

Overall, the fair was a real eye-opening experience, seeing first-hand the strong, proud, and culturally rich southern neighbor of the United States. A tour at the National Museum of Anthropology anchored that reality.

The Museo Tamayo gala and the Museo Jumex opening were key social moments of the art week where everyone had the pleasure to compare notes over a beautiful dinner made even friendlier with the pairing of strong tequila.

Mexico, we’ll see you next year…

Material

Postcard from ZONA MACO 2017